Will you join us?

Who wants to join us on a River Cruise?
(There are amazing rates on group River Cruises!)

As many of you know, we are passionate about "river cruising". This passion quickly became my travel specialty area. We experienced our first river cruise eight years ago in September, and it was love at first boarding! I immediately fell in love with this type of travel. There is nothing more relaxing than unpacking just once and enjoying panoramic scenery from your floating hotel, as you meander up the river. Plus, the food and drinks are divine!

River cruising has improved tremendously since 2009. There are now several different river cruise companies that cater to the North American market. We enjoy working with all of them, and recommend them all based on their high satisfaction ratings. If you enjoy history, culture, amazing food and fine wine, you just can't beat a river cruise!

Viking is the best known river cruise line in the United States. It's not surprising because they have the most ships and offer the most itineraries. This allows them to offer the best pricing, including tremendous deals on contracted air fares. Many of you will have seen their television commercials;  and trust me, the river cruise experience is EVEN better than what you can see in their commercials!

If you have always wanted to experience a river cruise yourself, I've got a GREAT DEAL for you! But, don't delay because they sell out very quickly! You can secure a cabin for just $500 per person. For bookings made before December 31st, Viking are offering economy air to many parts of Europe for an unbelievably low price from just $395 per person in October 2018 and 2019! Remember, a river cruise is "inclusive" with an excursion in every port. Award-winning wine, beer and other beverages are included with both lunch and dinner.

Our personal favorite time to travel to Europe is in October. It is a quieter time to travel when the kids are back in school, and we like to take advantage of "shoulder season" for air travel when the prices drop a bit. We arranged a Viking River Cruise Group booking for their popular "Rhine Getaway" (Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland) that departs on October 17th, 2018. Click here for more details.



Would 2019 work better for you?  We now also have a 2019 Viking River Cruise Group for the 'Lyon and Provence' itinerary that departs on October 8th, 2019 (from Lyon to Avignon in France). With either of these group cruises, you are able to take advantage of our group discount of $125 per person. A deposit is needed to secure your spot. Contact me today if you are interested because there is limited availability with both of these sailings.

Call me at 336-790-8911 or email me for more details!  We would love to have you join us!!

Is Yellowstone National Park on your bucket list?

Yellowstone National Park and nearby Jackson Hole are very popular family summer destinations. If you have never been to these amazing spots, NOW is the best time to plan your visit. The scenery is just breathtaking! Yellowstone is the "world's first national park," and Teton Village, a scenic resort area, is just 10 miles from Jackson Hole.

One of the closest and easiest airports to fly into is the Jackson Hole Airport. Nearby, there are lots of activities that will interest the whole family. Choose from hiking in Grand Teton National Park, whitewater rafting down the Snake River, horseback riding, fly fishing, and wildlife tours. Of course, there is shopping and great local restaurants. Pack your outdoor gear and go have some fun!

The south entrance of Yellowstone National Park is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Jackson Hole. Yellowstone is nearly 3,500 square miles. Most of the park is located in Wyoming, but it does spread into parts of Montana and Idaho.

Yellowstone Park has spectacular scenery with canyons, Alpine rivers, hot springs, and geysers. Visitors love seeing the park's most famous geyser - "Old Faithful".


This amazing park is home to a great variety of wildlife. Bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope live in the park. There is no "best time" to visit because each season is magical. Decide what you want to see, and I will tell you the best time to visit. The summer months (June to August) is the busiest time of year when the weather is warm and school-age children are on summer vacation. The important thing to remember is to plan early because the camp sites and lodges on the park's ground sell out very quickly!

How much is the entrance fee to Yellowstone?
$25 for a private, non-commercial vehicle.
$20 for a motorcycle or snowmobile in winter.
$12 for visitors 16 years and older entering by foot, bike or skis.


Note that these fees provide the visitor with a seven-day entrance permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The $10 Interagency Senior Pass (62 and older) is a lifetime pass available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Contact me today if Yellowstone National Park is on YOUR bucket list. I would love to help you customize a vacation for you and your family to these amazing places!

