Podcast appearances and mentions of atlas ocean voyages

Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host. Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category. Today, you'll hear from the eighth travel advisor in this series: Lainey Melnick, the runner-up in the category of Saving the Day. In order to help her clients have their dream wedding in Antarctica, Lainey not only booked their trip, but she found an officiant to sail at the same time and coordinated with Atlas Ocean Voyages so that the wedding could take place on a landing. Ultimately, Lainey saved the day and her clients got their dream wedding. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways. Lainey's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Travel Insured International. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dream Vacations - Lainey Melnick & Associates ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West's podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry's notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello and welcome to All Things Travel! Looking for an adventure on your next vacation, but not quite ready to give up those nice amenities? You may have heard the term Luxpedition. Well, what's that and how could it impact your next vacation? Today, we'll tell you all about it. Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts Ryan and Julie. He's your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. She's your Disney loving, Maryland mom of three, who specializes in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing our personal stories, it's always All Things Travel.Intro (0:00-2:00)Defining the term "luxpedition" - luxury + expeditionMerging adventure with high-end amenities and accommodationsWho this type of travel appeals toThe Luxpedition Experience (2:00-12:00)Examples: Antarctica cruises, Galapagos, African safarisGetting an "expedition" experience with remote destinations/activitiesBut staying in luxury camps/lodges/ships with top amenitiesAbility to set your own activity level - from relaxed to ruggedLuxpedition in Antarctica with Atlas Ocean Voyages (12:00-20:00)Detailed overview of included luxuries on Atlas expeditionsFree chartered flights, pre/post hotels, excursions, gear, etc.Nine night cruise from $6,699 pp with second guest free dealsPictures/anecdotes from recent guest trip experiencing the continentIs Luxpedition Right for You? (20:00-25:00)Who these trips appeal to (curiosity, comfort, adventure)Cost comparison to normal cruises/resortsOther potential destinations: Galapagos, African safaris, gorilla trekkingCall to contact your advisor to learn more~~~~~~~Grab Ryan's free download for planning the ultimate family all-inclusive vacation: https://bit.ly/allinclusivevacationtoptipsGrab Julie's free download for a baby and toddler vacation packing list: https://bit.ly/babytoddlerpackinglistReady to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Contact Ryan at ryan@creatingmagicvacations.com Contact Julie at julie@creatingmagicvacations.com Join the travel conversations and the fun in the All Things Travel Show Facebook group! Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show! Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

Top expedition cruise lines are now offering special itineraries around the world well beyond the Arctic and Antarctica. We look at how these companies are now selling Alaska, Galapagos, Pacific islands, Asia, Africa and off-the-beaten path destinations in Europe that provide new opportunities for exploring the exotics. James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report moderates a panel including Anthony Iozzia, regional sales director for Atlas Ocean Voyages; Ellen Mclivaine, vice president of sales-North America for Ponant; Jason Flesher, director of discovery operations for Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours; and Brandon Oscarson, regional sales director for Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours. For more information, visit https://www.taconnect.travel/2024-agent-reg-adventure-vrs. 

Kathleen from Plenty of Sunshine Travel met with Cathy from Atlas Ocean Voyage for this week's cruise chat. If you found value in this video and wish to help this channel. You can send a donation using this link ~ https://bit.ly/KathleenPenner. . This is the first time I had the privilege of meeting with Atlas Ocean Voyages, But if you are watching this video later than the upload date, please click the link for our playlist where you can see all of the videos with Atlas Ocean Voyages. Here is the playlist. . Atlas is known for intimate yachting expeditions. And you know that I love expedition cruising. I love how it brings you into the heart of the destinations you're travelling to, allowing you to explore deeper, longer, and better. Atlas Ocean Voyages ticks all those boxes for me that I love. . Their ships were purposely built with Antarctica cruising in mind. But they focus on year-round expeditions wherever they go, not just Antarctica and the high Arctic. . Atlas Ocean Voyages currently has three in service but will have six intimate yachts on the way. World Navigator was launched in 2021, World Traveller in 2022, and World Voyager in the fall of 2023. World Seeker is coming soon, as are World Adventure and World Discover. . INTIMATE YACHTING EXPEDITIONS : Atlas Ocean Voyages offers a new way to discover the world in relaxed luxury with a small group of fellow explorers: Intimate Yachting Expeditions. Guests enjoy the freedom to immerse themselves in remote destinations and sail into the heart of iconic cities with an expert crew dedicated to providing an extraordinary, personally curated experience. . Where does Atlas Ocean voyages cruise to? Atlas ocean voyages will visit in 2023 & 2024 the following locations: Antarctica, the Arctic, The Holy Land and Egypt, Iceland, Greenland, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Patagonia and the Falklands, South America and transoceanic voyages. (repositioning cruises) . YEAR-ROUND EXPEDITIONS A journey with a purpose, particularly of in-depth exploration and discovery. . Cultural expeditions will visit the Caribbean, Iceland, Northern Europe, and South America for the curious traveller who loves art, architecture, history and museums. . The polar expeditions will visit Antarctica, the Arctic Greenland, and Patagonia in the Falklands, and these are for travellers who thrive on a challenge and want to come closer to the most remote corners of our world. . The epicurean expeditions are in The Holy Land, and Egypt and the Mediterranean are for culinary connoisseurs who want to indulge in fine wine and excellent cuisine. What is included