GO PLACES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF:  Yep… strange advice, but I’ve learned this is a great way to plan travel.

WHAT?  

We often end up adding on obscure places to our existing trips, so we can experience something new, but “book end” the trip with more major airports.  A few examples from our most recent trips abroad:

• Lambinowice, Poland:  This tiny town, about 3 hours from Krakow is where Bob’s Uncle was interred for 3 years during WW2.  A personal visit yes… but also very different than Krakow or Warsaw.
• Coca, Ecuador:  An incredible journey to the Ecuadorian Amazon. 
• Cappadocia, Turkey: to stay in a cave hotel, and take a balloon ride.
• Lyon, France:  OK… you’ve probably heard of this place, but it is every bit as interesting, and much easier to manage (and far less crowded) than Paris. 
• Plitvice Lakes (Croatia): One of the most natural spectacular places we’ve seen.

WHY?

• It is almost certainly LESS CROWDED, and such places are increasingly difficult to find.
• Often places without a souvenir shop and a Hard Rock Café are MORE AUTHENTIC.

WHERE?

This COULD be a never-ending list, but here’s a few places that are either NOT known (or lesser known), and they’re NOT THAT FAR from where you’re already travelling:

• L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS (or Newfoundland, in general).  Newfoundland and Labrador are politically part of Canada, but are vastly different than the rest of that country.  L’anse Aux Meadows is where evidence of Europeans’ first contact with indigenous North Americans (500 years before Columbus) has been found.
• TIKAL (Guatemala) – in 800 AD, when Europe was in the depths of the dark ages, more than 100,000 people lived in TIKAL (much larger than Rome or London at the time).  The highest pyramid in the Americas is there, and parts of Star Wars were filmed in this UNESCO archeological site. 
• ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON – these islands are near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, not far from the US and Canada.  Make sure you take your passport and some Euros… you’ll be visiting France. 
• YUGOSLAVIA – OK… this country doesn’t exist anymore, and you’ve already heard of Croatia.  Don’t overlook some other former Yugoslavian nations: particularly Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia.  All naturally beautiful, and not yet overrun with tourists. 
• ECUADORIAN AMAZON – You’ve probably considered visiting the Amazon basin in Brazil or Peru.  If you go from Quito in Ecuador, it’s closer to home and every bit as spectacular.

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about how and why they end up in out of the way places:  https://youtu.be/BjsZRSslyZo 

In Case You Missed It:

LONGER TRIPS:  It’s an undeniable trend – going away for longer periods of time.  Why should you consider this, and what are some ideas?  https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-long-and-slow/ 

INSIDER’S LOOK at PAMPERED CRUISER:  People have asked a little about who we are, and how we operate:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/insiders-look-at-the-pampered-cruiser/

WINDSTAR CRUISES:  If you’re looking for yachting experience with a maximum of 320 guests, then Windstar’s worth a look: https://pamperedcruiser.com/yacht-cruising-with-windstar/

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

MEKONG RIVER with AMA Waterways.  Kim interviews Alex Pinelo from AMA Waterways while they are both on board AMA’s Mekong river boat.  Learn why this destination should be on your radar: https://youtu.be/tvA_WHOYuLo 

Have something to say about this?

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

OCEAN – WINDSTAR

Windstar has small yachts with the largest one carrying 320 guests.  This allows them to get into smaller ports of call where larger ships can’t go.  Here’s few examples of COMMON regions, with UNCOMMON port stops:

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND from Montreal to New York departing October 7 for 12-days

• Visit Montreal, Quebec City (overnight), Gaspe, Cap aux Meules, Louisbourg, Halifax, Portland (overnight), Cape Cod, NYC (overnight).
• This is a James Beard Foundation Foodie Cruise… for those that want to add an elevated culinary experience to the incredible scenery.
• All-inclusive fares from $8687

PANAMA CANAL from Panama to Costa Rica departing April 13 for 7-days

• Visit Colon, Full daylight transit, Panama City (overnight), Isla Parida, Golfo Dulce, Quepos, Puerto Caldera
• Fares from $4692

JAPAN from Tokyo to Kobe for 10-days

• Visit Shimizu, Shingu, Kagoshima, Hashima Island, Nagasaki, Busan, Karatsu, Hiroshima, Takumatsu.  
• Fares from $6999 September 2026 through May 2027

AMA WATERWAYS

AMA has a strong focus on food and wine, and they have a wellness coordinator on every sailing, and your final payment isn’t due until 90 days prior to sailing.  AMA does all the main European Rivers, the Mekong, and the Nile.  They also go a few places others don’t:

COLOMBIA: Barranquilla to Cartagena for 7-nights

• Visit a Carnaval celebration, take a stilt-house Village tour, enjoy a Jazz street performance,  and San Felipe Castle and Walled city tour.  Enjoy the latin music, sample the famous coffee, and take in the tropical rainforest.
• Pre/post available to Medellin and/or Panama.
• 2025: Departures in October & November from $3339
• 2026: Departures January through June from $3549

