Have I Got A Deal For You!

Virtuoso Travel Week On Tour - Los Angeles

Unique Champagne Service, courtesy of the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel

We are back home after a few days in Los Angeles at Virtuoso's Travel Week on Tour, during which nearly 150 professional Travel Advisors met with 80+ travel suppliers, in a "speed-dating" format - followed up by a day of professional development (with a good measure of fun in the mix.)

One of the questions I frequently am asked is "Are there any good deals out there?" So fresh from meeting with so many suppliers, many of whom are currently offering promotions, here you are!

• Silversea - Currently offering free air for many itineraries, including Europe and Australia (and reduced business class fares) - must book by March 31, 2019
• Lindblad Expeditions has several promotions including free/reduced air for some itineraries, 50% discount for first child and second child free on Alaska itinerary, complementary bar tab and gratuities on several sailings
• Seabourn Two-Week Sale - March 25th - $500 deposit Verandah Suite Upgrades (subject to availability,) Onboard credit
• Windstar Cruises Beyond Ordinary Savings Event - Guests choose between onboard credit, prepaid gratuities or free wifi. Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation - and has themed cruises with world renowned-chefs onboard...
• Norwegian Cruise Line - Free at Sea - guests choose up to five offers including Beverage Package, Specialty Dining Package, Internet Package, $50/passenger credit toward shore excursions in each port, 3rd & 4th guest sail free. (Promotion is limited to specific sailings)
• Royal Caribbean - 30% off - must book by March 31, 2019 - applies to sailings between 4/1/2019 and 4/1/2020
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises has two Alaska offers: Limited Time Alaska Savings, with up to a $1,500 per suite discount, or Ultimate Alaska combining Alaska Cruise with Rocky Mountaineer land adventure; savings of up to $6,000 per person
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has a free air promotion coming up
• AmaWaterways has a Fly Free to Europe program available with select sailings; must be booked by September 30

If you are interested in further exploring any of these offers, please let me know - I'd be delighted to match you with a wonderful experience!

Happy Travels,

Joan

Golfin' On The River

What are you looking forward to as spring approaches? I know that many of you play golf, and also that many of you are interested in river cruising. Wikipedia says: “Golf, unlike most ball games, cannot and does not utilize a standardized playing area, and coping with the varied terrains encountered on different courses is a key part of the game.” Golfer friends of mine delight in playing courses new to them while traveling. But did you know that there are river cruise companies which offer rounds of golf as excursions during their European itineraries? How special would it be to combine a river cruise with hitting the links in totally new destinations? This article introduces a couple of options to do just that! FORE!

PS - if you have golfer friends who might be interested in combining a river cruise with a unique golf experiences, please share this article with them! Thanks!

Challenging Golf Courses. On the River. In Europe?

Yes Please! With the May 2019 introduction of the AmaMagna on the Danube River, a comprehensive Golf Concierge program will be available to cruise guests. This program includes transfer from the ship to the country clubs, transfer of your golf clubs from course to course, cleaning the clubs, greens fees and golf carts, and some meals at the course. The itinerary includes games at up to five courses (depending upon whether the guest chooses a land package before or after the river cruise.) Courses included are:

• Pannonia Golf and Country Club, in Hungary: https://golfpannonia.hu/en
• Penati Golf Resort, Bratislava: https://www.penatigolfresort.sk/en/
• Diamond Country Club, Austria: https://www.countryclub.at/
• Hartl Resort, Germany: https://www.quellness-golf.com/en/golf-resort.html
• Albatross Golf Resort, Czech Republic: https://albatross.cz/cs/

The Concierge Golf Program is offered on 21 sailings during 2019 - and if not everyone is a golfer, not to worry - the daily activities offered on board are available for the non-golfers in your party.

If that's just too much golf, Uniworld offers a single round of golf during many of its Paris and Normandy itineraries, at the Golf de Etretat Marine Course in Normandy: https://golfetretat.com/

Of course when not on the course, you'll be staying in a beautiful floating hotel room as you travel between towns and villages, and be treated to excellent dining experiences and local beers and wines. If you are part of a regular foursome, or active at your golf club, think how much fun it would be to share an experience like this with your golfing partners?

Golfing is one of many special experiences now being offered by river cruise companies - they've historically offered cruises focused on beer, wine and even cognac - as well as more culinary focused themes. There are river cruises geared toward family travel (including a Disney partnership,) Jewish Heritage Cruises, and during December, cruises stopping at many of Europe's charming Christmas Markets. There's really something for everyone - I've truly enjoyed my two river cruise experiences and am really looking forward to the next two I've already got on the books (and really hoping to experience the Christmas Markets myself, too!)

