Blog

Hi Everyone,

More and more countries are opening their doors to travelers.  The latest country to open this past week was Australia and d.  Almost every country has requirements that must be met before you arrive, and these requirements change frequently.   One of the sites that I have used ever since the world began to open is Sherpa-Move Freely.    Once you enter their site, you input your vaccination statues, when and where you wish to travel, and you will see the requirements for travel.  Of course, you can also check the www.travel.state.gov      You will get good information from either site.

Cruise lines have also begun to loosen restrictions.  Both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have eliminated the mask mandate at most venues for vaccinated passengers.   At this point, crew will still be required to wear a mask.  There are still testing requirements in effect.

Spirit and Frontier airlines have proposed a merger.   They may have a difficult time getting anti-trust approval from the Justice department so we’ll see what happens.

The CEO of Delta airlines recommended to the Dept of Justice that any person convicted of a disruption on board a flight should be added to the national “do not fly” list.

 

 

Hi Everyone,

I am seeing more good news regarding travel each week.   The Council of the European Union’s latest recommendations for their member countries went into effect February 1.  The recommendation asks member countries to base restrictions on individual travelers instead of the country of origin.   This would mean that a traveler’s COVID-19 vaccination, test, or recovery status should be the key determinant.  Those rules are now in effect.  Most people will need to complete the E.U. Digital COVID Certificate online.  The online certificate now has a  validity of nine months (or 270 days) once 14 days have passed after the completion of of the primary vaccination cycle.  If more than nine months have passed since your last vaccine dose, you will be required to get a booster shot to maintain your certificate.   This recommendation should simplify the rules and provide clarity to travelers.   Although this is still just a recommendation, several countries  in the European Union have already adopted them and have aligned their policies with this recommendation.   It is important to know that these recommendations are for the European Union countries.  If you plan to visit a country outside the E.U. Schengen Area, you may also need to show a negative test result, even if vaccinated.

One of the U.S. policies that has been of concern to travelers is the requirement that all U.S. Citizens flying home must take a COVID test the day before they fly.  Several travel associations, including American Society for Travel Advisors, have requested that COVID tests should be dropped for citizens who are fully vaccinated.   The process has caused a lot of confusion and some anxiety for travelers and tour operators.    Hopefully, this requirement will be removed in the near future.

In other news, Delta is conducting a trial in which customers have the opportunity to check their carry on bag for free instead of stowing it in the cabin.  The trial is being carried out in Boston.  This is an attempt to help Delta understand how fewer carry ons can positively impact the customer experience.   Delta typically charges $30 for the first checked bag, and they made $1.03 billion in bag fee revenue in 2019 according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.  Bag fees also cause more flyers to bring carry-ons aboard which slows the boarding and exit processes and leads to longer aircraft turn times.    It will be interesting to see how this pilot program goes for Delta.  I don’t think I am alone in being unwilling to put my carry on  with my computer in it underneath the plane.

 

 

Hi Everyone,

Last week  I told you about Collette Vacations’s upcoming Black Friday sale.   My business development rep and friend, Ed McKenna, will host a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, November 16, at 9:30am to let us talk about these special discounts.   I’d love to see some of you on the Zoom call.   Here is the link.  Just copy and paste.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__collette.zoom.us_meeting_register_tJIucOyvrD8rHNCR3dgSaLhFVRyqkWj4VGlq&d=DwIGaQ&c=F7sDt_DpXZayiu1mgdrqUQ&r=8qunlZGPmwIB83RfOwpY3MaNSOcpWm9mQlx8blc6E5g&m=pRp2kKsl3TtJbN-d2a-ELEMkFh3zULbTzSVqEdXtY66ybv8MsAbyN0mXdL0JeAFD&s=kQQY2nl6gJNpTcYBTABuQC8iDakPH9EQaZ5Zk49b_D0&e=

Please know that there is no obligation and no high pressure.  It is just an informational meeting. Hope you can join us!

The cruise lines have been ramping up and we are seeing more ships coming online.   Carnival just announced the extension of their COVID protocols which include sailing with only vaccinated passengers at least through March, 2022.  As you know, I just came off a Princess ship (one of Carnival’s sister brands) and I was very impressed with their protocols.  In addition to requiring vaccination and testing before boarding, the crew was absolutely diligent about sanitizing tables between passengers in the dining areas, buffets are served by the crew,  and even the tenders that carried us to a private island had all seats and railing disinfected after every run.   I learned  that the crew is no longer allowed to go ashore at the ports to lessen the chances of exposure and spread to passengers.

Even though the world is opening, companies are still implementing COVID protocols to help keep people safe.   I noted some of the protocols that Princess implemented on our cruise.  Collette Vacations just announced that participants on all domestic tours must be vaccinated and that requirement will last at least through April , 2022.  There are already updated vaccine requirements for international travel. 