in the price of the cruise/voyage with Atlas Ocean Voyages? Included are: FREE cultural immersion FREE dining venues with changing menus. FREE unlimited beverages, including fine wines, spirits and craft beers. FREE open bars and lounges, including 24-hour bar service. FREE stocked in-room minibar. FREE specialty coffees, teas, and fresh pressed juices. FREE afternoon and high tea. FREE champagne and gourmet canapes during your meet and greet FREE 24-hour room service, including spirits, wine and beer. FREE bath, amenities, FREE, prepaid gratuities FREE use of sticks and binoculars FREE reusable water bottles FREE butler, service, and expanded room. Service menu in suites. . If you want to learn more about Atlas Ocean Voyages or any other cruise lines I have met with. Please get in touch with me at info@PlentyofSunshineTravel.com. You can also fill out this simple form https://bit.ly/3mxFUNd, and I will get back to you. . If you want to see the images in this week's episode, click HERE to go to our YouTube channel. . Search #PlentyofSunshineTravel on Facebook to see our posts. . . . #Atlas #atlasOceanVoyages #ExpeditionCruises #CruiseSpecialist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cruisingthewavespodcast/message

James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his decision to position his cruise brand as an all-inclusive yachting hybrid, combining luxury with expedition experiences. The goal is to satisfy the many new types of guests who have entered the market after the pandemic travel pause, especially those who are more active. Rodriguez reviews Atlas' first three ships, the vessels to come and new itineraries. For more information, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

The fact that expedition cruising has grown enormously over just the last five years, should come as no surprise. Even during the pandemic, cruise lines were launching new expedition vessels that sailed to ever more remote destinations—and we're not just talking about Antarctica and the Arctic. There are expedition cruises to remote islands, fantastic new places and even familiar ports that deserve a new take. But how can you figure out which expedition your clients should go on? This panel of expedition experts tells you how. Panelists include Tim Burch, Central Regional sales director, Atlas Ocean Voyages; Tim Amm, expedition director, Silversea; and Ellen McIlvaine, vice president of sales for Ponant. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com, www.silversea.com, and www.ponant.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Antarctica Cruise with Atlas Ocean Voyages Review. Special guest is Colleen Atherton of Eaglewings Travels, Wichita Kansas, who joins Ken to review her recent expedition cruise to Antarctica with Atlas Voyages. Are you interested in taking an amazing cruise to Antarctica but not sure if it's safe? Look no further! In this video, Colleen reviews the Antarctica Cruise with Atlas Ocean Voyages and answer the question "Is it safe?". We'll cover the safety precautions that Atlas Ocean Voyages takes to ensure that their cruises are as safe as possible. She also shares her experience and tips for making the most of your cruise. So if you're thinking about a trip to Antarctica, this video is for you! Contact Real Travel Experts: questions@realtravelexperts.com https://realtravelexperts.com/​ https://www.facebook.com/RealTravelExperts/ https://www.instagram.com/realtravelexperts/ Contact Eaglewings Travels: eaglewingstravel@gmail.com Eaglewings Travels Website:​ https://eaglewingstravels.com

During this panel, originally posted during our Virtual RoadShow: Adventure & Expedition Travel, held Jan. 23-26 and moderated by James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, top expedition cruise and adventure tour executives tell you what to book in expedition and adventure this year and beyond. They detail the products, the target clients, and the trends in adventure and expedition travel. Panelists include Cara Matthew, regional sales manager for Quark Expeditions; Anthony Iozzia, regional sales director for Atlas Ocean Voyages; Becky Helms, sales director-East, Hurtigruten; Kent Phillips business development manager, Exodus Travels; and Kimberly Stirdivant Wason, director of partnerships at Tour Radar. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Tanya Springer, vice president of sales for Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report  about how the expedition cruise company is reaching, training and enabling travel advisors to relay the message about the new breed of expedition cruising to clients who have yet to discover one of the hottest trends in the travel industry. For more information visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with Insider Travel Report's David Cogswell about the birth of Atlas Ocean Voyages in 2019, and the company's second coming in 2022 in a different market niche, reborn as an upper-premium yacht-style adventure cruise product. For more information visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

James Rodriguez, the new president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, who is already well known to many travel advisors, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at Virtuoso Travel Week about the changes he will make to better sell and grow his luxury expedition cruise line. Rodriquez, who has spent most of his long cruise career at Oceania Cruises, is now relishing the chance to shape a relatively new product in a burgeoning category of cruising. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

There is a whole lot more luxury travel to be sold in such categories as expedition cruising, packaged vacations and even airlines. In this panel from our Virtual Roadshow series, you'll hear from two new luxury expedition cruise lines, a luxury focused wholesaler and tour operator, and one of the highest rated airlines in the world.  Panelists include Paul Girouard, director of leisure sales for Atlas Ocean Voyages; Alex Pinelo, senior vice president of sales for AmaWaterways;  Lori Sheller, vice president of sales and marketing North America for Swan Hellenic; Amy Comparato, senior brand director for Journese; and Catherine Meenan, regional manager North America for Qatar Airways. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES TO START HOMEPORT OPERATIONS IN PANAMA DURING 2022 – 2023 SEASON Photo Credit: Atlas The Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) has announced that during the official mission of tourism promotion carried out recently in Miami, U.S., by the National Government through and in conjunction with the private sector, the company Atlas Ocean Voyages ...