I would love to help you choose a river cruise - please call or email when you're ready to plan.

See you on the river,

Joan

Let Hawaii Happen!

Aloha - today is a day that has been anticipated by many for a long, long time: Southwest Airlines is now selling flights from the 8 California cities to Hawaii; the new destination has rolled out with remarkable sale fares - and other airlines are matching the special rates. So if you've dreamed of visiting Hawaii (and chances are, you have!) why not contact me now to plan your visit to this American Paradise? As a certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, I would be delighted to help you plan! Read on for free or budget-friendly activities in Hawaii...joan@tastefulvoyages.com

Something Free in Waikiki? Absolutely!

With so many free things to do in Waikiki, there is really no reason to fork out a lot of cash on activities. From torch lighting and hula shows to hands-on classes in Hawaiian arts and crafts, this visitor “Mecca” has a lot of offerings to keep you busy – and entertain and educate at the same time!

Here are some of my favorite “free” or inexpensive things to do in Waikiki...

1. Aloha Friday at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki - Each Friday afternoon, the Hyatt presents a Polynesian show with hula dancers, a Samoan fire-knife dancer and hands-on demonstrations of lei making and Polynesian art tattooing. Other afternoons during the week bring cultural classes like ukulele playing and storytelling...and you don’t have to be staying at the resort...although it is a lovely choice!

2. Kuhio Beach Torch lighting and Hula Show – Four nights each week at sunset, the blowing of the conch shell summons folks to the Kuhio Beach hula mound near Waikiki’s famous statue of Duke Kahanamoku. There, you witness a traditional torch lighting ceremony followed by an hour of free, feel-good hula by talented local dancers and entertainers. 

3. Royal Hawaiian Band Concerts – Founded by King Kamehameha III in 1836, this one-of-a-kind ensemble serenades crowds with songs of the islands – past and present. Look for them each Sunday afternoon in the bandstand inside the 500-acre Kapiolani Park. The park itself is a fabulous free attraction, popular with picnickers and joggers.

4. Royal Hawaiian Center Classes & Entertainment – Take ukulele or hula lessons, learn how to make traditional Hawaiian quilts, weave a lei using fresh tropical flowers or try your hand at the art of lomi lomi massage, all at this multi-level shopping center. It also presents live music and hula shows most evenings...open to the public! See www.royalhawaiiancenter.com for schedules.

5. Sunset on the Beach – Waikiki Beach turns into a huge outdoor theater presenting free, family-friendly movies on a 30-foot screen about once a month. Late afternoon, live entertainment kicks things off, with vendors and food trucks selling affordable and “ono” (yummy) eats. Be sure to check the online schedule at www.waikikiimprovement.com 

6. Wildlife and Fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village – There’s no charge to watch the Hilton’s wildlife experts feed the penguins and turtles that live on its grounds. On Friday evenings, the resort presents visitors and locals alike with an Oceanside fireworks show, which is best viewed from the beach....a colorful and exciting way to have fun for free in Waikiki!

7. People-Watching – This is my own favorite pastime in Waikiki so I thought I would add it. Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures and you will see just about everything you could imagine – and more that you couldn’t even dream up! Visitors from Asia will be on the beach early in the morning practicing Tai chi and exercise...Street artists line Kalakaua Avenue in the evenings, providing some incredibly original “selfie” opportunities (don’t forget to tip!) and older couples in their matching Aloha-wear walk hand-in-hand next to surfers and goth-looking youngsters...Take it all in!

Keep in mind that you don't need a passport to visit Hawaii...and rental cars are typically quite reasonable - another favorite activity is to drive the perimeter of the island, stopping as the spirit moves you - perhaps near Pipeline on the North Shore to watch daring surfers ride the huge waves - or sampling freshly prepared Garlic Shrimp and Shave Ice at the Shrimp Trucks near Haleiwa - or standing over the beautiful Waimea Bay - or driving Tantalus and Round Top Drive for breathtaking views, or visiting the Byodo Inn, a replica of a Japanese Buddhist Temple in the Manoa Valley... Don’t let the fear of “I heard Hawaii is super expensive!” keep you from planning that vacation! I am well informed on these, and many more, free and budget-friendly options to keep you going from sunrise to sunset! Just do it! 

