“If I could have ONE wish this holiday season, it would be for all the children of the world to hold hands and sing together in a spirit of harmony and peace. If I had two wishes this holiday season, the second would be for $30 million a month be given to ME, tax free in a Swiss bank account”
-Steve Martin
If you want to see the full clip from Saturday Night Live in 1986, here’s the link:
https://youtu.be/_uVUSBi3u0E?si=Phzs9-fz9xkkLytu
Whatever you’re celebrating this month, you undoubtedly have some traditions, or maybe just routines that define the festive season. At our house, Christmas is a state of mind more than it is a tree, decorations, and gifts. This is partly because we travel a lot, and many years we are NOT at home for Christmas. It also stems from our tendency AWAY from things, and more towards experiences.
Bob and I prefer not to exchange gifts, and we’ve always tried to be minimal when bestowing gifts on our children and grandchildren. We DO spoil them with experiences. Sometimes this is flying them to a different location for Christmas, but often it is just about being with them, with a few regular routines:
- ELF: We started watching this when our kids were younger, and never grew out of it. I still love seeing this movie every year.
- The GRINCH: None of the remakes… the original animated version from 1966 starring Boris Karloff.
- Get OUTSIDE: I spent 4 years growing up in Australia, where a trip to the beach is a normal Christmas Day routine. It’s more difficult to do that in North America, but getting outside is a key part of our Christmas tradition regardless of where we find ourselves.
PERI – if you know Peri from our office, you’ll be happy to know she will spend this whole 4-day long weekend in the company of her large extended family. She’ll make the rounds to various relatives’ homes, and if the weather permits on the Eastern Atlantic shore… she’ll be outside too!
KIM – If you’ve spoken with Kim in the past month, she may or may not have disclosed she is in Mexico in a small town north of Manzanillo on the Pacific Coast. She and her husband spend winters there, and will celebrate Christmas with close friends. Their kids won’t make it down this year, which inspired them to celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving together this year at the end of November.
YOU – However you choose to observe Christmas, Hanukkah, other traditions (or perhaps none at all), it is our sincere wish that you enjoy this season with those most important to you, and that you create tomorrow’s memories in a way most meaningful to you.
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED Podcast
Check out our UNPACKED PODCAST where Kim & Bob talk about TRAVELLING at CHRISTMAS, and the traditions in their households.
In Case You Missed It:
EASTERN EUROPE: Europe’s a big place, and if you haven’t explored the Eastern part, there’s lots to learn and discover.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/destination-eastern-europe/
OCEANIA: With a strong focus on the culinary offering, Oceania positions itself between the premium cruise lines, and the luxury lines.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-private-sale-in-june/
TRAVEL MISCONCEPTIONS: For those of us that grew up here in the US, we are somewhat sheltered from the rest of the world. Here’s some things to consider when travelling abroad.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/deprogramming-travel-misconceptions/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
MEKONG River with AMA WATERWAYS. Kim speaks with Alex Pinello from AMA while they were travelling on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid02oiCpNj7GnXj95W2P5cyLYg6g25VyrC7JNrzecarfwmZgqVU3DHJN1kzgiz6kpUdwl
Today’s Travel Opportunities
AMA WATERWAYS RIVER CRUISES
If you’re looking for an elevated culinary experience, lots of included shore excursion options, AND a final payment date ONLY 90 DAYS prior to departure, then look at AMA. They are on ALL the rivers in Europe, and here are two options outside of Europe:
COLOMBIA: Barranquilla to Cartagena for 7-nights
- Take in 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.
- Only a 4 HOUR FLIGHT from many US Gateways.
- Pre/post available to Medellin and/or Panama.
- Departures year round. Pricing starts at $3789
Here’s a short video of a MOTHER-SON trip with AMA in Colombia that perfectly captures why you need to make memories with your kids and grandkids when you can:
https://youtu.be/tGbLg6R7mfI?si=YLDqAyklNozmvlM2
MEKONG River: Vietnam & Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap for 7-nights
- Visit local markets and temples, do a local school visit, get a tuk-tuk tour of Phnom Penh, and experience the amazing people, culture and food of the unique part of the world on a fully escorted trip.