Episode 98In episode 98, Chris answers a listener question from Ann about the history of the Cunard Class System (Britannia, Princess & Queens), plus the usual round-up of the latest cruise news from around the world.Suport the showListen, Like, Subscribe & Review on your favourite podcast directory.Share the podcast with someone you think will enjoy the showBuy Me A Coffee – This podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates. https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXSustainable Fashion – choose a TBCP design or design your own… all using organic cotton, green energy and zero plastic https://bit.ly/32G7RdhImages from Garry Stafford in SydneyListener QuestionAnn asks Chris about the history of the Cunard class system, eg, Britannia, Princess and Queens. Cruise NewsP&O Cruises Australia Welcomes the Return of Ni Vanuatu Crew Onboard Pacific ExplorerP&O Cruises Australia is proud and excited to welcome back our Ni Vanuatu team mates to work onboard our first ship to start sailing from Australia in more than two years.P&O Cruises has always valued its strong relationship with Vanuatu and is the only cruise line in the world to employ Ni Vanuatu team mates onboard our ships.The first Ni Vanuatu crew left Vila this morning to join the P&O Cruises flagship, Pacific Explorer, which will begin carrying guests from May 31.PONANT welcomes Le Lapérouse in Darwin ahead of Kimberley season kick-offPonant this week announced the arrival of small expedition ship Le Lapérouse into Darwin, Northern Territory, following a 2-year pandemic stand-by in Noumea.With operations resuming 28 April 2022, the monumental moment comes as Le Lapérouse anticipates setting sail for PONANT's highly anticipated Kimberley 2022 season, operating between Darwin and Broome.Le Lapérouse will be accompanied late May in the Kimberley by small luxury expedition ship Le Soléal, PONANT's second expedition vessel showcasing the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Kimberley across multiple departures of their popular 10-night ‘Australia's Iconic Kimberley' luxury expedition itinerary between April and September this year. Due to high demand, PONANT has recently released two new sailings available for booking, departing on 28 May and 7 June on board Le Soléal.Discovery Princess Officially Named by TV Star GodparentsIn an imaginative ceremony on 29 April 2022 at the Port of Los Angeles, television stars and show hosts united as godparents and officially named Discovery Princess. The godparents included fashion designer Randy Fenoli, chef Alex Guarnaschelli, special effects designer and fabricator Adam Savage, and real estate broker and flipper extraordinaire Page Turner.Standing together at the Retreat Pool on the open deck of Discovery Princess with the ship's Captain Gennaro Arma, they pronounced, “We name this ship Discovery Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her.” They then sent a giant Nebuchadnezzar-size bottle of champagne against the ship for the celebratory smash, officially welcoming Discovery Princess into the fleet of Princess Cruises, the world's leading international cruise line and leader on the west coast.The “Discover Our World” themed ceremony blended maritime tradition with contemporary elements, celebrating the cruise line's exclusive, seven-year Discovery at SEA™ program – bringing the spirit of curiosity and exploration to every cruise through branded experiences like Shark Week at Sea, exclusive shore excursions and onboard activities such as the Camp Discovery youth centers and Stargazing at SEA.Discovery Princess expands the cruise line's fleet of MedallionClass ships to 15, offering elegantly appointed accommodations, world-class entertainment, gourmet dining and cocktails, extensive alfresco dining areas and expansive views from the cruise line's largest balconies at sea in the Sky Suites.The 3,660-guest Discovery Princess was built at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and is the sixth and final Royal-Class newbuild sharing all of the spectacular style and luxury of her sister ships – Enchanted Princess® Sky Princess®, Majestic Princess®, Regal Princess® and Royal Princess®.Costa Venezia – Home Ported in TurkeyCosta Venezia's new cruises to Turkey and Greece will make their debut from Istanbul on May 1. This is an absolute novelty in the current panorama of organized holidays, which marks the collaboration between Costa Cruises, Turkish Airlines, the Turkish National Tourist Board and Galataport Istanbul.The proposed formula is the “flight+cruise” package, available from all the main European countries, with scheduled Turkish Airlines flights, which will make it possible to reach Istanbul easily, and then embark on board of Costa Venezia from the new Galataport cruise terminal, equipped with all the comforts and services for the next generation of ships.Costa Venezia's program in Turkey includes three different itineraries, all with embarkation and disembarkation in Istanbul, designed to include longer calls in the ports to enjoy the destinations with plenty of time, among cities rich in history, splendid archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage sites and crystal clear seas.In spring, summer and autumn, from 1 May to 13 November 2022, Costa Venezia will offer two one-week itineraries dedicated to Turkey and Greece, interchanging with each other, which can be combined into a single 15-day “super tour”, with 8 calls in port longer than 10 hours.The first itinerary is ideal for those who want to explore the best of Turkey and Greece in one holiday. It includes a two-day, one-night call in Istanbul, the beautiful Turkish destinations of Izmir and Bodrum, the island of Mykonos and Athens in Greece.The second itinerary allows to explore some of Greece's out-of-the-ordinary locations and the best of Turkey. It includes two two-day, one-night calls in Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey, before