 

Hi Everyone,

I am finishing an amazing cruise on the Enchanted Princess, Princess Cruise Line’s newest ship.   Skip and I were lucky enough to be invited on the shakedown cruise of this beautiful ship.    We were instructed to experiment with the Medallion, enjoy the dining venues and entertainment, and just give feedback to Princess about the experiences. We did attend a seminar and participate in a video for the naming ceremony of the Enchanted Princess but had some time to enjoy the ship, as well as a day at Princess’ private island.  There are no paying passengers aboard this ship as it is pretty much invited travel agents and Princess employees.  Princess now has 6 ships back in service with the remainder of their fleet scheduled to  gradually resume sailing by 2022.  A few interesting stats: Since the return to service, Princess has sailed 55 voyages with 86,000 passengers onboard,  served 2.4 million drinks,  served 87 thousand pizzas and made 192 thousand dining reservations.  At this point, Princess is only allowing vaccinated passengers onboard who must be tested no sooner than 2 days before boarding.  Masks in public areas are required.  Hand washing stations are located at the entrance to all dining venues and are monitored for compliance.

It is no secret that the COVID vaccine card  can be fraudulently reproduced.   It is a crime to do so and we have been made aware that travel agents are being approached by clients to book travel using an illegally reproduced card.   Travel agents could be prosecuted if they book travel knowing that their client was going to use the card illegally.  It would be hard for me to believe that any of our clients would attempt something like this but just for the record, we have zero interest in booking travel with anyone who wants to circumvent any type of rule.

Tour operators are gearing up for Black Friday sales.  Collette Vacations will have an amazing Black Friday Sale that will run from November 15-30, and include discounts from 10-20% on select tours.   Collette is one of my preferred suppliers.  My business development rep and friend, Ed McKenna, will host a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, November 16, at 9:30am to let us talk about these discounts.  I’ll post the Zoom information in next week’s blog.  I hope you will put this on your calendars.  You don’t  have to sign up ahead of time, but I’d love to know if you will attend.   Just shoot me an email at lynn@fullertravelservice.com

 

Hi Everyone,

I am sure you have read the news regarding updated rules for entering the US, both for American Citizens and tourists.   The new rules change the testing time for inbound citizens who are unvaccinated and returning to the US.  Unvaccinated travelers must provide a negative COVID test taken within one day of their return.   Vaccinated citizens must provide a negative  COVID test 72 hours prior to their return, the same as it has been.

For tourists, only fully vaccinated, non-citizens will be allowed to enter starting November 8 and must provide proof of a negative COVID test taken within three days of travel.

The White House also announced that airlines will now be required to check all passengers’ proof of vaccination as well as collect contact tracing information for all passengers prior to travel for international travel.

 

Hi Everyone,

Hawaii’s Governor announced this week that visitors are welcome to resume visitation starting November 1. “Beginning November 1, we want to invite and encourage fully vaccinated visitors and residents to travel for business or leisure transPacific and inter-island.”  All travelers must still register their trips on the SafeTravels Website.  Vaccinated travelers or those that present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival can avoid quarantine.

There is no doubt that the world is opening for travel.   I have people booking cruises, all-inclusives. tours, and independent travel.    I am really excited to help my clients with their travel plans.    There is, however, much to think about when traveling outside the United States.  It is important to learn the entry rules for each country as they all differ just a little.  The rules also change frequently.  We also have to think about the rules for connecting through a country to get to your final destination.    All of these things can seem a bit overwhelming but it’s just a matter of paying attention to details and then making sure that you have the proper documentation.   I have had several people travel to Europe and they had a great time because they had what they needed.   The good news is that if you travel to Europe, you won’t find the normal crowds.   All of my travelers reported enjoying places like the Louvre, Versailles, Prague without tons of people jostling for space.

We are seeing QR codes (Quick Response) everywhere these days.  Those are the little square shaped grids you see on almost everything.     If you are not familiar with QR codes, they operate much like a barcode but have a great deal more info on them. Many restaurants are replacing their menus with QR codes. Some stores are even allowing you to pay with a QR code so you don’t have to touch anything.   To use a QR code, you just open the camera app on your smart phone and make sure the code is in the little box you’ll see, then click and the information should pop up.  Travel sites are beginning to use QR codes to give you info about potential destinations and trips.  I would definitely recommend that you don’t just click on every QR code you see. There are fake sites so always click on things from websites that you know to be valid.

2022-23 Tours

April 4-15, 2022    Lynn and Lidia’s Sicily and Southern Italy tour with Sant’ippolito!   Join us as we fly to the Sicilian Capital of  Palermo.  where we will spend 2 nights exploring the city.  There will be an opportunity to take optional tours to Cefalu, Monte Pellegrino, and the goal market.    We will then travel to Taormina by way of  Agrigento  to visit the Valley of the Temples.   Once in Taormina we will take a walking tour of the Corso Umbreto and on to the Piazza for a panoramic view of the bay.  The next day, explore Taormina at leisure or maybe take an optional trip to Mt. Etna and Savoca, home of the “Godfather”.   We will then cross  the Straits of Messina and on to Calabria.   Here you will have an opportunity to visit  your family villages  located outside Cosenza.    After a stay in Calabria we head to Matera, Alberabello, and San Giovanni Rotundo to see the shrine of Padre Pio, and then make our way to Rome for our departure.  Call for availability.  Trafalgar 