- Departures January through April AND August through December from $3739
AMA on the MEKONG. Kim from our office travelled with Alex Pinelo from AMA Waterways on the Mekong, and put together this video: https://youtu.be/tvA_WHOYuLo
SILVERSEA Traditional Small-Ship Luxury
AUSTRALIA EAST COAST from Melbourne to Sydney departing January 3, 2027 for 14-days
- Visit Eden, Newcastle, Fraser Island, Townville, Willis Island, Cairns, Mooloolaba.
- Fares from $6930
NORWAY & UK Extended Voyage from Stockholm to London departing August 2 for 23-days
- Visit Copenhagen, Aarhus (Denmark), Oslo (overnight), 4 port stops on the Norwegian Coast, Falmouth, Fishguard, Liverpool, Belfast, Invergordon, Edinburgh, and Honfleur..
- Fares from $11,000
OCEANIA Smaller Ship Exploration
If you’re looking for an experience focused on the destination and the culinary experience, Oceania is a good choice:
ALASKA round-trip Seattle departing July 2 for 12-days
- Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Wrangell, Klawock, Victoria
- Verandas from $5580
ICELAND round-trip Reykjavik departing July 4, 2027 for 10-days
- Visit 8 ports in Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands
- Fares from $4099
Oceania has changed the inclusions offered in the base fare. If it seems like they just did that… you are correct (but it was a year ago). Your Oceania fare will now include:
- Onboard Gratuities
- Specialty Dining
- Unlimited Wifi
- Choice of Beer/Wine with meals OR Shore Excursion Credit
ATLAS Small Ship EPICUREAN EXPEDITIONS
Atlas carries under 200 guests, and when their ships aren’t in Antarctica, they conduct CULINARY and CULTURAL Expeditions in Europe. Here are two examples:
CANARIES & ATLANTIC EUROPE: Tenerife to London departing April 17 for 14-nights
- Start in Santa Cruz (Tenerife), and then visit Funchal (overnight), Lisbon, Porto, Bilbao, Bordeaux (overnight), St. Malo, Honfleur, and finish in London at the Tower Bridge.
- Fares from $6487
PORTUGAL, MOROCCO & CANARIES: Porto to Lisbon departing May 13 for 11-nights
- Board in Porto, and then visit Funchal (overnight), and then onto 3 port stops in the Canary Islands, before heading to Morocco to visit Agadir, Safi, and Casablanca. Finish in Lisbon.
- Fares from $7259
**Exclusive $200 per person On Board Credit only through our agency.
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS – Lindblad
Here are two CLOSE-TO-HOME options for incredible scenery and outdoor activity:
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
- 2026: March/April from $3675. September/October from $4243.
WHALE WATCHING in MAGDALENA BAY (Baja California) for 6-days round-trip Loreto
- Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay for 6 days Jan, Feb, Mar.
- 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.
- 2026: Departures January through March from $2524.
- 2027: Departures January through March from $3947.
LAND CRUISES with INTREPID PREMIUM
AFRICA: KENYA & TANZANIA from Nairobi to Arusha for 15-days
- If you’re going to Africa to see wild game… this is the trip for you.
- Start your adventure in East Africa’s Gateway of Nairobi, then head to the Great Rift Valley to see lions, hippos, and multiple species of bird. Do a game-drive by 4 X 4 where you’ll see leopards and rhinos. The next stop is Maasai Mara NP where you’ll meet the local tribes-people, and visit a zebra reserve, and also see elephant, wildebeest, gazelle, giraffe, and cheetahs. Your journey continues on to Arusha where you’ll start the Tanzanian leg of your trip by 4 X 4. Next it’s on to Ngorongoro Crater, where you’re almost guaranteed to see all the game. Stay at Serengeti NP in a luxury tented camp. Take an optional hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.
- Fares from $12,317 January through October.
CROATIA & SLOVENIA for 16-days:
- Start in Venice and then travel to Slovenia where you’ll see Postojna Caves, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and Lake Bohinj. You’ll then travel to Croatia to visit Motovun and Buzet before heading inland again to see the incredibly scenic Plitvice Lakes NP. From there it’s out to the Dalmatian Coast to experience Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Korcula, before finishing with 2-nights in Dubrovnik.
- This trip offers a comprehensive experience in Croatia, with some days in Slovenia, which has yet to be discovered (but it won’t be long).
- Weekly departures April through October from $8560.
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
Sue Bradley