Why IRELAND?

We always try to plan a year ahead because there are so many amazing places to go! We decide where we want to travel next, and then we make it happen. On our "bucket list" for 2018 is Ireland. I thought you might want to know why....

Ireland is truly a fascinating place to visit. Although I can't promise you great weather, the scenery and people make up for a wee bit of wet weather. Visitors rave about incredibly beautiful lush green fields, stunning cliffs and gorgeous historic castles. You'll adore stops in intriguing villages with legendary pubs where the locals will break into impromptu traditional music or bend your ear with their love for stories that go back over many generations.

As you may have read, flights to Dublin are competitively priced now with direct flights from places like New York and Washington, DC. Even better, there are several carriers that now offer direct flights from Charlotte, NC to Dublin, Ireland. This means you spend less time traveling and more time exploring magical Ireland. Call me for flight options.

Dublin itself is an interesting blend of both modern and historic - a city that is constantly absorbing new ideas, while still embracing old traditions.  If you like to eat (and who doesn't?), you will LOVE the wide variety of excellent food from gastro pubs and cool cafes to high-end Michelin-starred restaurants. Dublin is known for serving world-class seafood that is caught fresh every day. There is much to see and do in Dublin with something for everyone. Dublin hosts many music and literary festivals. Entrance to the famous National Gallery is now FREE!

So then, are you ready to explore Ireland? It is easy to travel by road, rail, air, bike or even on foot! There are many different tours available - for various lengths of time to fit any budget. Some prefer the adventure of a self-drive vacation so they can stop along the way. Hotel accommodation includes a night in a castle, well-known hotel chain, or one of the many quaint bed and breakfast establishments. A trip to Ireland can be customized for individuals, couples or groups. Our golfing trips receive rave reviews!!

If you are interested in exploring Ireland, contact me so I can help you plan your trip. I customize each trip to fit your interests, needs and budget. We can't wait for our own trip next year!!

Vancouver is STUNNING!

Well, I guess I might be a bit biased because I was born in Canada and lived in Vancouver for 16 years prior to moving to North Carolina, BUT believe me that a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia should be on your bucket list!

Situated on the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by mountains, this vibrant city truly is gorgeous. It is a gateway for cruises to Alaska, so I would definitely recommend spending several days before or after a cruise. I will tell you about some of my favorite places to go.

We generally stay in the Coal Harbour area in Vancouver, which is right on the water where the cruise ships dock. I love walking around the waterfront at any of time of day. There are lots of great places to stop for a cup of coffee, lunch or a glass of wine to enjoy the ever-changing views! You can even walk or bike from here to Stanley Park, which is huge and offers a path around the park's parameter to enjoy spectacular views of the water, mountains and majestic trees. It is also home to Canada's largest aquarium that is loved by visitors of all ages!

Later in the day, I would recommend that you wander just up the road to see the old steam clock in Gastown.
Some popular tours include whale watching, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and a gondola ride to the top of Grouse Mountain where you an enjoy stunning views of the city. There are many ways to get around. You can drive a rental car on the scenic route to Whistler Ski Village. Take a seaplane or a ferry to visit beautiful Victoria on Vancouver Island to visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens.

A trip to Vancouver is NOT complete without a visit to "Granville Island". This large public market is located under the Granville St. bridge and boasts a myriad of fun shops to explore as well as great restaurants and pubs. From here, you can drive or take a ferry ride across False Creek. Vancouver is a very cosmopolitan city offering many different types of ethnic food.

Are you ready to visit Vancouver? This city is great to visit at any time of the year. These are just a few of the many things you can see and do in Vancouver.

Contact Us for more information, and I would be happy to help you plan a trip to this stunning city!

Oh, the places you can visit in NYC!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Dr.Seuss said it best when he wrote "Congratulations! Today is your day - you're off and away". So, the question is where you want to go? 

Doesn't a trip to the Big Apple sound fun? I'm just back from a trip to New York City (NYC) and want to tell you about some fabulous spots.