heading off to explore Rhodes and Heraklion, Greece. In winter 2022-23, Costa Venezia will be offering a third 12-day itinerary to Turkey, Egypt, Israel and Cyprus, visiting Istanbul (with a two-day, one-night call), Bodrum, Limassol, Haifa (also with a two-day, one-night call), Alexandria and Kusadasi. From spring 2023, the two itineraries in Turkey and Greece will resume.Holland America Line Wins ‘Best Beverage Menu' for New Concept Half Moon BarHolland America Line took home a win for “Best Beverage Menu' for its newest onboard bar —  Half Moon Bar —  at the 2022 VIBE Vista Awards that were presented during the VIBE (Very Important Beverage Executives) conference this week in Carlsbad, California.Holland America Line's Half Moon Bar is a new concept for the brand that was exclusively introduced aboard its most recent ship, Rotterdam, which launched in November 2021. The venue is an immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail. Each drink comes with a fascinating tale of its inspiration that is vividly described in the bar menu for guests to peruse.The creative cocktails at Half Moon Bar aim to take guests back in time, on a journey though Holland America Line's history. Drinks on the menu include:“The Original” celebrates the line's first ship, Rotterdam I, made with a Dutch gin and a hint of single malt Scotch, ingredients inspired by the building of the ship and Holland America Line's Dutch beginnings.“De Halve Moon” is an ode to the Dutch sense of exploration and the botanical wonderland Henry Hudson found in present-day New York, made with Old Duff genever, lemon rosewater shrub and DDG Bitters.“Three Mile Run” is a prohibition cocktail that tells the story of Holland America Line Prohibition-era cruises to nowhere for New Yorkers, where cocktail bars on the ship could be legally open. It is made from a combination of lemon, honey and gin for a Bee's Knees, whiskey for a Gold Rush or rum for a Honey Bee.“May She Be Blessed” is an ode to the godmothers who bless the Holland America Line ships, made with champagne and a choice of essence.“Rotterdam VII” is dedicated to its namesake ship and the ship's unique blend of tradition and innovation, made with smoked gin and maraschino cocktail.Rotterdam is currently approaching Europe where she will home port from Amsterdam on voyages throughout Northern Europe.PLUS Holland America Line this week announced that Westerdam will be redeployed from Asia to Australia with Itineraries announced soon.NCL Elevates Spa offering on Prima and Viva Norwegian Cruise Line, today shared details surrounding its elevated spa and fitness offerings for its highly-anticipated Norwegian Prima Class vessels – Norwegian Prima and Viva.The first two of six ships within this cutting-edge class will feature the cruise industry's first charcoal sauna at sea as well as a two-story cascading indoor spa waterfall. The Cruise Line has also incorporated several guest favourites including thermal experiences and hot-stone loungers.Industry's First Charcoal Sauna at SeaAs part of the ongoing only-found-on-NCL's Prima Class holiday experiences such as the world's first three-level racetrack at sea and dry drop slides, the Brand will unveil the industry's first charcoal sauna. Derived from Japanese and Korean wellness practices, the charcoal sauna uses a radiant heat system with an outer charcoal layer to reach temperatures between 86-122 degrees Fahrenheit (30-50oC). Guests can recline into relaxation as the sauna helps boost circulation and metabolism while also removing toxins from the body. The sauna also effectively treats muscle stiffness and tension, including relief from backache, headache, and arthritis, by promoting the deep release of connective tissue and muscles. Thermal ExperiencesThe charcoal sauna is just one of eight thermal spa offerings available at the elevated Mandara Spa. Guests can also indulge in a series of blissful experiences such as a salt and steam room, as well as a gambit of Brand-first spa experiences including an Ice Room, Experiential Showers, a Flotation Salt Pool and Infrared Sauna.The Ice Room: After unwinding in the sauna or steam bath, guests can cool off in the refreshing Ice Room. The cold air helps to increase blood circulation, invigorate the respiratory tract, and strengthen the immune system.  The Experiential Showers: Multiple water jets and lighting effects help invigorate the body, lower body temperature, and stimulate blood circulation.Floatation Salt Pool: This treatment allows guests to fully relax all of their muscles while floating in warm water. An experience similar to experiencing zero gravity due to the buoyancy of the saltwater, the Floatation Salt Pool is beneficial for easing mental anxiety and muscle tension.  Infrared Sauna: Unlike traditional saunas that use conventional heat to warm the air, infrared saunas utilise infrared lamps to directly warm the body — and at lower temperatures than traditional saunas. This promotes relaxation, better sleep, sore muscle and joint relief, improved blood circulation, and detoxification.Royal Caribbean Group and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Recommit to PartnershipRoyal Caribbean Group, announced its new commitment to the next phase of its ongoing partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for guidance and counsel in establishing bold environmental goals and sustainable business practices.Royal Caribbean Group first partnered with WWF in 2016. Since then, WWF has advised Royal Caribbean Group to embed sustainability into the core of the company's business and across the industry, promote responsible tourism in priority coastal destinations and help protect the oceans by investing in conservation programs globally.This year, WWF and Royal Caribbean Group will work together to establish sustainability goals across three key areas of Ship, Sea and Shore:Ship — Continuous improvement of operational sustainability, including