April 20-29, 2022 Tulips and Windmills during Tulip Time See everything from tulips to windmills on this journey during the season of rebirth.   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. Then visit the 19 UNESCO-designated windmills of Kinderdijk to better understand how these mighty structures have been used to protect the Low Country from ever-rising water levels for hundreds of years. This ship is almost full.    Uniworld River Cruises

May 11-20, 2022   Shades of Ireland   This is one of my favorite trips: Enjoy Dublin,Kilkenny, Waterford, Killarney, Ring of Kerry,  the Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, and Galway. Ride a jaunting car, kiss the Blarney Stone,  and visit a family farm. Our last night’s stay is in a castle.  I have a few spaces left if you are interested.    Will need to return unsold seats to Collette next month. Collette Vacations    http://gateway.gocollette.com/link/101529 

May 15-26, 2022  Alpine Lakes and the Glacier Express with Oberammergau Passion Play    This tour is being rescheduled from 2020.   I can only hold the few tickets I have for 30 days.   Your journey will begin at the beautiful Lake Maggiore.  You will then head to Zermatt, Switzerland.    The Glacier Express will take you into the Alps.  You’ll visit the beautiful towns of St. Moritz, Innsbrook and Salzburg. Enjoy a special Mozart Concert and its the Neuschwanstein Castle before heading to the famed Oberammergau Passion Play.   You will return home from Munich.    The passion play will not be repeated until 2030.  Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/817395     Collette Vacations

June 18-26, 2022  Spectacular Canadian Rockies   We will begin this awesome tour in Vancouver, and travel to Victoria Island, Kamloops, Jasper National Park, the Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, and Banff National park.  Trafalgar

July Alaska Cruisetour (dates vary)  Take an 11 day southbound cruise tour aboard Princess Cruises. Fly into Fairbanks, visit Denali Wilderness Lodge, Denali McKinley Lodge and then take the train to our cruise ship for a 7 night southbound cruise.   Experience the Hubbard Glacier, cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, and visit Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver. This is an amazing cruise tour.     Princess Cruises

August 7-15   7 day round trip Venice, Croatia, andGreek Isles with Santorini, and  Mykonos. Call for pricing and availability. Norwegian Cruise Line

New!   September 7-15,  2022   Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land    Join us as we embark on an extraordinary journey.   We will begin our journey in Tel Aviv  and then travel to the port city of Jaffa on our way to Caesarea. We next visit Nazareth, Cana, and our day in Tiberias for 2 nights.  We will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll make a stop at the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum.  We will visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and much more.  Optional extension to Petra.    Fr. John Klein will accompany us on this pilgrimage.   Ready for booking!     Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1059364

September 18-30, 2022 Rhine, Moselle, and Blissful Baden-Baden    Spend 2 nights in the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden and then board your ship for a cruise up the Rhine and Moselle rivers.  We will visit Strasbourg, Speyer, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Boppard, Cochem Bernkastel and Trier before returning home from  Frankfurt. Uniworld Cruises

October 23-29, 2022   Southern Charm    Join us on this short 6 night tour as  we visit the beautiful cities of Charleston, Savannah. Visit St. Simon’s Island and spend a night on Jekyll Island.  End our tour in Jacksonville, Florida before heading home.  Collette Vacations    https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1063914

2023

January 17-February 1   Panama Canal      This is a full transit of the Panama Canal through the new locks from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale.  Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Locks transit, and Cartagena, Colombia before disembarking in Ft. Lauderdale.

April 29- May 10, 2023     Discovering Poland     We’ll visit Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Wroclaw, and Krakow.   Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/902378      Collette Vacations

June 17-23, 2023New!! Viking  Cruise down 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.  Believe it or not, I could not get cabins for 2022.   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. Right now air is being offered for $399 per person out of Detroit.   Let me know if you are interested.  1 cabin remaining.

*Please note that Skip and I usually escort all our tours.  Because of the number of rescheduled tours in 2021-22 it will be impossible for us to be on every tour in 2022.  We will escort as many as we can,  but whether we are on the tour or not, we will make sure that you have everything you need for your tour and will work hard to insure you are well taken care of by your tour operator or cruise line.

Have a great week!

Lynn

 

 

Hi Everyone,

The news this week that the United States will open their land and sea borders to vaccinated international travelers should give a boost to the economy as the travel industry is a multi billion dollar industry.   It should also result in more flight itineraries to international destinations for Americans.  It has been very difficult to find decent air pricing or routes as there are just not enough options.

Cruise lines are gradually bringing back their ships a few at a time and are sailing out of several ports in the US.  They are sailing with enhanced protocols due to COVID-19 but so far things appear to be going well.  Most of the ships are not sailing at full capacity. Vaccinations, testing, and masks are required.  The cases that have arisen have been dealt with quickly to prevent spread of the disease.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted these reminders about when not to tip on cruise ships.  Cruise Critic had a piece about cruise line tipping this week:

1. The Bar. The price of drinks on a cruise line already has the tip built in.  No additional tipping is necessary.  (Some cruisers feel as thought they get better service if they tip the bartender at the beginning of the cruise.)
2. Specialty Restaurant    When you reserve at a specialty restaurant and pay the extra fee, you don’t need to worry about tipping.  It’s already in that extra cost.
3. The Spa    You should always check your receipt at the spa.  Many cruise lines add that gratuity to your final bill.
4. Kid’s Club   No need to tip the staff when you pick up your children from the Club.
5. Ship’s Officers, Cruise Director, or Maintenance People: No need to tip.