DISCOVER SOUTHERN AFRICA:  

• Start in Capetown for 3-nights, then board your ship, and spend the next 4 days on Safari both by riverboat and 4 X 4.  Spend 2 nights in Victoria Falls, before finishing in Johannesburg for the trip home. 
• 2025: Fares from $12,045 with departures June through November. 
• 2026: Fares from $12,170 with departures February through November

WINE CRUISE on the MOSELLE: Luxembourg to Basel departing July 15, 2026 for 7-nights

• Visit Wasserbillig (Rome of the North), Cochem (for Reichsburg Castle), Koblenz, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Breisach. 
• Optional extensions to Paris (pre trip), and Switzerland (Lucerne & Zurich post trip).
• Fares from $4449 (LESS 5% on any cabin category on this sailing ONLY).  

OUT OF THE WAY ADVENTURES with SEACLOUD

SEACLOUD offers guests a new experience in destinations they’ve been to previously on a small ship (132 or fewer).  We’ve been to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean several times… but not to most of these port stops!  SEACLOUD also structures its itineraries, so you can fly in and out of a major airport, but experience brand new things along your journey:

MEDITERRANEAN: Naples to Nice departing October 6 for 7-nights

• Visit Bastia (Corsica), Viareggio (Italy), Portofino, Menton (France), St. Tropez
• Fares from $4575

CARIBBEAN: Philipsburg (St. Maarten) round-trip departing March 26 for 7-nights

• Visit St. Barts, Dominica, Isles des Saintes, Martinique, Anguilla, 
• Fares from $6495

CROATIA: Venice to Dubrovnik departing August 25, 2026 for 7-nights

• Visit Ravenna, Pula, Korcula, Split, Montenegro
• From $7495

LAND CRUISES – TAUCK

Michigan Lakes and Mackinac Island from Traverse City to Detroit for 8-days

• Visit Traverse City (for the sand dunes, vineyards, and sandy beaches), Petoskey, Mackinac island, Midland, Bay City, Frankenmuth Bavarian Village, Dearborn (for Henry Ford Museum), Detroit.
• Limited space from now through October in 2024 from $4890 per person.
• Departures in 2025: May to October from $5290 per person.

England, Scotland & Wales from Edinburgh to London for 14-days

• Start in Edinburgh for 2-nights, and then move on to the Lakes District.  Next visit the walled city of Chester before moving on to Wales to experience Caernarfon and Conwy.  Visit Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon, and then to Blenheim Palace and Oxford.  Next, its over to Bath and a visit to Stonehenge, before finishing in London for 3-nights. 
• 2025: Departures June through October from $9690
• 2026: Departures April through October from $9990

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32

Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Turkey (or Turkiye, as we’re supposed to spell it) should be on your radar.  It has very quickly become a major cruise ship destination in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it is a country full of a wide variety of attractions to suit all tastes.  Here are a few ideas:

Istanbul

ISTANBUL stands at the intersection of Europe and Asia, the intersection of Islam and Christianity, and the intersection of the ancient and the modern. It is huge – over 15 million people, and is full of historical sites, mosques, palaces, great food, and cosmopolitan hotels — all along a beautiful waterfront.  Here’s some other points of consideration when visiting Istanbul:

• AIRPORT:  If you’re flying to/from Istanbul, you’ll use the world’s largest airport, and Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline.  Although the airport is huge, it is well thought-out, comfortable, and with plenty of shops and services.
• CRUISE PORT:  The Turks are very clearly building for the future.  The cruise ship port here is big and modern, and very central to the sites you want to see in Istanbul.
• This place has been a crossroads for centuries… so there’s tons to see here.  It’s worth a day or two pre or post cruise. 
• Hagia Sofia, the Sultan’s Palace, the Blue Mosque, historical ruins, modern hotels, Bazaars, parks and public space, Michelin starred restaurants… it’s all in Istanbul.

Other Points of Interest in Turkiye

• CAPPADOCIA — This place is a parade of UNESCO sites.  If you’ve seen a photo of dozens of hot air balloons floating effortlessly over the desert – it’s probably Cappadocia.  You can also stay in a cave-hotel here (far more glamorous than it sounds).  Here’s our video blog from there: https://youtu.be/m6L12POlFqU 
• KUSADASI (for Ephesus) — This is the most important GREEK ruin site in the region even though it is now in Turkiye.  The site itself gets the most buzz, but most people miss the museum in Kusadasi…it’s really impressive. 
• PAMUKKALE is a natural hot spring area that has been operating as a spa since the 2^nd century (so there… Canyon Ranch).  The snow-white limestone has been formed from the calcium rich hot springs that run through the area, and give the water a bright blue color.
• HIEROPOLIS – this ancient city gets very few visitors compared to Ephesus, and is where the Apostle Phillip spent the last few years of his life.
• ANTALYA – Imagine the clear waters and pristine beaches you imagine when you think of Greece… but with fewer people. 
• SKIING – OK… we really don’t get requests for this, but who knew there are ski resorts in Turkiye?

