Skip to main content

Travel News for the Week of July 16

By July 16, 2023Blog

Hi Everyone,

The United States is in the midst of a very dangerous heat wave.   We are not alone.  If you are planning travel to Europe yet this summer make sure you take precautions.   Italy just issued an “extreme” heatwave alert expected to bring record temperatures.   In Greece, the Acropolis was closed for the second straight day due to heat.   Spain and Portugal are also experiencing record temps.   In some locales, temps will rise to about 118 degrees F.

For those of you traveling to Mexico in the near future and worried about safety, the Mexico military is guaranteeing your safety in the areas of Cancun.  Not sure how you guarantee anything like this but Mexico has invested in securing the region with new equipment and tools to keep residents and visitors protected.   There have also been legal battles fought between taxis, buses, and Uber.  Uber just won the right to operate in Mexico but there have been blockades and stoppages of Uber vehicles.  I would strongly suggest that you pre-arrange transfers with existing transfer companies so that you don’t encounter an unpleasant situation.     –adapted from Travel Pulse

In a sign of continued strength for cruise travel, Holland America Line bookings on July 11 were higher than on any day in the brand’s 150 year history.  Booking revenues also achieved the line’s single day record.  Most of the bookings were for 2024 and 2025.  I can tell you that I don’t doubt this for a minute.  have been trying to book people into Alaskan cruises and the ships are already very full for next year.   It appears that cruising is back in a big way. If you are anticipating a cruise, I would not wait too long.

Fuller Travel Tours, 2023

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.     Uniworld https://youtu.be/fTlHgKQXKJI

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.  Collette   https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1149854

New July 10,20, 2024 Princess Alaska Cruisetour.   This is a magnificent cruise tour. Stay three nights on land to enjoy the beauty of Denali State Park and Denali National Park.  Then take a bubble top train toWhittier to board  the beautiful Sapphire Princess for a seven night cruise.   Cruise Glacier Bay and visit the Alaskan towns of Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.  Princess

August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean

September 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.-Collette

September 28-October 7, 2024    Best of Greece    Take advantage of group pricing on this amazing cruise.   Visit the ports of Athens, Santorini, Ephesus, Turkey, Mykonos, Volos, Thesaloniki, and Kavala before disembarking in Athens.-Celebrity Infinity.

NewDecember 1-9, 2024   Budapest to Passau Christmas Markets River Cruise!  Join us as we embark our ship in Budapest, where  Christmas  has been celebrated for a 1000 years. Wander through the market on  Vorosmarty Square, admiring the porcelain, and the pastries  baked over an open fire.   In Bratislava, stalls abound with traditional Slovakian Christmas items such as spiced ginger cookies  and figurines made from corn husks.  We will enjoy a special “Taste of Christmas” in Vienna. Glorious baroque architecture, delightful concerts, and amazing scenery will make the Christmas season unforgettable.   I only have 10 rooms on a “soft” hold which means if the cruise line needs the rooms, they will take them back so if you are interested please let me know asap.-Uniworld

Spring 2025  Paris and Normandy River Cruise.  Dates will be announced soon.