22. June 2019
Hi friends! We just returned from our Taste of Tuscany tour and it was definitely delicious! It did remind me however, that being flexible, especially when traveling, is as important as ever! It was going to be quite warm, in the 95 degree range on Friday, and we had planned a very busy day of touring beautiful towns and of course tasting wine. Silvia, our private guide for several days, suggested that we make an adjustment due to the heat, by replacing the very hilly town of Montepulciano,...
16. February 2019
I had not been to Cozumel for quite a few years so when this cruise aboard the Celebrity Infinity came up, we booked it! When we arrived, the weather was glorious. I could not have asked for a better morning. Unfortunately, Barbara woke up with a bad back and she thought it was better to not bounce around in a jeep for 4 hours, so she stayed behind. I went down to the meeting place, the El CID HOTEL, and after navigating a maze of jewelry stores, trinket shops and multiple duty free liquor...
03. October 2018
We all need to renew our body and mind. Read further for a suggestion on one way to accomplish that goal!
08. May 2018
We have been privileged to take this journey to Italy and of this writing we are still here. We started out in Barcelona and cruised some of the islands in the Mediterranean, and disembarked in the port city for Rome, which is Civitavecchia. More about that in a different blog but I am really excited to discuss with you the adventure that is the drive in Tuscany I speak of! We started out from Castello delle Serre in the small hilltop village of Serre di Rapolano. I discovered this special...
07. January 2018
Were you blessed with good travel this past year? I bet you were if you think about it!
23. September 2017
What does your emotional portfolio look like? Can your happiness live on the Return of Life you are getting?
08. April 2017
It has been 4 months now, since we returned from the Caribbean and I am starting to fidget and twitch to go again, yes, go.... ANYWHERE. This acute condition started me thinking about the motivation. Why is it I feel this way? Do other people have a similar craving? To what extent? Well, for me, being the complex guy that I am, it comes from many different stimulus. These reasons include visiting family, needing to "unplug", go looking for adventure or new cultural discoveries or just relaxing....
04. February 2017
Before we decide how to recognize it, let's first look at the definition of a classic. Webster's says that a classic is "Traditional -Enduring- serving as a standard of excellence". Wikipedia, if you want a more contemporary view, says "An outstanding example of a particular style, something of lasting worth." Well in the world of travel, those definitions fit a large number of places and things. Like the Seattle Space Needle or Chihuly Glass garden also in Seattle. These are pretty easy to...
07. January 2017
We hope you enjoy this continuation post about the MS Koningsdam. As promised, I would like to talk about the entertainment and amenities this time. Historically, entertainment may have been the weak area for Holland America. We have enjoyed the production shows but have very little use for the main showroom in the past. That has now changed!
29. December 2016
While this ship is the largest vessel for Holland America so far, it by no means is a mega ship. The passenger capacity is only 2650. It keeps the 3 level atrium style and the feeling of elegance that frequent cruisers of this line enjoy. It also has the wonderful crew that always remembers your name and gives the best service around, IMHO. The ships musical theme, echo's throughout the ship from the Atrium, the Main Dining Room, and the Lincoln Center Stage to the main showroom which is called...