If you’re doing an Eastern Mediterranean cruise that includes Greece, there’s a reasonable chance you’ll start or finish in Istanbul.  Don’t miss the opportunity to check Turkiye out. 

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Istanbul and Turkey, their experiences there, and why it should be on your radar: https://youtu.be/PZQOiko2TqM 

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0jXCYcQ31NCRy4MPP3tTX6nFFTw9tZxvyhMFK5MW6SaWFsJd8sGHmoYC4vSfoz3rzl?rdid=EmBwY5JntyJchzj2#

Today’s Travel Opportunities

REGENT Eastern MEDITERRANEAN

CROATIA, GREECE & TURKIYE: Istanbul to Trieste departing October 13 for 9-nights

• Visit Istanbul, Ephesus, Mykonos, Olympia, Corfu, Kotor, Split, Zadar, Trieste.
• Fares from $5895

CROATIA, GREECE & TURKIYE: Istanbul to Trieste departing May 5, 2026 for 12-nights

• Visit Istanbul, Dikili, Ephesus, Mykonos, Athens, Gythion, Argostoli, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Trieste
• Fares From $9399

GREECE, EGYPT & TURKIYE: Istanbul to Athens departing June 3, 2026 for 10-nights

• Visit Istanbul, Bozcaada, Ephesus, Alexandria (overnight), Cyprus, Rhodes, Santorini, Athens.
• Fares from $9399

RIVER & RAIL Combinations with UNIWORLD

There aren’t any river cruises in Turkey, but UNIWORLD has some pre/post river cruise RAIL trips with extensions to Istanbul.  RAIL trips are much like river cruises, in that you get to see a lot of different things, but only unpack once. 

TURKEY to FRANCE: Istanbul to Paris for 15-days

• Board the train for 6-nights starting in Istanbul, and then travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and France.  Transfer to your river boat, and spend one-week aboard sailing to Normandy, and back to Paris
• Departures in May, September or October 2026 from $24,098

ITALY to TURKEY: Milan to Istanbul 19-days

• 2-nights in Milan, then to Venice for 7-nights on the ship, then to Trieste to board the train, where you’ll travel through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Bulgaria before entering Turkey, and finishing in Istanbul for 2-nights.
• 2025: Depart October 17 from $23,198
• 2026:  May 3, August 23, or September 27 from $25,498

Here’s UNIWORLD’S webpage on RIVERS & RAIL:

https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/cruise-and-rail

TURKIYE by LAND with COLLETTE

Treasures of TURKEY for 14-days

• Visit Istanbul 3 days, then on to Izmir for 2-nights (for Ephesus, Pamukkale, and the Cotton Castle), Dalyan on the Aegean coast for blue azure waters, birds, turtles, and colourful fish.  Konya for path of ancient silk road trading route.  Cappadocia for 3-nights to stay in a cave hotel, and do an optional balloon ride, fairy chimneys, and then back to Istanbul. 
• 2025: Departures August to November from $4349
• 2026: Departures March to May from $4799

GREECE & TURKIYE: Footsteps of Paul the Apostle round-trip Athens for 11-days

• Start in Athens for 3-nights, then visit Ephesus, Crete, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki, and Kavala.  
• 2025: Departures in August from $3999
• 2026:  Departures March to May $3699

ACTIVE ADVENTURES with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

You don’t have to be an elite athlete, but if you like to be active on vacation, here are some great options close to home:

OREGON & WASHINGTON: Columbia River from Portland to Clarkston for 6-days

• Visit Portland, The Dalles (for Multnomah Falls and fish hatchery), Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Palouse River.  Traverse the locks by river boat right here at home!
• Go hiking, kayaking, ride on the zodiacs, visit museums and wineries
• Departures in March, April September or October from $4243

BRITISH COLUMBIA and the SAN JUAN ISLANDS for 8-days round-trip Seattle

• Visit Victoria BC, Desolation Sound for kayaking and hiking, Alert Bay for First Nations immersion, the Canadian Gulf Islands to visit quaint communities, Friday Harbor on for the Whale museum, and other islands in Puget Sound. 
• This corner of the country is a well-kept secret.  Visit remote islands to see the sea lions, eagles, humpback and orca whales.  Go for a bike ride in Victoria; kayaking, zodiacs, and paddleboarding in remote bays.  
• Departures in September and October from $5897

WHALE WATCHING in MAGDALENA BAY (Baja California) for 6-days round-trip Loreto

• Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay for 6 days Jan, Feb, Mar.  RT Loreto Mexico
• See the Gray Whales, explore the sand dunes at Sand Dollar Beach, and visit the fishing village of Puerto Magdalena.  Go kayaking, zodiacs, paddleboarding, hiking, and cycling.
• Departures January through March from $3155

In Case You Missed It:

How TRAVEL CHANGED ME: Hear Bob’s story of personal transformation from a trip nearly 40 years ago:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-travel-changed-me/ 

HOW TO CHOOSE A RIVER CRUISE LINE:  There’s tons of choices out there, and they’re all good.  How do you choose the best match for you? 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-do-you-choose-a-river-cruise-line/

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

VIKING – Why you should NEVER book direct.  We love working with Viking, and we know them very well.  Find out in this video the 3 reasons you SHOULDN’T book directly with Viking. 

https://youtu.be/DZHzPU4NhTw

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Someone recently mentioned to me that they’d visited South Korea.  She had all kinds of opinions about the people, their culture, the food, the music.  Turns out she managed to make all these judgments after a 4-hour layover at Seoul Incheon Airport.

