One thing we can all agree on is that life is never dull! The good news is that the Omicron variant is abating and previously closed countries are opening their borders to international travelers. In celebration of that, we are highlighting the seasons in Australia as well as unique world festivals that are back in 2022! Plus, we are featuring private driver vacations in Ireland, Britain and Iceland; and igniting your curiosity transatlantic cruising, new ways to see the world, Go Local Tours by Oceania Cruises, and exclusive accommodations in The Haven by Norwegian® and Princess Sky Suites. All of which we hope ignites your passion to travel.

Contact us today so we can create an extraordinary vacation specifically for you.

Picture yourself riding a gentle Icelandic horse amid the magnificence of the island’s rugged landscapes. Or discovering Scottish history by traveling into the Highlands and visiting its finest castles. Or speaking with artisanal and traditional food producers as you sample the cheese, chocolate, and bread at a centuries-old Irish market. And perhaps at the end of an exciting day, relaxing by the fire in a pub, listening to traditional music and chatting with locals.

As you have been doing your own travel dreaming or research, you may have come across this word: all-inclusive, and it sounds too good to be true! In a world that seems set on nickel-and-diming its consumers, the idea of an all-inclusive sounds completely made-up. Well today, we wanted to share with you what you can expect from an all-inclusive destination.

All-inclusive destinations can deliver surprising luxuries, service and cuisine at an affordable and pre-determined price. In most cases there are no additional fees to participate in activities or entertainment. Once you've booked your vacation, you are able to indulge in delicious meals, unlimited drinks and many activities, all without the worry of running up a huge tab.

Do you want to combine multiple idyllic European cities with gorgeous and scenic transportation? We think it is time for you to check out a River Cruise! We wanted to share some reasons why River Cruising is gaining even more popularity as it includes some extras and amenities that you may not have even thought about. And if you are already convinced and want to see one possible route and ship, check out this video for a beautiful Portugal river cruise we have the option of booking for you.

While your picture of a cruise might be more like the ocean liners with around 3,000 guests on board, you can expect to find around 150 people on the larger river cruises. That's a whole lot less crowds and a whole lot more of the quiet cruising you may be looking for.

Some river boat companies come equipped with complimentary bikes (or even e-bikes) that you can take off the ship to tour the city. Whether your bike takes you to a nearby quiet countryside or to a local biergarten for a bite and brew is up to you!

Have you ever woken up and just wanted the freshest baked goods? Imagine sailing through France and waking up to a port where a quick morning stroll would take you to some delicious croissants or pain au chocolat! 

With many romantic castles having a footstool on the rivers of Europe you could easily fall asleep with some of the most breathtaking views of castles that one can only find on a river cruise.

In the age of the internet, you might be wondering, "Isn't it just easier to book my own trips?"
With the advancement of technology and the world at your fingertips, there are a lot of options out there--but with so many options come an increase in confusion and stress about finding the best deal. Time and time again, the experts will tell you to find yourself a trusted travel agent and we have to agree! We wanted to share a few reasons why we believe using a travel agency is to your benefit and will ultimately help you have a more successful booking and travel experience. 

Average Americans spend 200 days daydreaming about their vacation, but are becoming fatigued after just 40 minutes of research! The internet is full of information and there are an overwhelming amount of options. Have you tried googling 'Tuscan Villa' before? 10.9 million results return with many pages that look the same. We believe planning your dream vacation should be fun! Allow us to handle all the calls, research and booking so you don't have to. 

We have spent years traveling, researching and building relations with key companies & destinations! We are your best value since we can gather all your options to create the best experience at the right price for your budget. We design with your budget in mind, ensuring you find that perfect package that fits your needs!

We can suggest enhancements to your dream vacation that you may not have thought of and can handle all the moving parts with ease. Your finished travel plans will have everything you need to fly, drive, and explore your destination. We take care of all of the details so that you can relax and relish in what is important--making new memories!

It is no surprise that unexpected travel interruptions happen! Whether it is a weather event, a pandemic, or you need to cancel your own trip, we're here to help you navigate the sudden changes and refund policies. Booking with a trusted travel agency means that instead of waiting on hold for a national call center, you get to speak to someone right away and we will do what we can to rebook your travel or work towards a refund.

We made it!  2021 is behind us and 2022 is here.
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With all of the ups and downs of the previous twenty-two months, it is hard to believe all that has been delayed and cancelled. And yet, there have still been moments of deep enjoyment in our lives and we hope and pray the same can be said of yours as well. 

As we look ahead at this new year, we may not know exactly what to expect or what this year will hold. But know that we are journeying through this year with you and are here for you in the bumps and bends of the road. We hope to have the enjoyment of helping you dream and visit that location you have been eyeing or take that much needed rest this year.

​When you're ready to make those dreams a reality, give us a call.

There are so many Christmas traditions in America--some with roots in Germany or Puritan culture and some made popular through commercialism and story telling. We thought that it would be fun to share some of the origin stories to five Christmas traditions so you can share it with those around you this holiday season!