Hang loose,

Joan

Giving Through Travel

Recently a group of colleagues visited a luxury Jamaican resort for a corporate event. Prior to their meeting, the resort asked the group leader to consider asking travelers to bring school supplies to help a local school with which the resort had a sponsorship relationship. Great idea, right? This group was happy to contribute, and collected quite a nice stash of supplies for the local kids. When we travel, we can indeed help others. Depending on the destination and the need, there are many ways to do this. Today, I will cover several ways to help:

SUPPORT A CHARITY OR LOCAL ORGANIZATION THROUGH YOUR RESORT, CRUISE LINE OR TOUR OPERATOR. I’ve referenced a group meeting for a conference supporting a local school via a connection with their resort – but there are potentially many ways to contribute. When I visited Cuba, our group leader contacted a religious group in Havana which operates a free clinic – they requested diapers, children’s underwear and over the counter medications. Every traveler in our group contributed to this cause.  Later this year we will be sailing on a Holland America Cruise; every itinerary offers a 5k during a sea day, called “On Deck for a Cause” – cruisers donate $20 to participate and receive a tee- shirt; the organization raises funds for Cancer Organizations in the US, Europe and Australia and has raised over $6 million to date.  Carnival Cruises has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with a program called “Care to Play” – funds are raised a variety of ways, but the most popular is donating $10 to participate in a special dance party called “Groove for St. Jude.” Royal Caribbean has partnered with the World Wildlife Foundation; guests can purchase special items in the gift shop with all proceeds being donated to WWF, or can sign up for either a Walk or Swim for Sea Turtles event for a set donation. Finally there is an organization called Pack For A Purpose which identifies in-destination groups needing donated items, and then encouraging travelers to fill unused space in suitcases with items to donate.

SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIES - BUY HANDMADE CRAFTS OR OTHER ITEMS FROM LOCALS. You contribute to the well-being of locals when you purchase handmade items directly from them. In Mexico, I had the choice to purchase small woven bracelets made by local women or from a chain of souvenir shops catering to tourists. On Bora Bora as part of a shore excursion we saw a demonstration of the tie-dye process for the colorful swim coverups – and had the opportunity to purchase directly from the artisans. By purchasing these items, I demonstrated appreciation for the local customs and crafts, contributed directly to income for locals, and had some lovely pieces for friends and family back home.. Make the effort to seek out and support the local artists, wood carvers, weavers etc. with purchases which may be small for you but very meaningful to the craftspeople.

PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTEER TRAVEL. You may have heard the term “Voluntourism” which loosely translates to volunteering while you travel. By giving something back to the community you are visiting, You learn about another culture , city or country in a deeper, more intimate fashion. You donate your time, skills and knowledge, which benefit others and just may help your heart grow a few sizes. There are several tour operators offering volunteer opportunities during your travels; contact your travel advisor if you are interested in matching your destination with a volunteer opportunity.

There are many reasons to volunteer while you’re traveling and there are literally thousands of charities and organizations that look for help from passing travelers. For example, the Maui Humane Society has the "Helping Paws" program where visitors can come spend time with the animals. Some, who are staying on Maui for a longer time, can actually "temporarily adopt" a dog or cat for the duration of their visit. It’s not unusual for pets to find their forever home via this program. From time to time churches, mosques or synagogues offer mission trips and encourage members to participate as a part of group, usually in some specific area such as building a school, or rehabbing homes after natural disasters – often in conjunction with a local religious organization in the destination. (Our local congregation is in Puerto Rico at the moment helping with hurricane relief.) 

We are all busy and may not have a lot of time to give, but perhaps if we each look for some small opportunity, together we can make a difference. The next time you take a vacation, consider asking what you can do to help. We are happy to assist you in learning about these opportunities as you plan your vacations. Have YOU participated in a program that you would like to share? Let us know and we will put it "out there" for all to see!

 Happy Travels,

Joan

Would You Prefer to Go TO a Country, Or Go THROUGH a Country???

Joan in a Gondola floating over a vineyard in the Rhine River Valley, near Rudesheim, Germany

Have you ever considered taking a river cruise?   If you are interested in this mode of ravel, *NOW* is a great time to plan that trip - AmaWaterways is offering free airfare from 60 US cities to Europe for several of their 2019 itineraries. This is a great offer but must be booked by January 31st; please let me know if I you are interested! Info here: https://www.amawaterways.com/landingpages/fly-free2019?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Offers&utm_elist=TA&utm_campaign=Free-Air If now is not the right time, as your Travel Advisor I will always have the most up-to-date info on available promotions...

Cruising the Rivers of the World

You are likely aware that ocean cruising, with bellyflop contests and buckets of beer, has an alternative, more "civil" competitor in the cruising arena - River Cruising. While most of the river cruise itineraries are in Europe, including the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhone, Douro and even the Po Rivers, river cruises are offered as well in Asia, India and Africa, and here in the US - although river cruising outside of Europe is a very different offering. Many European river cruises are focused on a theme or special interests, such as wine regions of France, Jewish heritage, beer tasting in Germany and Austria, "Sound of Music" Tours, Tulip Time in Holland and, in November and December, visiting Christmas Markets, many of which are held in European river cities. Here are several reasons why many travelers are choosing river cruising - and why many choose to river cruise again.