SORRY… a layover doesn’t count as having visited a country (as lovely as the Incheon Airport is).

This got me thinking about how we experience places when we travel, and I came up with a scale.  On the extreme left hand side is “Travelling BROAD”: in this case maybe you only connect a flight at the airport.  The other extreme is “Travelling DEEP”: this is when you live in the location for some period of time.  All of our adventures fall somewhere in between, and there is no ”right” way to travel.  But there should be an understanding that Broad and Deep are different experiences.  

Cruise ships lend themselves well to Broad Travel.  In most cases, you are only in a port of call for the day, and you generally can’t explore too far away from where your ship is docked.  In some cases, this works perfectly – you can get a little taste of a bunch of different places, and then (later) go back to the ones you really love to experience more deeply.  We see this in the Caribbean and in Europe.  Some cruises in those markets have a port of call every day – offering a LITTLE taste of a LOT of places in a one or two week period.  

Some cruise lines are beginning to move a bit further to the right on the continuum, to offer a deeper experience.  This involves a longer port stop or even an overnight stay.  Perhaps they depart later at night to allow you to see what the port looks like after dark.  In some cases, the cruise lines are offering 2 or 3 day stays in certain ports of call.  This definitely gives you more of a feel for a place than a 6 hour stop during the day.

There are also some port stops that simply require more than a few hours to see well.  The old saying that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, I’ve modified to “You can’t see Rome in a day” – particularly because the cruise ships dock about 2 hours away from the things you want to see in Rome.

There can also be moments of DEEP travel on otherwise BROAD trips.  We went to a family’s home in Bulgaria for a cooking demonstration.  In Guatemala we did a home-stay with a local family for 2-nights, rather than stay in a hotel.  These are examples of making more deep connections with a place and its people on an otherwise short trip.  

To be clear, I’m not advocating for Deep Experiences over Broad Experiences.  I am suggesting that this is a dimension you’ll want to consider when making decisions about your next vacation, to avoid regrets.

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Travelling BROAD and Travelling DEEP, and why you need to consider this when making your vacation choices: 

https://youtu.be/7LWB9ekQTAg

REAL ID for Domestic Flights

Effective May 7, you’ll need REAL ID to board an airplane for a DOMESTIC flight.  Previously a Driver’s License could be used as ID for domestic flights, but now you’ll need REAL ID compliant identification.  Here’s a link to the Government’s website for you to learn more: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.  

Passports are still required for any international travel.  We are, unfortunately, unable to answer detailed questions on how and why this change is occurring, nor can we confirm whether your ID is compliant or not.  Please use the link above to get more information.

In Case You Missed It:

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND:  This corner of North America has spectacular scenery, great urban scenes, and is easy to get to: https://pamperedcruiser.com/canada-new-england/

Travel APPs I Use  https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-websites-and-apps-that-i-use/

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

VIKING – Why you should NEVER book direct.  We love working with Viking, and we know them very well.  Find out in this video the 3 reasons you SHOULDN’T book directly with Viking. 

https://youtu.be/DZHzPU4NhTw

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid02TrnW4GVbCeahvr5ZMZVD2ds9vtzuEvZBL5pVRXZ9hFLUTUXj6VJXHsLHyGafXNvQl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

TAUCK RIVER CRUISES

Tauck offers the most inclusive river cruises:  if you missed our feature in January about Tauck, here’s the link: https://pamperedcruiser.com/what-about-tauck/ .  They also have a whole series of trips (both on river boats, and land-tours) that are especially designed for traveling with multi-generational groups:

GERMAN OKTOBERFEST:  Amsterdam to Munich for 10-days in September

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf (to visit local craft breweries), sail the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg for a beer-paired lunch, Strasbourg, Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, Lake Konstanz, and then on to Munich for 2 nights for the world’s largest festival!
• 2025: Limited availability on September 17 or 24 from $8190
• 2026: Depart September 16 or 23 from $8490

CHRISTMAS MARKETS BRIDGES TOUR on the Danube for 7-nights from Bavaria to Budapest

• BRIDGES TOUR:  Take children or teens with you, on this specially designed itinerary to the Christmas Markets!
• Visit Munich, Regensburg, Passau, Wachau Valley, Melk, Vienna (overnight), Bratislava, Budapest. 
• 2025: Depart December 21 or 22 from $4590
• 2026: Depart December 22, 23, or 29 from $4990