Most cruise lines add the gratuities for your cabin steward and restaurant waitstaff to your final bill.  That gratuity is shared with the dining room, buffet and specialty restaurant wait staff, cooks, laundry staff, and the general housekeeping staff that cleans the ship’s common areas,.   If you have been especially happy with your service from a particular individual, no one will refuse an extra gift at the end of the cruise.- Cruise Critic, 10/14/21

Every ten years, the people of Oberammergau, Germany perform the Passion Play, a tradition that dates back hundreds of years. The villagers promised God that if their village was spared from a plague,  they would perform the ‘Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ’ every ten years.  The play usually takes place in the years that end in “0” but because of COVID it was moved to 2022.  The nest scheduled performance will be 2030.  We do have a group going to Oberammergau and there is limited availability.  This video shows a bit of the performance:

Oberammergau Passion Play 2022

 

2022-23 Tours

April 4-15, 2022    Lynn and Lidia’s Sicily and Southern Italy tour with Sant’ippolito!   Join us as we fly to the Sicilian Capital of  Palermo.  where we will spend 2 nights exploring the city.  There will be an opportunity to take optional tours to Cefalu, Monte Pellegrino, and the goal market.    We will then travel to Taormina by way of  Agrigento  to visit the Valley of the Temples.   Once in Taormina we will take a walking tour of the Corso Umbreto and on to the Piazza for a panoramic view of the bay.  The next day, explore Taormina at leisure or maybe take an optional trip to Mt. Etna and Savoca, home of the “Godfather”.   We will then cross  the Straits of Messina and on to Calabria.   Here you will have an opportunity to visit  your family villages  located outside Cosenza.    After a stay in Calabria we head to Matera, Alberabello, and San Giovanni Rotundo to see the shrine of Padre Pio, and then make our way to Rome for our departure.  Call for availability.  Trafalgar 

April 20-29, 2022 Tulips and Windmills during Tulip Time See everything from tulips to windmills on this journey during the season of rebirth.   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. Then visit the 19 UNESCO-designated windmills of Kinderdijk to better understand how these mighty structures have been used to protect the Low Country from ever-rising water levels for hundreds of years. This ship is almost full.    Uniworld River Cruises

May 11-20, 2022   Shades of Ireland   This is one of my favorite trips: Enjoy Dublin,Kilkenny, Waterford, Killarney, Ring of Kerry,  the Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, and Galway. Ride a jaunting car, kiss the Blarney Stone,  and visit a family farm. Our last night’s stay is in a castle.  I have a few spaces left if you are interested.    Will need to return unsold seats to Collette next month. Collette Vacations    http://gateway.gocollette.com/link/101529 

May 15-26, 2022  Alpine Lakes and the Glacier Express with Oberammergau Passion Play    This tour is being rescheduled from 2020.   I can only hold the few tickets I have for 30 days.   Your journey will begin at the beautiful Lake Maggiore.  You will then head to Zermatt, Switzerland.    The Glacier Express will take you into the Alps.  You’ll visit the beautiful towns of St. Moritz, Innsbrook and Salzburg. Enjoy a special Mozart Concert and its the Neuschwanstein Castle before heading to the famed Oberammergau Passion Play.   You will return home from Munich.    The passion play will not be repeated until 2030.  Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/817395     Collette Vacations

June 18-26, 2022  Spectacular Canadian Rockies   We will begin this awesome tour in Vancouver, and travel to Victoria Island, Kamloops, Jasper National Park, the Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, and Banff National park.  Trafalgar

July Alaska Cruisetour (dates vary)  Take an 11 day southbound cruise tour aboard Princess Cruises. Fly into Fairbanks, visit Denali Wilderness Lodge, Denali McKinley Lodge and then take the train to our cruise ship for a 7 night southbound cruise.   Experience the Hubbard Glacier, cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, and visit Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver. This is an amazing cruise tour.     Princess Cruises

August 7-15   7 day round trip Venice, Croatia, andGreek Isles with Santorini, and  Mykonos. Call for pricing and availability. Norwegian Cruise Line

New!   September 7-15,  2022   Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land    Join us as we embark on an extraordinary journey.   We will begin our journey in Tel Aviv  and then travel to the port city of Jaffa on our way to Caesarea. We next visit Nazareth, Cana, and our day in Tiberias for 2 nights.  We will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll make a stop at the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum.  We will visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and much more.  Optional extension to Petra.    Ready for booking!     Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1059364

September 18-30, 2022 Rhine, Moselle, and Blissful Baden-Baden    Spend 2 nights in the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden and then board your ship for a cruise up the Rhine and Moselle rivers.  We will visit Strasbourg, Speyer, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Boppard, Cochem Bernkastel and Trier before returning home from  Frankfurt. Uniworld Cruises

October 23-29, 2022   Southern Charm    Join us on this short 6 night tour as  we visit the beautiful cities of Charleston, Savannah. Visit St. Simon’s Island and spend a night on Jekyll Island.  End our tour in Jacksonville, Florida before heading home.  Collette Vacations    https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1063914

2023

January 17-February 1   Panama Canal      This is a full transit of the Panama Canal through the new locks from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale.  Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Locks transit, and Cartagena, Colombia before disembarking in Ft. Lauderdale.