Every time we visit our son in New York, he suggests new parts of the city for us to explore. Here are some hot spots that Sam showed us.

This time around he booked us into The Edition, which is located at Madison & 24 Street in the Flatiron neighborhood. Situated in the Clock Tower Building, this hotel is just steps away from Madison Square Park. It's also close to the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal and the The Morgan Library & Museum. As you can see from the photo, it offers great views of the city.

When you get hungry, stop by Eataly NYC Flatiron on the other side of the park. I love food, and this was the first stop on our list.

For those who have not experienced Eataly, it is a wonderful, vibrant Italian market place that is overflowing with high-quality products from Italy. It is home to an array of cafes and restaurants. 

We enjoyed an amazing lunch at Sabbia. This pop-up restaurant appears each summer on the rooftop at Eataly. Designed to look like an Italian seaside village, this eatery transports you to another place. You don't want to miss delicious food and great views of the Flatiron building.

Day two, Sam suggested we walk the High Line, which is an elevated park that extends from 34th Street down to the Meatpacking District. Old elevated train tracks have been converted into a park, and the line is 1.45 miles in length. Start walking, and you'll pass the heliport, go through the Chelsea neighborhood and end up in the Meatpacking District. This is just a short walk from Greenwich and the West Village.  We ended up having lunch in the West Village, which is one of my favorite parts of NYC.


A visit to New York is NOT complete without some time spent in Central Park. This popular park is 843 acres in size. Enjoy a walk along the paths and visit the the Boathouse area. Stop by the zoo to see the seal lions and polar bears.

This time around we had lunch at the iconic Tavern on the Green, which has recently re-opened. We enjoyed the ambiance and outdoor seating. Excellent food and great service was only enhanced with the company of good friends!

On our last night in the city, we wanted to see the latest developments near the Freedom Tower. We marveled at the state-of-the-art Oculus, which is the centerpiece of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. The photo doesn't do justice to this gigantic structure. This hub has 290,000 square feet of exciting multi-level retail and dining space!





There is so much to see and do in this area. We enjoyed a walk along the waterfront and stopped for a drink on a sailing ship before dinner. This was the perfect ending for our visit to this vibrant and exciting city. As you can see, I couldn't stop taking photos of the breathtaking views!

So are you ready to pack your suitcase and go away? I can plan a trip to meet any budget and length of time. Contact Us to help you plan your own getaway to magical New York City!!

A beautiful beach for each day of the year!

Antigua is best known for having 365 white sandy beaches - one for every day of the year!

Antigua is the largest of the British Leeward Islands in the West Indies. It boasts beautiful and safe shallow waters. Vacationers love this part of the world for its boating, excellent food, family-friendly activities and legendary cocktails! 

It has an ideal climate with temperatures ranging from the mid 70's in the winter to the mid 80's in the summer. Antigua is one of the sunniest islands in the Caribbean with an annual rainfall of ONLY 45 inches. But the best part is the LOW HUMIDITY year round!

Here are three reasons you should book a trip to Antigua!

EASY ACCESS
Several of the major airlines fly into Antigua. This island has a beautiful all-inclusive Sandals resort. Prefer a cruise? There are Southern Caribbean cruises that include a stop in amazing Antigua.

WATER SPORTS

Visitors rave about the famous "Nelson's Dockyard", which is the only Georgian Naval Dockyard in the world. This site was the home of the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars, and it was the headquarters of the legendary Admiral Lord Nelson from 1784-1787.

This island destination offers sport fishing, windsurfing and kite boarding. There are also some beautiful golf courses for those who prefer recreation on land!

NATURAL WONDERS

If you enjoy hiking, you won’t want to miss “Shirley Heights" that is known for its panoramic views. Enjoy views of the summit while dining at the "Lookout Bar and Restaurant" and listening to local bands perform live Caribbean music.

Located in eastern Antigua, Devil's Bridge is the spot where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet. This natural wonder is a distinctive limestone arch.

Want to know more? Give me a call (336-790-8911) and I would be happy to give you more information!