TAUCK Egypt – 10-days with departures January through May, and September to December

• Spend 2-nights in Cairo, then fly to Luxor to pick up a river boat for 4-nights, followed by one hotel night in Aswan, then back to Cairo for 2-nights. 
• Optional extensions to Jordan
• 2025:  September to December from $11,190
• 2026:  Departures January through May from $10,990
• See details of Tauck’s Egypt trips here: https://www.tauck.com/destinations/africa-tours-and-safaris/egypt-tours?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

With a strong focus on culinary, a unique entertainment program, and huge staterooms, this new luxury lifestyle brand is worth checking out. 

ARABIAN PENINSULA round-trip from Dubai departing December 21, 2026 for 8-days

• Visit Dubai (overnight), Khor Fakkan (UAE) for archeological sites and Musandam’s Fjords (the Norway of Arabia), Sur (to visit the sand dunes), Muscat to immerse yourself in authentic Arabia or to go snorkeling, Khasab on the remote Omani Peninsula, then back to Dubai.
• Veranda fares from $4370

NORTHERN EUROPE from Reykjavik to Quebec City departing September 17, 2026 for 12-days

• Visit 2 ports in Iceland, then sail to Greenland to visit 3 ports, then on to Canada, where you’ll stop in 2 of Quebec’s Eastern townships, before arriving in Quebec City (overnight).  
• Extend in Quebec City, and stay at the Chateau Frontenac – the world’s MOST photographed hotel. 
• Veranda fares from $10,315

CARIBBEAN: round-trip Miami departing Jan 5, 2026 for 11 days

• Visit San Andreas (Colombia), Colon (Panama), Bocas del Toro (Panama), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), George Town (Grand Cayman)
• Veranda Fares from $5270.

EXPLORA I ship tour: https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0 

EXPLORA ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT: https://youtu.be/9ELX0zxNjZ0 

ACTIVE ADVENTURES with ATLAS

ATLAS is a new cruise line with yachts that hold fewer than 200 guests, and visit some remote corners of the world.  Fares include shore shore/landing activities, an open bar, specialty dining, and gratuities.

Learn more about Atlas Ocean Voyages here: https://inspires.to/experiences/the-atlas-ocean-voyages-experience-wx208

IRELAND to PORTUGAL from Dublin to Lisbon departing October 11 for 10-nights

• When not in the polar regions, ATLAS conducts Epicurean Expeditions for those who really want to explore a region’s food and wine.  This sailing is hosted by TV personality Chef Christy Rost, and vintner Jon Schlegel 
• Visit Dublin, Waterford (Ireland), La Rochelle (France), Bordeaux (overnight), Bilbao, Gijon (Spain), Lisbon (overnight). 
• Fares from $4899

POLAR NORWAY:  From Tromso to Longyearbyen departing August 17 for 9-nights

• This is like a safari at sea!  Spot puffins, reindeer, arctic terns and foxes.  See the ice floes, icebergs, and do some glacier cruising.  OMG I want to do this cruise so badly!
• This cruise includes a private jet ride back to Oslo, Zodiac landings, boots, and a parka you get to keep. 
• Fares from $6974

DOMESTIC LAND CRUISES with GLOBUS

MONTANA & YELLOWSTONE NP for 9-days from Bozeman to Jackson

• Start in Bozeman, and then on to Livingston (for Dinosaur Museum, and Yellowstone River), Next to Yellowstone NP for 3 nights, then to Big Sky, and then finish in Jackson, Wyoming.
• Departures June through September from $5789

HAWAII for 13-days round-trip Honolulu

• Start in Honolulu for 3-nights, then on to the big Island for Volcanoes NP, and a 3-night stay in Kona.  Next to Kauai for 3-nights, and finish in Maui for 3-nights
• Departures year-round from $6066 (including inter-island air, once you’re in Hawaii)

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32 
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

UNIWORLD FOR TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS — You probably know UNIWORLD as the “Boutique Hotel on the River”.  Today, I want to talk about that, and also their pre and post RAIL journeys.  Exploring the world by train is much like a river cruise: you get ever changing scenery and experiences, and only have to unpack ONCE. 

Uniworld is amongst the most inclusive of the river brands:

• Unlimited premium spirits, beer, and wines
• All gratuities
• A choice of shore excursion in every port of call.
• Airport transfers (whether or not you book your air through Uniworld)
• On board fitness and wellness facilities.
• Wifi on the ship

Besides the value of having these things included, it changes the culture on board.  There’s a big difference between presenting your key card for a second glass of wine, versus having someone come along and top you up.  It’s much more like being a guest in someone’s home on Uniworld. 

Boutique River Ships — Each of Uniworld’s ships is uniquely different – designed and decorated to reflect the area through which it sails.  In France, on the SS Joie de Vivre, there’s a French Bistro, and a Wine Cellar Restaurant right on the boat.  River cruises are about what you do on shore, and Uniworld’s custom river ships amplify that experience when you’re on the boat.  