emissions, marine mammal protection, seafood sourcing, plastics reduction, and food waste.Sea — Investing in ocean health through targeted philanthropy; engaging with a global science-driven agenda and consumer-facing education and fundraising campaigns.Shore — Embedding principles of sustainable development in projects and increasing sustainability and certification of tour operators.Royal Caribbean Group will also continue to provide financial support to WWF's global ocean conservation work through a $5 million philanthropic contribution and collaborate with WWF to build global awareness about ocean conservation issues among Royal Caribbean Group's millions of guests.From ‘Hocus Pocus' to ‘Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,' Disney Cruise Line Puts a Spell on New Experiences for Halloween on the High SeasFirst-of-its-kind character meet and greet inspired by “Hocus Pocus” awaits guests across the fleetHalloween on the High Seas will return to Disney Cruise Line with more sailings than ever before and new one-of-a-kind experiences for families in September and October 2022. Guest-favorite entertainment and activities, including trick-or-treating, spooky parties, elaborate décor and themed food and beverage items, will await guests on these limited-time voyages as each ship transforms into a ghoulish wonderland.First-of-its-kind character meet and greetDisney Cruise Line guests will be the first to experience an all-new character meet and greet opportunity across the fleet during Halloween on the High Seas sailings. While all of the Disney characters on board will adorn Halloween costumes as part of the festivities, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow will debut a never-before-seen look as they dress up as their favorite Halloween sisters, the Sandersons from the movie “Hocus Pocus.”Disney Wish debuts all-new magical Pumpkin TreeDuring its inaugural season of Halloween cruises this fall, the Disney Wish, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, will introduce a unique twist on a Halloween on the High Seas hallmark.The centerpiece of every ship during Halloween sailings is the signature magical Pumpkin Tree towering over the atrium lobby, each with sprouting Jack-O-Lanterns and flickering lights.Aboard the Disney Wish, guests will witness the debut of an all-new Pumpkin Tree in the “Cinderella”-inspired Grand Hall. Featuring lighter bark, graceful branches and a mystical face, this enchanted tree that grew perfect gourds with the help of a Wishing Star at night produced the perfect pumpkin that became the coach that carried Cinderella to the Prince's Ball.Other special experiences on Halloween on the High Seas sailings include:Mickey's Mouse-querade Party: Beloved Disney characters in Halloween attire will join guests for a fun-filled costume party.Halloween Isn't Just For Kids: Adult-exclusive venues across the fleet will become a ghoulish setting for costume contests and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.Ghoulish Delights: Guests will enjoy special themed food and beverage items.More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements.Halloween on the High Seas voyages will be offered aboard select sailings in September and October. Departing from ports in Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, San Diego and New York City, each cruise will take families to fascinating destinations including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and Mexico. All sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami will include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island paradise outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.Disney Cruise Line Celebrates Summer 2023Disney Cruise Line will offer families a variety of enchanting vacations in summer 2023, including cruises to new and favourite ports of call around the world. From the majestic glaciers of Alaska to the sun-kissed Greek isles, pink sand beaches of Bermuda and picturesque fjords of Norway, these summer destinations will sparkle with adventure and excitement. Plus, for the first time ever, families will have the opportunity to sail around the Mediterranean and British Isles on the Disney Dream during its first season in Europe. Bookings open 9 May 2022.Disney Dream Marks Inaugural Season in EuropeFor its first-ever summer season in Europe, the Disney Dream will call on a wide variety of destinations among the most treasured in the world. With sailings anywhere from four to 11 nights, the Disney Dream will sail from Barcelona and Rome to picturesque ports of call throughout the Mediterranean, including a first-ever seven-night sailing to the Greek Isles with stops in the ever-popular ports of Santorini and Mykonos.Late summer/early fall departures of the Disney Dream from Southampton will feature cruises to a wealth of destinations including Spain, France, the British Isles, Norway and Iceland. New ports of call include the postcard-worthy La Rochelle, France and two new ports in Norway – Skjolden, home to a wealth of natural attractions, and Sandnes, a small city just outside the metropolis of Stavanger known for its outdoor activities.  