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Travel News for the Week of May 21

By May 21, 2023Blog

Hi Everyone,

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.  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.

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.