Uniworld river ships hold around 120 guests (versus as many as 190 guests on similar sized competitors’ vessels).  Fewer passengers mean not only better service, but it also allows space for amenities on the ship like a spa, a pool, a fitness center, self-serve laundry facilities, and extra passenger space in lounges, restaurants and other public areas.

Privileged Access:  Imagine seeing Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s, or busy museums before or after hours, when you’re not competing with thousands of others.  Uniworld offers this.

Cruise & Rail:  Uniworld has a number of itineraries where you can add a rail journey pre or post river cruise:

MAY OFFER:  For ANY Uniworld cruise booked in May, we’re able to add an additional $150 per person on board credit.

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Uniworld, and the pre & post rail journeys:  https://youtu.be/wyDZSrvEym0 

Have something to say about this?

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

UNIWORLD RIVER & RAIL Combinations

Uniworld has partnered with GOLDEN EAGLE for unforgettable river & rail combinations.  Here are two examples:

ROMANIA to ITALY: Bucharest to Venice departing April 24, 2026 for 17-days

• Start in Bucharest for 2 hotel nights, then embark for 7-nights on the river travelling through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary.  Transfer to the train in Vienna, and spend 7-nights aboard, traveling through Austria, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and Slovenia before finishing in Venice.
• Fares from $24,898

TURKEY to FRANCE: Istanbul to Paris for 15-days

• Board the train for 6-nights starting in Istanbul, and then travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and France.  Transfer to your river boat, and spend one-week aboard sailing to Normandy, and back to Paris
• Departures in May, September or October 2026 from $24,098

Here are other Uniworld RIVER & RAIL Combinations:

• 15-days Passau (Bavaria) to Venice
• Budapest to Venice 16-days
• Milan to Istanbul for 19-days
• Venice to Istanbul 17-days
• INDIA: Kolkata to New Delphi (or Mumbai) for 16-days

Here’s UNIWORLD’S webpage on RIVERS & RAIL:

https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/cruise-and-rail

SILVERSEA Destinations with RAIL extensions

For RAIL enthusiasts, there are a number of destinations where you can add a rail component  to your cruise.  Here are a few ideas:

SCOTLAND & IRELAND: Dublin to Edinburgh departing April 23, 2026 for 11-days

• Visit a port every day, including Belfast and the Shetland Islands
• Verandas from $12,150
• ADD ON: Royal Scotsman round-trip Edinburgh for 2 – 7 nights from £5300

SCOTLAND & ICELAND: Edinburgh to Reykjavik departing May 4, 2026 for 11-days

• Visit 6 ports in Scotland, 2 in the Faroe Islands, and 6 stops in Iceland
• Verandas from $10,850
• ADD ON: Royal Scotsman round-trip Edinburgh for 2 – 7 nights from £5300

ALASKA: Vancouver to Anchorage for 7-nights

You can add rail at BOTH ends of cruises between Vancouver and Anchorage.  Here’s an example:

• Visit Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, and Seward.
• 2025: Depart August 14 from $4850
• 2026: Depart May 21 from $4850
• ADD: Alaska Rail to Denali for 6-days from $1349
• ADD: Rocky Mountaineer (examples below).  Any journey that starts or ends in Vancouver can be combined with Rocky Mountaineer.  

ACTIVE ADVENTURES with HX 

Even in more REMOTE destinations, you can add a RAIL component on your trip:

NORTHERN LIGHTS in NORWAY with HX

• Round-trip from Tromso, for 7-nights with 5 stops on Norwegian Coast
• Northern lights PROMISE.  If you DON’T see the Aurora Borealis on this journey HX will put you on another cruise.  
• Departures November through March from $4761
• ADD:  the world famous FLAM RAILWAY from Bergen

NORWAY FJORDS & SCOTLAND departing March 28, 2026 for 10-days

• Start in Tromso, make 4 port stops in the fjords, 2 stops in Scotland, and finish in Glasgow
• Fares from $4859

PERU: Machu Picchu & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS for 12-days

• Start in Lima, then fly to Cusco, and take the TRAIN to Machu Picchu (the lost city of the Incas).  Next it’s on to Quito where you can stand on the equator, visit the UNESCO world heritage site old town, and then on to Galapagos Islands, where you’ll spend 4 days on a ship
• 2026:  departures March through December from $10,255 (includes on-tour air)

DEMYSTIFYING EXPEDITION:  If you think you need to be an Olympic athlete to enjoy an expedition cruise, then you’ll want to watch this interview where Bob chats with Alex McNeil – the Chief Expedition Officer for HX Expeditions.  You might be surprised who goes on Expedition Cruises, and what they’re all about:

https://youtu.be/niB-OWhUSSs?si=TNZxSuQJsdjU57gU

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Luxury Rail Journeys

Vancouver is the largest cruise ship port in North America outside of Florida, and it’s more than Alaskan cruises.  You can sail to Hawaii, Japan, and California Coastals as well, and add a RAIL component to any of them. 