Summer 2023 sailings to Alaska aboard Disney WonderThe breathtaking natural beauty of Alaska will combine with the magic of Disney on five-, seven- and nine-night sailings on the Disney Wonder from Vancouver, Canada. Beginning in May, cruisers will be invited to discover exciting ports like Ketchikan and Skagway, with their prehistoric glaciers, gold mining relics and spectacular land- and sea-life. Three Alaskan itineraries call at Icy Strait Point, home to a coastal rainforest, wilderness tours and – for thrill-seekers – ziplining above the treetops.Tropical Escapes to the Bahamas and Caribbean from FloridaSun-splashed tropical isles throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean will await guests on three Disney Cruise Line ships from Florida in summer 2023.For its first full summer of sailing, the Disney Wish will homeport in Port Canaveral near Orlando for a series of three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Disney's private island oasis, Castaway Cay. The Disney Wish will feature exciting new additions including Disney's first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience and AquaMouse, a wild water adventure and first-ever Disney attraction at sea.Port Canaveral will also be the departure point for the Disney Fantasy for sailings ranging in length from five to 10 nights. In addition to seven-night cruises to popular ports in the eastern and western Caribbean, guests will also be able to experience a five-night Bahamian sailing with back-to-back calls at Castaway Cay, a 10-night southern Caribbean itinerary to the islands of Aruba and Bonaire and an eight-night cruise featuring two days on the beautiful pink sand beaches of Bermuda.The Disney Magic will make its summer home in Miami for an assortment of exciting destinations. Starting May 27, the Disney Magic will sail four-night Bahamas cruises and five-night western Caribbean voyages, followed by two seven-night sailings in July to the eastern and western Caribbean. Select summer voyages aboard the Disney Magic will include double days – for double the fun – at Castaway Cay.AIDA Cruises opens season in Kiel with AIDAlunaAIDAluna is the first AIDA ship to arrived in Kiel this season on April 25, 2022. A total of four ships in the AIDA Cruises fleet will depart from the Schleswig-Holstein state capital for the great North Country adventure.From April 25, 2022, AIDAluna will offer the 17-day voyages “Highlights at the Arctic Circle,” which are particularly popular among lovers of the North. Ideal for tasting are the 3- or 4-day short trips to Norway or Denmark in September. A total of 15 different routes from Kiel are available.AIDAprima will arrive in Kiel on April 29, 2022, and will depart four times in April and May for Norway and Denmark.AIDAnova offers seven-day voyages to Norway and Denmark from May 14, 2022 until mid-October. In addition to a visit to the Danish capital Copenhagen and Kristiansand in Norway, AIDAnova guests can enjoy the very special flair of the midsummer nights during a two-day stay in the Norwegian capital Oslo. On individual sailings, AIDAnova calls at a new AIDA port: Denmark's Skagen, City of Light. Endless beaches and the country's largest shifting sand dune, from which only the tower of the silted-up parish church still peeks out, attract visitors.Starting May 15, 2022, AIDAbella will embark on 14-day voyages to the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape, and will also call at Great Britain and Iceland.Atlas Ocean Voyages includes COVID Insurance for all guestsAtlas Ocean Voyages announced today that the luxe-adventure cruise line will include Covid trip interruption and isolation insurance for all guests on all future voyages. The new Covid insurance coverage for all guests augments Atlas' expansive list of inclusions, among which are emergency medical evacuation insurance, repatriation insurance, and emergency medical and travel assistance, known as Atlas Assurance. Atlas Assurance provides guests greater peace-of-mind when they are aboard a once-in-a-lifetime, luxe-adventure journey with Atlas Ocean Voyages.World Navigator will cruise England, Holland, France, the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, Greenland, and The Arctic in summer 2022; Central and South America in the autumn; and return to Antarctica for her winter 2022-23 season. In winter 2023, World Traveller will sail her inaugural season in Antarctica. Three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, will join the fleet through 2024.Cunard responds to demand for Britannia Club accommodation experience on new ship Queen AnneCunard is so confident with guest demand for their Britannia Club staterooms on new ship Queen Anne, that they have increased their volume of this accommodation category by more than 200% versus other ships in the fleet.The accommodation and dining on board Queen Anne offer upgraded levels of luxury, whatever type guests choose, from Britannia staterooms to Britannia Club through to Princess and Queens Grill Suites.Guests staying in Britannia Club, an experience unique to Cunard, will be able to dine in the dedicated Britannia Club Restaurant, which is positioned at the heart of the ship next to the atmospheric Grand Lobby, boasting breath-taking panoramic sea views. Guests will have their own dedicated table, reserved exclusively for the duration of their voyage. They can dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, at whichever time they choose, and will be attended to by Cunard's renowned White Star Service trained crew.Queen Anne will set sail in early 2024, with her maiden season programme available to book from May 2022Azamara Onward Splashes on the SceneAzamara, will introduce its newest ship, Azamara Onward, to the world next month with a christening and maiden voyage from Monte Carlo to Venice. Azamara Onward's inaugural season will take travellers to the heart of the Mediterranean, exploring its hidden gems and bringing guests closer to the true culture of each destination they visit. The new sister ship will offer guests fresh additions to its onboard venues and luxury retail spaces, as well as refreshed accommodations and new entertainment options for travellers to enjoy throughout their sailing.MSC's Journey Towards Net-Zero Emissions By 2050Having made the pledge in 2021 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, MSC Cruises is continuously exploring and investing in new technologies that are helping to decarbonize, some with very promising results. On this journey, minimising the impact of cruises ships on port communities and their environment while berthed is key.Starting this Northern Hemisphere summer season, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Poesia