Nicholas was born around 280AD in Lycia, now modern day Turkey. As the story goes, Nicholas lost both of his parents as a young man and decided to use his inheritance to help those around him. He is credited to giving money to a father who needed dowries for his three daughters, stopping a violent storm to save three sailors and even reviving the lives of three boys who were brutally murdered by a butcher! Because of his reputation, he is known as the patron saint of children, sailors, wolves and even pawnbrokers. His fame grew in the Middle Ages as his story reached Europe and the Dutch translated his name to Sinterklaas and most likely brought the tale to the Americas when they migrated to the Hudson River Valley. By the 1800s, cartoonists were depicting St. Nicholas as a portly dutchman with a white beard, delivering his gifts to homes in a flying sled--the image we most likely think of today. Much of the world celebrates the life of St. Nicholas on the approximate date of his death, December 6 by leaving gifts in your loved ones shoes or exchanging them the way you  might on Christmas.

The earliest versions we know of date to 1903 in Germany with a publisher who wanted a way for children to be able to count down to Christmas (I'm sure it was created to give a more visual answer to the seemingly incessant "how many more days until Christmas?" question children love asking). Originally, the doors or windows on the advent calendar could be opened to contain Bible verses, poems or a small gift. Today, advent calendars can be based on any theme a company or product desires--from socks and chocolate to wine and nail polish--making it a fun and festive countdown for anybody on your Christmas list.

This fun, yummy and albeit messy Christmas traditions again lies in German history with the story of "Hansel and Gretel," written by the Brothers Grimm. As the story goes, two children are walking along in the forest and stumble upon a house made of gingerbread and candy where an evil witch lives. While I wouldn't suggest this as the story to read before making your own gingerbread house, it's fun to know where it all began.  And if you opt for a smaller activity and want to decorate gingerbread cookies instead, you can thank Queen Elizabeth I who first made this tradition popular.

One of the must-sees of the Christmas season is the Nutcracker ballet, which premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892. It is the combination of the beautiful work of composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographer Marius Petipa. It was brought to England in 1934 and made it's way to San Francisco in 1944. With performances across the nation beginning in the 1960s, it is now a beloved must-see Christmas tradition. 

Want to guess where candy canes come from?? If you guessed Germany, you are right! They really knew how to promote new holiday traditions. These peppermint treats date back to 1670, when a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany wanted an easy distraction for his younger singers. Though sweets are not usually a welcomed notion in the church services, this choirmaster added a hook to the traditionally straight peppermint sticks to pay homage to the Christmas story, appeasing the church board. These red and white striped candies didn't arrive in the United States until 1847, when a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio placed one on a tree. When the automated candy-cane making machine was created in the 1950s, these sweet, minty candies solidified as a permanent Christmas treat, becoming the No. 1 non-chocolate candy sold in the month of December. 

Did you learn something new about one of your family's Christmas traditions? We hope you enjoy celebrating this holiday season and being with your loved ones as you share stories and traditions with one another.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season is beginning this week! We know that you may have friends or relatives who began buying all of their holiday gifts months ago, but if you're like us, you may just be getting started!

During normal years, this seemed easy enough. Head downtown to your local shops and purchase something unique for a friend or maybe you shop online for convenience of having something shipped directly to that relative who lives in another town or state. However, one of the added frustrations to the pandemic and global marketplace this year is the reality that our supply chain infrastructure is delayed at almost every turn. This means that while you used to be able to just go to a store or online site and find your gifts with relative ease, this year there may be a more limited supply and inventory.

But there is one gift that is still easily accessible and fun to gift--TRAVEL!

In addition to many people having a pent-up wanderlust from all of the pandemic stay-at-home orders, they might also be looking for something to give or receive rather than physical gifts. 

Maybe instead of buying another Christmas tie or newest tech gadget, you could gift your family a cruise or adventure for everyone. Instead of asking for another piece of jewelry or cooking gadget, you could ask for a beachside getaway. Better yet, you could buy a fun, unique piece of jewelry in one of these beautiful locations!

When you look back on past holidays and celebrations, we're betting that many of the gifts you've received aren't even around anymore. Things get broken or lost, clothes don't fit, electronics become quickly outdated. And those things move to the back of your memory. But with travel, nothing is more memorable. Travel memories are long remembered and appreciated even after the trip is over. And at least this year, you won't need to worry about your gift being stuck on a container ship somewhere far away.

If you're like us, you've watched the summer fade into fall. While the change in seasons is always welcomed in the hottest parts of the North State, we're missing the long days lounging by the waters and soaking up the sun.  
Our friends at Down Under Answers have some terrific Tahiti Specials that we want to share with you. So while the colors change and leaves fall, let's not just dream of the sunny days--let's travel to these idyllic locales! 
With turquoise lagoons, sugary-white sand beaches, dramatic volcanic peaks and vanilla scented air, it is easy to see why the islands of Tahiti are known as the Islands of Love. Offering stunning sunsets, romantic beach walks and some of the best diving in the world, Tahiti truly is a destination for romantics at heart..