Vancouver to Banff for 5-nights

• Spend 2-nights in Vancouver, then board the train to Kamloops, and then follow on to Banff for 2-nights.
• Prices range between $2904 and $4968 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.  Departures available April through October. 

Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights

• Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3-nights), Lake Louise (2-nights), Jasper (2-nights), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
• Prices range between $9940 to $12,110 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.  Departures available April through October.

In Case You Missed It:

AIR TRAVEL Survival Guide.  Air travel is better than it was, but not as good as it needs to be.  Here are some ideas on how to cope with AIR TRAVEL:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/air-travel-survival-guide-2/

TRAVEL TRIVIA.  How much fluid do you lose on a 10-hour flight?  If you fly from Istanbul to Mexico City, which country’s airspace are you in the longest?  These any other mysteries unpacked:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-trivia/

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

ALASKA – WHAT TO PACK:  We’ve been to Alaska several times, and made every packing mistake possible.  So here’s our list of what to pack for a trip to ALASKA:  https://youtu.be/m3APP25a9cE 

Reminder: VISITING THE UK?

You now need to complete an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if you are visiting or connecting a flight anywhere in the UK.  England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland require US Passport Holders to complete this prior to arrival.  Here’s a video we did that contains all the details:  https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

THE PROBLEM WITH ONLINE REVIEWS:  You remember a world without the internet (meaning you’re probably as old as, or older, than me).  As the internet developed, wiki sites appeared to be the antidote to the sales and marketing campaigns of big companies.  The definition of “wiki” is a website that allows users to contribute to or edit the content on that website.

Trip Advisor, Cruise Critic, and Facebook Groups are all examples of wiki sites.  What follows is not a comment on those channels, but a caution and suggestion of how they should be used.  

Wiki sites have undoubtedly added a layer of democracy to the information out there, but like anything else, they need to be read with a critical filter – just like the marketing campaigns of travel vendors should be viewed critically.

Here’s a demonstration that will reinforce my point:  Think of the most fantastic vacation or travel experience that you’ve ever had.  Maybe it’s a cruise, maybe it’s a destination, or maybe even a restaurant or attraction.  Go to a wiki site and be amazed by how many reviews have exactly the opposite opinion of yours.  Marvel in how many people say that your perfect experience was the worst-ever for them!

Part of this is the reality that everyone assesses an experience with different criteria.  However, the other consideration is that wiki sites tend to attract participation by those who either have a real axe to grind OR who want to share their perfect experience with everyone.  This leads to a whole bunch of 1-star ratings, and another large group of 5-star ratings, and very little in the middle.  It is binary – it is either the “worst-ever” or the “best-ever”.  Not very useful.

What IS useful are the few comments and reviews that fall between the 1’s and the 5’s – particularly those with specific feedback for how they came up with such an assessment.

Here’s suggestion as to how to use wiki sites to your advantage:

• ELIMINATE all the top and bottom scored reviews.
• ELIMINATE those without comments describing how they came up with that rating.
• IGNORE overall scores – these are easy to manipulate, and not very instructional.
• IGNORE comments that make sweeping declarations (“BEST cruise line ever”).  Anyone who makes such a declaration has almost certainly not been on ALL the others.
• PAY ATTENTION to the very few people out there who are thoughtful enough to objectively state what they like and don’t like and why, and invite others to disagree.

This means there is a very small percentage of the total reviews and comments on any of those wiki sites that you should actually pay attention to.  Consider it like panning for gold – you need to be patient and pay close attention or order to mine out the valuable nuggets.  

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about how they use wiki sites, and the precautions to be taken:  https://youtu.be/UrVT7sOVhX0 

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0GRSF71ykmBaRiEM6rSj5cuCk9KtuEGkU2oU17rQjoMvt3AaXKickDUhF83TnLD54l

Today’s Travel Opportunities

THEMED RIVER CRUISES with AMA WATERWAYS

If you have a particular interest, wouldn’t it be great to sail with other like-minded individuals on a themed river cruise?  Here’s some ideas from AMA:

Smithsonian Journeys

These cruises are hosted by experts from the Smithsonian Institute, with custom excursion options curated by Smithsonian.

• Paris and Normandy, departing May 14, 2026 for one-week
• Hosted by Lisa Bauman & Chris Ketcherside 
• Fares from $5049

Learn more about Smithsonian Journeys: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/smithsonian-journeys

Celebration of Music 

Focused mostly on Classical Music on select Danube River Cruises.  Hosted by renowned musicians and conductors, with special live performances.