will be consistently using shore power at the ports of Southampton (UK) and of Rostock-Warnemünde (Germany).MSC Cruises has also signed an agreement with Cruise Baltic to achieve widespread use of shore power in the Baltic Sea region by 2024.MSC Cruises is ready to plug into more ports. Over half the fleet is projected to be shore power compatible by the end of 2022.On top of this, MSC Cruises' first hybrid LNG ship operating with the largest solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) ever installed will be launching later this year – MSC World Europa.By the end of 2022, 11 of MSC Cruises' 21 ships – including all the new ships built since 2017 – will be fitted with shore power capability. Existing ships are currently being or will be retrofitted in the future as their itineraries take them to ports where shore power will be available.MSC announces Seascape will be christened in NYC. New York City will serve as the glittering backdrop for an extraordinary inaugural event when MSC Cruises' newest flagship – MSC Seascape – comes into service later this year. The cruise line announced plans to hold the ship's Naming Ceremony at New York's centrally located Manhattan Cruise Terminal on Wednesday, 7 December 2022. The star-studded event will bring MSC Cruises' distinctive European style and glamour to the Big Apple and will be attended by local dignitaries, important partners, top travel advisors, media from around the world, celebrities and international artists. And of course, no Naming Ceremony would be complete without Academy Award-Winning star Sophia Loren carrying out her iconic role as godmother to her 18th MSC Cruises ship.MSC Seascape will offer two different 7-night itineraries from PortMiami:Eastern Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican RepublicWestern Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in JamaicaEuropean Waterways' ‘Opera Cruise'European Waterways has a limited number of cabins available for the July 17, 2022 departure of the company's annual “Opera Cruise” in Venice. Exclusive to luxury hotel barge La Bella Vita (20 guests), the 6-night all-inclusive cruise features premium seats to a performance of George Bizet's “Carmen” at Arena di Verona Roman Amphitheatre. The cruise is an opera lover's dream, with an itinerary that brings to life the traditions, history and lore of one of the world's most enduring musical art forms. Guests will also enjoy private excursions that include a wine tasting and dinner with a countess, as well as regional wines with gourmet meals prepared onboard by their master chef.The cruise will take guests to the island of Pellestrina, where they can enjoy a sunset stroll or bicycle ride along its 18th century sea wall. A visit to Chioggia's bustling fish market is also on the itinerary, as well as cruise through the Po River Delta, a nature reserve that is home to migratory birds such as flamingos, heron, and snipe.And moreJoin the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/ Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg   Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisFrameOfficialPeter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home Listen & Subscribe: Amazon Podcasts: https://amzn.to/3w40cDcApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF Audible: https://adbl.co/3nDvuNgCastbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8 Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnEImage Credit: Queens Grill Lounge, Cunard Line. 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Episode 89In Ep89 Chris answers a Listener Question about White Star Line and we discuss some stunning new itineraries from Oceania, Virgin Voyages and Fred. Olsen. Plus news from Atlas Ocean Voyages, Carnival, P&O Australia, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Ponant & Saga.  Support the showListen, Like, Subscribe & Review on your favourite podcast directory.Share the podcast with someone you think will enjoy the showBuy Me A Coffee – This podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates. https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXSustainable Fashion – choose a TBCP design or design your own… all using organic cotton, green energy and zero plastic https://bit.ly/32G7RdhSupport Chris in his walk from Cape to Cape: All donations support zero2hero empowering young people to deal with mental health.  https://donate.mycause.com.au/cause/263123?donateToMember=156839Cruise NewsAtlas Ocean Voyages is the first line to adjust cruise itineraries in the Baltic.Atlas Ocean Voyages announced today that, as a result of current regional tensions, the luxe-adventure cruise line is adjusting two late-summer 2022, Baltic itineraries. On both the Hamburg-to-Kiel itinerary, departing August 26, 2022, and Kiel-roundtrip itineraries, departing September 7, World Navigator will drop St. Petersburg, Russia, and now call at Kotka and Mariehamn, Finland. The August 26 voyage includes a bucket-list transit of the Kiel Canal, while the September 7 departure will now also add Saaremaa, Estonia, where World Navigator will dock in the city center, adjacent to the Medieval Castle of Kuressaare.Carnival Corporation has now also advised they have commenced adjustmentsP&O Cruises Australia Advises New Zealand Guests of Cancellation of its Auckland SeasonIn the absence of an agreed restart plan for cruising in New Zealand, P&O Cruises Australia today announced the cancelation of its 2022 Auckland cruise season.The cancellation affects 21 cruises that were scheduled to depart from Auckland from July 5, 2022 to November 27, 2022, and is in line with P&O Cruises' pause in operations that began in March 2020.While P&O Cruises has had useful discussions with New Zealand officials and expects to have further contact, uncertainty remains as to when cruising is likely to resume there, which has made it difficult to sustain the 2022 Auckland cruise