April 29- May 10, 2023     Discovering Poland     We’ll visit Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Wroclaw, and Krakow.   Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/902378      Collette Vacations

June 17-23, 2023New!! Viking  Cruise down 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.  Believe it or not, I could not get cabins for 2022.   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. Right now air is being offered for $399 per person out of Detroit.   Let me know if you are interested.  1 cabin remaining.

*Please note that Skip and I usually escort all our tours.  Because of the number of rescheduled tours in 2021-22 it will be impossible for us to be on every tour in 2022.  We will escort as many as we can,  but whether we are on the tour or not, we will make sure that you have everything you need for your tour and will work hard to insure you are well taken care of by your tour operator or cruise line.

Have a great week!

Lynn

 

Hi Everyone,

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Hyatt had purchased Apple Leisure Group. This group includes among  several others, Apple Vacations and Funjet Vacations.  We then learned that Wyndham is  collaborating with the Playa Group of resorts.  Marriott has added 20 resorts to their Autograph Collection, and Hilton is planning to open resorts as well.  Time will tell if this is a good thing.  I hope we don’t see the end to resorts that have their own character and reflect the character of the region they are located in and are not left with cookie cutter resorts.

Many people wonder about the difference between economy and premium economy.  Premium economy can go by different names such as  comfort+, premium, World Traveler Plus, etc.    Premium economy is an attempt to bridge the gap between economy and business class.   It is definitely less expensive than business class but deciding whether it’s worth it or not can be difficult.  Realize that the experience will be closer to economy than business.   Typically, you won’t see larger seats or different meals but it is different on different airlines.  It may be nothing more than a couple inches more legroom and a complimentary drink.   It can be, depending on the route and airline, under a $100 to upgrade or it could be almost $1000 more than economy.    Everyone has to decide for themselves whether premium economy is worthwhile.   If you are on a long haul flight and can gain a few more inches of comfort, I personally think it is worthwhile.  If you are taking a 2 hour flight, probably not.  When booking air,  it doesn’t hurt to take a look at all your options.

Next fall we will take a short tour called Southern Charms.  There is more info below in the tour section but Collette has a 1 minute video to introduce the tour.  Great little trip.

 

2022-23 Tours

April 4-15, 2022    Lynn and Lidia’s Sicily and Southern Italy tour with Sant’ippolito!   Join us as we fly to the Sicilian Capital of  Palermo.  where we will spend 2 nights exploring the city.  There will be an opportunity to take optional tours to Cefalu, Monte Pellegrino, and the goal market.    We will then travel to Taormina by way of  Agrigento  to visit the Valley of the Temples.   Once in Taormina we will take a walking tour of the Corso Umbreto and on to the Piazza for a panoramic view of the bay.  The next day, explore Taormina at leisure or maybe take an optional trip to Mt. Etna and Savoca, home of the “Godfather”.   We will then cross  the Straits of Messina and on to Calabria.   Here you will have an opportunity to visit  your family villages  located outside Cosenza.    After a stay in Calabria we head to Matera, Alberabello, and San Giovanni Rotundo to see the shrine of Padre Pio, and then make our way to Rome for our departure.  Call for availability.  Trafalgar 

April 20-29, 2022 Tulips and Windmills during Tulip Time See everything from tulips to windmills on this journey during the season of rebirth.   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. Then visit the 19 UNESCO-designated windmills of Kinderdijk to better understand how these mighty structures have been used to protect the Low Country from ever-rising water levels for hundreds of years. This ship is almost full.    Uniworld River Cruises

May 11-20, 2022   Shades of Ireland   This is one of my favorite trips: Enjoy Dublin,Kilkenny, Waterford, Killarney, Ring of Kerry,  the Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, and Galway. Ride a jaunting car, kiss the Blarney Stone,  and visit a family farm. Our last night’s stay is in a castle.  I have a few spaces left if you are interested.    Will need to return unsold seats to Collette next month. Collette Vacations    http://gateway.gocollette.com/link/101529 

May 15-26, 2022  Alpine Lakes and the Glacier Express with Oberammergau Passion Play    This tour is being rescheduled from 2020.   I can only hold the few tickets I have for 30 days.   Your journey will begin at the beautiful Lake Maggiore.  You will then head to Zermatt, Switzerland.    The Glacier Express will take you into the Alps.  You’ll visit the beautiful towns of St. Moritz, Innsbrook and Salzburg. Enjoy a special Mozart Concert and its the Neuschwanstein Castle before heading to the famed Oberammergau Passion Play.   You will return home from Munich.    The passion play will not be repeated until 2030.  Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/817395     Collette Vacations

June 18-26, 2022  Spectacular Canadian Rockies   We will begin this awesome tour in Vancouver, and travel to Victoria Island, Kamloops, Jasper National Park, the Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, and Banff National park.  Trafalgar