• Danube River round-trip Budapest.  Visit Bratislava, Melk, Linz, Vienna (overnight)
• 2025: Depart September 24 from $4639
• 2026:  Depart April 4 from $3949

Learn more about Celebration of Music Journeys:  https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/music#2025 

Celebration of Beer

• Hosted by a knowledgeable beer expert, with beer tastings, food pairings and lectures
• Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel departing November 8, 2025 from $3139

Learn more about Celebration of Beer Journeys: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/beer-cruises 

Golf Journeys

• These are great if you’d like to play 4 or 5 rounds of golf at different courses along your journey, with all the details taken care of for you.  Especially great for couples with only ONE golfer.
• Danube between Vilshofen (Bavaria) to Budapest.  Visit Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava.
• 2025: Departures May through October from $4389
• 2026: Departures May through October from $3849

Learn about AMA’s Concierge Golf Program: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/explore/golf-cruises 

AMA’s TRIPLE SAVINGS on Select Sailings:

• $2000 Off per Stateroom
• $100 on board credit per Stateroom
• Complimentary Stateroom upgrade

See full list of eligible sailings: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/triple-savings/2025 

AZAMARA

Until April 30th, you can take advantage of AZAMARA’s “Immerse & Discover” promotion for 2025 sailings.  Get up to $1000 on board cabin credit:

Here are some of AZAMARA’s Country Intensive Voyages:

SPAIN from Barcelona to Lisbon departing November 11 for 11-nights 

• Visit Barcelona, Valencia, Majorca, Alicante, Motril, Malaga, Ceuta, Seville (2 nights), Lisbon
• Verandas from $3879 pp

ITALY from Nice to Venice departing October 9 for 11-nights

• Visit Nice, Florence (overnight), Rome, Salerno, Sicily, Crotone, Taranto, Kotor, Venice (overnight)
• Verandas from $4699 pp

CROATIA & GREECE departing October 20 for 10-nights

• Visit Venice, Piran, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Argostoli, Crete, Santorini, Athens
• Verandas $5559 pp

SEACLOUD – A River Cruise on the Ocean?

What if you could experience the intimacy of a river boat, but visit salt-water locations?  SeaCloud sailing vessels hold between 64 and 136 guests, and operate in Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and the Canary Islands.  If you enjoy the river cruising experience with history, art, culture, cuisine, and personal enrichment, then give SeaCloud a look.  We’ll be travelling with them in June… so stay tuned!

Here is a wonderful video introduction to Sea Cloud: https://youtu.be/CHSOfRky-HA?si=3p74-dnXiLf88mke

MEDITERRANEAN: Naples to Nice departing October 6 for 7-nights

• Visit Bastia (Corsica), Viareggio (Italy), Portofino, Menton (France), St. Tropez
• Fares from $4575

CARIBBEAN: Philipsburg (St. Maarten) round-trip departing March 26 for 7-nights

• Visit St. Barts, Dominica, Isles des Saintes, Martinique, Anguilla, 
• Fares from $6495

CROATIA: Venice to Dubrovnik departing August 25, 2026 for 7-nights

• Visit Ravenna, Pula, Korcula, Split, Montenegro
• From $7495

Domestic LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE

SOUTHERN CHARM:  Charleston, Savannah, & Jekyll Island for 7-days

• Visit Antebellum Charleston, and the country’s oldest public market, see historic Savannah, and stay at the Jekyll Island Club, and visit the Sea Turtle Center.  
• Departures March through November from $3149
• 1-minute ‘Southern Charm’ video: https://youtu.be/2EWB9qvQc6c?si=qyFpoKIy265vIUU_

Northern California and Yosemite for 8-days

• Visit Monterey, Carmel, Modesto (for Yosemite), Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, San Francisco
• Departures April through October from $3099
• 2-minute ‘National Parks of America’ video: https://youtu.be/acu-hcuIFHo?si=61mqAf64xIqB-eQd

NEW YORK for 5-days

• Visit Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial.
• Includes 4-nights at the Sheraton Times Square, 5 meals, and 2 Broadway shows.
• Departures in February & March 2026 from $2399
• 1-minute ‘Spotlight on New York’ video: https://youtu.be/_rRyuJ38vYc?si=CKlmKP0UKvNXTT2j

HOLLAND AMERICA PRIVATE SALE:

If you’re thinking about Australia/New Zealand for this coming winter, or  Alaska in 2026, you have a few days left to take advantage of our Holland America Private Sale.  Here’s the details:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/holland-america-private-sale-in-april/

In Case You Missed It:

GREENLAND – See icebergs, glaciers, whales, wildlife, and indigenous culture… all within a 4-hour flight of New York: https://pamperedcruiser.com/greenland-add-it-to-your-bucket-list/ 

AMA WATERWAYS – Pay just 90 days in advance of departure.  Choose between multiple included shore excursions at every port.  Experience an elevated culinary experience:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/ama-waterways-private-sale-90-day-final-payment/

Our Latest YOUTUBE Video:

ALASKA – WHAT TO PACK:  We’ve been to Alaska several times, and made every packing mistake possible.  So here’s our list of what to pack for a trip to ALASKA:  https://youtu.be/m3APP25a9cE 

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley