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Travel News for the week of June 4

By June 4, 2023Blog

Hi everyone,

You may remember when the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris burnt to the ground in 2019.    France is on schedule to finish the rebuilding of this landmark by the end of next year.   The intent is to finish the inside in the same manner as the original medieval construction using the same type of hand tools that were used originally.   Power tools would certainly finish the job much quicker but the aim is to pay tribute to the craftsmanship of the original builders and to ensure that the centuries-old art of hand-fashioning wood lives on.-adapted fromTravel Weekly

This past week the largest airport in Hawaii had to shut several gates down.  The reason:  a bed bug infestation! The gates were deep cleaned and have now reopened but worrying about bedbugs in an airport had not been on my list of worries.

I read an interesting article this week about insurance for rental cars.    A couple rented a car and while the car was in their possession it was vandalized to the tune of $5400.  They weren’t too worried as the credit card they used had coverage for that type of thing.  However, when they turned in their claim, they were denied.  The reason:  the card was not jointly owned and the rental car had the spouse as the primary driver.   He was not on the credit card.    When you rent a car, it is really important to look at the rental agreement and make sure who the primary driver is and if that person is the credit card holder.-Fodor’s

Thoughts and prayers this week for the people of India who lost hundreds of people and injured many more in the horrible rail crash.

 

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

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 

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

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.

 

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