July Alaska Cruisetour (dates vary)  Take an 11 day southbound cruise tour aboard Princess Cruises. Fly into Fairbanks, visit Denali Wilderness Lodge, Denali McKinley Lodge and then take the train to our cruise ship for a 7 night southbound cruise.   Experience the Hubbard Glacier, cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, and visit Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver. This is an amazing cruise tour.     Princess Cruises

August 7-15   7 day round trip Venice, Croatia, andGreek Isles with Santorini, and  Mykonos. Call for pricing and availability. Norwegian Cruise Line

New!   September 7-15,  2022   Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land    Join us as we embark on an extraordinary journey.   We will begin our journey in Tel Aviv  and then travel to the port city of Jaffa on our way to Caesarea. We next visit Nazareth, Cana, and our day in Tiberias for 2 nights.  We will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll make a stop at the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum.  We will visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and much more.  Optional extension to Petra.    Ready for booking!     Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1059364

September 18-30, 2022 Rhine, Moselle, and Blissful Baden-Baden    Spend 2 nights in the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden and then board your ship for a cruise up the Rhine and Moselle rivers.  We will visit Strasbourg, Speyer, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Boppard, Cochem Bernkastel and Trier before returning home from  Frankfurt. Uniworld Cruises

October 23-29, 2022   Southern Charm    Join us on this short 6 night tour as  we visit the beautiful cities of Charleston, Savannah. Visit St. Simon’s Island and spend a night on Jekyll Island.  End our tour in Jacksonville, Florida before heading home.  Collette Vacations    https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1063914

2023

January 17-February 1   Panama Canal      This is a full transit of the Panama Canal through the new locks from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale.  Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Locks transit, and Cartagena, Colombia before disembarking in Ft. Lauderdale.

April 29- May 10, 2023     Discovering Poland     We’ll visit Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Wroclaw, and Krakow.   Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/902378      Collette Vacations

June 17-23, 2023New!! Viking  Cruise down 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.  Believe it or not, I could not get cabins for 2022.   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. Right now air is being offered for $399 per person out of Detroit.   Let me know if you are interested.  1 cabin remaining.

*Please note that Skip and I usually escort all our tours.  Because of the number of rescheduled tours in 2021-22 it will be impossible for us to be on every tour in 2022.  We will escort as many as we can,  but whether we are on the tour or not, we will make sure that you have everything you need for your tour and will work hard to insure you are well taken care of by your tour operator or cruise line.

Have a great week!

Lynn

 

Hi Everyone,

Disney World just kicked off their 50th anniversary celebration which will last for the next 18 months.   Remember that if you are planning a trip to Disney World  in the near future you must make reservations with whatever parks you want to visit.   The parks are capacity controlled  so it’s important to get those reservations.

Last week I reported on a successful Paris river cruise for a group of my travelers.   They had a great time, felt safe and were happy with the protocols the cruise line had put in place.  This week I have a small group traveling out East for a color tour.    I will report on their trip when they return.  It does appear that the world is opening, and with proper safety measures, people are enjoying travel again.

Iceland seems to be a bucket list destination for many travelers.   Here is a short video from one of Collette’s tours.   It’s worth a couple of minutes:

Because we sponsor so many tours (see below) people sometimes forget that 50% of our business is sending families, couples, or individuals on vacation.  This week I worked on spring break trips for several families, and arranged  cruises for others.   I hope you will think of Fuller Travel Service for your next trip, even if it is not a group tour or cruise.

2022-23 Tours

April 4-15, 2022    Lynn and Lidia’s Sicily and Southern Italy tour with Sant’ippolito!   Join us as we fly to the Sicilian Capital of  Palermo.  where we will spend 2 nights exploring the city.  There will be an opportunity to take optional tours to Cefalu, Monte Pellegrino, and the goal market.    We will then travel to Taormina by way of  Agrigento  to visit the Valley of the Temples.   Once in Taormina we will take a walking tour of the Corso Umbreto and on to the Piazza for a panoramic view of the bay.  The next day, explore Taormina at leisure or maybe take an optional trip to Mt. Etna and Savoca, home of the “Godfather”.   We will then cross  the Straits of Messina and on to Calabria.   Here you will have an opportunity to visit  your family villages  located outside Cosenza.    After a stay in Calabria we head to Matera, Alberabello, and San Giovanni Rotundo to see the shrine of Padre Pio, and then make our way to Rome for our departure.  Call for availability.  Trafalgar 

April 20-29, 2022 Tulips and Windmills during Tulip Time See everything from tulips to windmills on this journey during the season of rebirth.   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. Then visit the 19 UNESCO-designated windmills of Kinderdijk to better understand how these mighty structures have been used to protect the Low Country from ever-rising water levels for hundreds of years. This ship is almost full.    Uniworld River Cruises

May 11-20, 2022   Shades of Ireland   This is one of my favorite trips: Enjoy Dublin,Kilkenny, Waterford, Killarney, Ring of Kerry,  the Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, and Galway. Ride a jaunting car, kiss the Blarney Stone,  and visit a family farm. Our last night’s stay is in a castle.  I have a few spaces left if you are interested.    Collette Vacations    http://gateway.gocollette.com/link/101529 

May 15-26, 2022  Alpine Lakes and the Glacier Express with Oberammergau Passion Play    This tour is being rescheduled from 2020.   I can only hold the few tickets I have for 30 days.   Your journey will begin at the beautiful Lake Maggiore.  You will then head to Zermatt, Switzerland.    The Glacier Express will take you into the Alps.  You’ll visit the beautiful towns of St. Moritz, Innsbrook and Salzburg. Enjoy a special Mozart Concert and its the Neuschwanstein Castle before heading to the famed Oberammergau Passion Play.   You will return home from Munich.    The passion play will not be repeated until 2030.  Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/817395     Collette Vacations

June 18-26, 2022  Spectacular Canadian Rockies   We will begin this awesome tour in Vancouver, and travel to Victoria Island, Kamloops, Jasper National Park, the Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, and Banff National park.  Trafalgar

July Alaska Cruisetour (dates vary)  Take an 11 day southbound cruise tour aboard Princess Cruises. Fly into Fairbanks, visit Denali Wilderness Lodge, Denali McKinley Lodge and then take the train to our cruise ship for a 7 night southbound cruise.   Experience the Hubbard Glacier, cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, and visit Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver. This is an amazing cruise tour.     Princess Cruises

August 7-15   7 day round trip Venice, Croatia, andGreek Isles with Santorini, and  Mykonos. Call for pricing and availability. Norwegian Cruise Line

New!   September 7-15,  2022   Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land    Join us as we embark on an extraordinary journey.   We will begin our journey in Tel Aviv  and then travel to the port city of Jaffa on our way to Caesarea. We next visit Nazareth, Cana, and our day in Tiberias for 2 nights.  We will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll make a stop at the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum.  We will visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and much more.  Optional extension to Petra.    Ready for booking!     Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1059364

September 18-30, 2022 Rhine, Moselle, and Blissful Baden-Baden    Spend 2 nights in the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden and then board your ship for a cruise up the Rhine and Moselle rivers.  We will visit Strasbourg, Speyer, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Boppard, Cochem Bernkastel and Trier before returning home from  Frankfurt. Uniworld Cruises

October 23-29, 2022   Southern Charm    Join us on this short 6 night tour as  we visit the beautiful cities of Charleston, Savannah. Visit St. Simon’s Island and spend a night on Jekyll Island.  End our tour in Jacksonville, Florida before heading home.  Collette Vacations    https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1063914

2023

January 17-February 1   Panama Canal      This is a full transit of the Panama Canal through the new locks from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale.  Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Locks transit, and Cartagena, Colombia before disembarking in Ft. Lauderdale.

April 29- May 10, 2023     Discovering Poland     We’ll visit Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Wroclaw, and Krakow.   Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/902378      Collette Vacations

June 17-23, 2023New!! Viking  Cruise down 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.  Believe it or not, I could not get cabins for 2022.   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. Right now air is being offered for $399 per person out of Detroit.   Let me know if you are interested.  1 cabin remaining.

*Please note that Skip and I usually escort all our tours.  Because of the number of rescheduled tours in 2021-22 it will be impossible for us to be on every tour in 2022.  We will escort as many as we can,  but whether we are on the tour or not, we will make sure that you have everything you need for your tour and will work hard to insure you are well taken care of by your tour operator or cruise line.

Have a great week!

Lynn

 

 

Hi Everyone,

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that the large cruise lines will no longer be allowed to depart from Venice.  The cruise lines have been working to find alternate docking facilities in the area.  Venice is continuing to try to find a solution to the overcrowding in their city.   They are instituting a tourist and reservation system along with cameras to try to manage the crowds that continue to arrive in this fragile area.  Just as the cruise lines have been adjusting, tour operators are doing the same thing.  If you are planning a visit to Venice without the benefit of a tour or cruise operator you will need to plan ahead.

The airlines are still requiring masks be worn on all flights.  Many airlines are no longer allowing fabric masks, instead requiring medical or surgical masks.  Most domestic airlines are still allowing fabric masks but when flying, check the airlines’ website for current information.

If you are planning a trip to Europe in the near future, you can take some comfort in the fact that, after a shaky start, countries in the European Union have really increased their vaccine distribution. Many, if not most, of those countries are on par with the US vaccination rate or in many cases,  exceed the US rate.   Countries have put measures in place for visitors so that they can protect their citizens and their infrastructure.    Those measures continue to change but travel is not only possible, it can happen safely.  It is just very important to keep abreast of the changing rules and respectful of the countries’ policies while there.  We currently have a small group traveling in France right now.   I will share their perspectives with you when they return.

Current Trips 2021-2023*

We continue to shuffle tours around as the world situation changes.   If you have questions about any of the following trips, don’t hesitate to contact me.   One thing that is important to remember is that when booking groups, I must have a minimum number of people for that group.    I cannot keep seats indefinitely.   Usually, I must turn in unused seats 5-6 months in advance, depending on the tour operator or cruise line.  That has led to some people being really disappointed if they did not book early as my inventory is limited to a specific time frame.   Please book early if you intend to travel with one of our groups.

2022

April 4-15, 2022    Lynn and Lidia’s Sicily and Southern Italy tour with Sant’ippolito!   Join us as we fly to the Sicilian Capital of  Palermo.  where we will spend 2 nights exploring the city.  There will be an opportunity to take optional tours to Cefalu, Monte Pellegrino, and the goal market.    We will then travel to Taormina by way of  Agrigento  to visit the Valley of the Temples.   Once in Taormina we will take a walking tour of the Corso Umbreto and on to the Piazza for a panoramic view of the bay.  The next day, explore Taormina at leisure or maybe take an optional trip to Mt. Etna and Savoca, home of the “Godfather”.   We will then cross  the Straits of Messina and on to Calabria.   Here you will have an opportunity to visit  your family villages  located outside Cosenza.    After a stay in Calabria we head to Matera, Alberabello, and San Giovanni Rotundo to see the shrine of Padre Pio, and then make our way to Rome for our departure.  Call for availability.  Trafalgar 

April 20-29, 2022 Tulips and Windmills during Tulip Time See everything from tulips to windmills on this journey during the season of rebirth.   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. Then visit the 19 UNESCO-designated windmills of Kinderdijk to better understand how these mighty structures have been used to protect the Low Country from ever-rising water levels for hundreds of years. This ship is almost full.    Uniworld River Cruises

May 11-20, 2022   Shades of Ireland   This is one of my favorite trips: Enjoy Dublin,Kilkenny, Waterford, Killarney, Ring of Kerry,  the Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, and Galway. Ride a jaunting car, kiss the Blarney Stone,  and visit a family farm. Our last night’s stay is in a castle.  I have a few spaces left if you are interested.    Collette Vacations    http://gateway.gocollette.com/link/101529 

May 15-26, 2022  Alpine Lakes and the Glacier Express with Oberammergau Passion Play    This tour is being rescheduled from 2020.   I can only hold the few tickets I have for 30 days.   Your journey will begin at the beautiful Lake Maggiore.  You will then head to Zermatt, Switzerland.    The Glacier Express will take you into the Alps.  You’ll visit the beautiful towns of St. Moritz, Innsbrook and Salzburg. Enjoy a special Mozart Concert and its the Neuschwanstein Castle before heading to the famed Oberammergau Passion Play.   You will return home from Munich.    The passion play will not be repeated until 2030.  Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/817395     Collette Vacations

June 18-26, 2022  Spectacular Canadian Rockies   We will begin this awesome tour in Vancouver, and travel to Victoria Island, Kamloops, Jasper National Park, the Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, and Banff National park.  Trafalgar

July Alaska Cruisetour (dates vary)  Take an 11 day southbound cruise tour aboard Princess Cruises. Fly into Fairbanks, visit Denali Wilderness Lodge, Denali McKinley Lodge and then take the train to our cruise ship for a 7 night southbound cruise.   Experience the Hubbard Glacier, cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, and visit Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver. This is an amazing cruise tour.  Sounds like the lodges may be full on this one.     Call for availability for other dates.    Princess Cruises

August 7-15   7 day round trip Venice, Croatia, andGreek Isles with Santorini, and  Mykonos. Call for pricing and availability. Norwegian Cruise Line

New!   September 7-15,  2022   Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land    Join us as we embark on an extraordinary journey.   We will begin our journey in Tel Aviv  and then travel to the port city of Jaffa on our way to Caesarea. We next visit Nazareth, Cana, and our day in Tiberias for 2 nights.  We will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll make a stop at the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum.  We will visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and much more.  Optional extension to Petra.    Ready for booking!     Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1059364

September 18-30, 2022 Rhine, Moselle, and Blissful Baden-Baden    Spend 2 nights in the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden and then board your ship for a cruise up the Rhine and Moselle rivers.  We will visit Strasbourg, Speyer, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Boppard, Cochem Bernkastel and Trier before returning home from  Frankfurt. Uniworld Cruises

October 23-29, 2022   Southern Charm    Join us on this short 6 night tour as  we visit the beautiful cities of Charleston, Savannah. Visit St. Simon’s Island and spend a night on Jekyll Island.  End our tour in Jacksonville, Florida before heading home.  Collette Vacations    https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1063914

2023

January 17-February 1   Panama Canal      This is a full transit of the Panama Canal through the new locks from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale.  Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Locks transit, and Cartagena, Colombia before disembarking in Ft. Lauderdale.

April 29- May 10, 2023     Discovering Poland     We’ll visit Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Wroclaw, and Krakow.   Check out the itinerary at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/902378      Collette Vacations

June 17-23, 2023New!! Viking  Cruise down 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.  Believe it or not, I could not get cabins for 2022.   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. Right now air is being offered for $399 per person out of Detroit.   Let me know if you are interested.  1 cabin remaining.

*Please note that Skip and I usually escort all our tours.  Because of the number of rescheduled tours in 2021-22 it will be impossible for us to be on every tour.  We will escort as many as we can,  but whether we are on the tour or not, we will make sure that you have everything you need for your tour and will work hard to insure you are well taken care of by your tour operator or cruise line.

Have a great week!

Lynn