1. The ships are smaller and more intimate than Ocean Cruise Ships (120 - 170 passengers) - you can get to know fellow guests and not feel like you are in a flock of sheep. You may eat with whoever you like at every meal, and many ships have a choice of more than one dining venue (and room service) onboard. Sharing a meal with fellow passengers is a great way to get to know them!
2. River Cruising is as close to hassle-free travel as one can get.Due to the low passenger capacity, there are no lines to get on or off the ship, and, when arriving in a port, you can typically walk off the ship and be immersed in the destination. Europe grew up along its rivers, so there are charming and interesting towns and cities to explore - both tiny and large. Very few ports require bus transfers which makes it easy to come and go at your leisure. The dress code is relaxed - typically there are no "formal nights" on board.
3. The trip can be completely all-inclusive. Depending on the cruise company and ship chosen, your inclusions may include airfare, gratuities, wifi, airport transfers and a pre or post-cruise hotel stay. All meals on board the ship are included, and adult beverages are typically included at minimum during meals. Most excursions are included (a few extraordinary experiences may incur an additional cost,) and most ships carry bicycles on board for passengers to use. It's been my experience that at the end of the cruise, my final bill has been limited to charges for items I purchased in the shop and spa services.
4. Being on a river, there are no waves, so seasickness is not an issue. Navigating many of the rivers requires that the ship transfer through a series of "locks," used to raise or lower ships in stretches of rivers with different elevations. Many river cruisers enjoy watching the process as the lock is filled with water or emptied, so the ship can proceed up or down the river. You may be able to touch the lock walls from your cabin balcony as the ship passes through! Entertainment in the evening typically includes music in the lounge; in some ports local musicians are brought on board, while in other ports guests are encouraged to experience the evening in a local cafe, bar or pub.
5. You unpack once! River cruising is a lovely, relaxing way to see much of your destination from your floating hotel; once on board you unpack, stow your suitcases under the bed, and travel with your comfortable hotel room from port to port.

While the price of a river cruise may at first cause "sticker shock," once you realize all that is included, the cost will seem much more reasonable, and actually quite a good value. Viking River Cruises is the best known of the river cruise companies; they were a pioneer in introducing many travelers to the concept of river cruising. There are many choices of excellent river cruise companies, with varying inclusions and on-board offerings, including one company offering Adventures by Disney river cruises which are great for families (and which will soon be offering adult-only itineraries.)

A travel advisor specializing in River Cruising (like me,) who has experienced a couple of river cruises and has relationships with sales reps from the different cruise lines can be incredibly valuable to help one sort through all of the options to determine which cruise is a great fit. River cruising is a great choice for groups of friends, families or colleagues who enjoy traveling together -- when I book a river cruise for a client, I always ask if there is anyone who would like to join them on the trip - it's not unusual for 1 or 2 additional couples to decide to cruise. Who would you like to be with to experience the castles in the Rhine Gorge, or the beautiful vineyards along the Seine, or the Christmas Markets and spectacular palaces along the Rhine?

So, if you are ready to try an experience that does not involve waiting in line with 4,000 of your fellow passengers to disembark from a mega-ship, why not give River Cruising a try? 96% of first time river cruisers would recommend the experience to a friend. Tasteful Voyages works with the major river cruise companies and I would love to help match you and your friends to the perfect experience on the river. In closing I hope you are tempted to get on board with the River Cruise movement; I am looking forward to my next river cruise this June; we will be sailing on the Beautiful Blue Danube.

I Hope to see you on the River!

A typical stateroom on a river cruise ship.  While small, they are expertly designed to maximize storage and living space.  This room features a "French Balcony" - in other words the window is a glass slider; you can open the door and watch the sights glide by catching the fresh air right from your cabin!

The top deck of the AmaPrima features a heated pool and lots of seating.  Most guests were stationed here while we cruised the Rhine Gorge viewing castles along the riverbanks. 

An example of one of the locks that river ships must pass through. The locks raise or lower the boats by a process of filling / emptying water - literally floating the boat to higher or lower water levels in the river. 

One of the 30+ castles in the Rhine Gorge...a beautiful experience to glide by!

Our Cruise Director provided us with a checklist of the castles we were passing and we purchased a more comprehensive guide.

There is frequently entertainment offered in the ship's lounge in the evening - this was a fun ABBA Tribute.  These ladies had everyone up, dancing and singing!