season.P&O Cruises looks forward to returning to New Zealand next year for an Auckland cruise season beginning in June 2023.Carnival 50th Birthday Sailabrations begin. As part of Carnival Cruise Line's year-long 50th birthday celebrations, Carnival Miracle departed the Port of Long Beach yesterday, marking the first of 17 Sailabrations cruises. The commemorative birthday sailings run through March 10, 2022 and feature at-sea ship meetups, special entertainment and programming. Carnival Miracle welcomed approximately 2,000 guests during embarkation to a birthday party complete with music and décor. Once on board, the fun continued with a 50th Birthday Bash Sailaway Party.Carnival Miracle's 14-day Sailabrations cruise stops in Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Hilo, and Ensenada. On March 5, Carnival Miracle will meet up with Carnival Radiance in Baja, Mexico, outside of Ensenada, to host one of history's biggest birthday parties at sea.Fun Facts from Carnival's 50 Years:Carnival has been a presence on the West Coast of USA for about 40 years, operating week-long cruises from Southern California in the 1980s and introducing short cruises in the mid-1990s.Carnival Corporation acquired the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, including a portion of the geodesic dome – once home to Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose – in 2003. In 2018, Carnival Corporation purchased the remaining portion of the dome and dramatically expanded the facility with significant upgrades. The expansion more than doubled the size of the terminal to 146,000 square feetCarnival's first glimpse at Carnival CelebrationIn conjunction with the kickoff of the company's 50th birthday festivities, Carnival Cruise Line is giving guests a first look at Carnival Celebration, sister ship to the incredibly popular Mardi Gras, that will debut in Miami this November, revealing details on four of its six zones including Celebration Central.On a Carnival cruise, guests' vacations start in the atrium, and on Carnival Celebration, that is in Celebration Central. Spanning Decks 6, 7 and 8, Celebration Central is an update to the fabulous starboard side atrium that debuted on Mardi Gras, designed as the heart of the ship's celebratory spirit with a whole new look and the feeling of a festive party woven throughout.Celebration Central will also feature the awe-inspiring, three-deck-high atrium that guests are quickly getting to know and love, but with a ceiling that appears as a burst of a confetti canon made of approximately 1,400 color-changing lighting fixtures that will transform from day to night. Functional as it is eye-catching, the space will include 3,000-square-foot floor-to-ceiling windows on the side of the ship that will change into 16 individually controlled, six- by 14-foot LED screens to work hand in hand with the ever-changing entertainment options, including live music, special effects, aerial acrobatic performances, and high-energy shows.Introducing nods to Carnival's Fun Ship history, guests will spot pieces from former Carnival ships that will be repurposed to blend with the ship's modern decor throughout Celebration Central and beyond. For example, in the Aquaria Bar, ocean-themed glass murals from Carnival Victory by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi will be incorporated into a striking two-deck-high decorative wall behind the bar to create an aquarium-like effect, inspiring the name. And the Tropicale Bar is named after Carnival's first ship to sport the line's iconic funnel.Celebration Central will also include food and beverage options, such as JavaBlue Café, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, and feel-good entertainment such as Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner Comedy Club.The Ultimate PlaygroundAfter such an incredible response from guests on Mardi Gras, the centerpiece of Carnival Celebration's Ultimate Playground (Decks 18-20 Aft) will be BOLT, The Ultimate Sea Coaster, soon to be the second roller coaster at sea, recognized by Popular Science with a “Best of What's New” award. Guests can expect the thrills they've raved about as all-electric, motorcycle-inspired vehicles race along an 800-foot-long track 187 feet above the sea achieving speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.Reaching a very exciting milestone, Mauer Rides, the manufacturer of the groundbreaking top-deck attraction, has fully assembled BOLT on land and is currently conducting initial shoreside unmanned test runs in Munich, Germany. BOLT will soon be reassembled and installed aboard Carnival Celebration. Designed for fun for all-ages, the zone will also be home to the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare featuring a mini-golf course, full-court basketball and an exhilarating ropes course.Summer Landing and LidoCarnival Celebration's Summer Landing zone (Deck 8 Aft) will continue to serve as the greatest chill spot at sea with Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, offering smoked-on-board favorites created by Guy Fieri and an assortment of Carnival's ParchedPig craft beers brewed on site, in addition to pools and whirlpools, The Watering Hole poolside bar, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge honoring military personnel.And the poolside zone, Lido (Decks 16-17 Aft), will feature all of the delicious and fun experiences from Mardi Gras including the two-level RedFrog Tiki Bar designed to transport guests to a South Pacific paradise, Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken restaurant, guest-favorite Guy's Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina, with offerings perfect for any tastebud, any time.Cunard announces Matt Moran to headline inaugural Great Australian Culinary VoyageAcclaimed Australian chef and restaurateur Matt Moran to spoil food afficionados on board luxurious Queen ElizabethCunard has announced legendary chef, restaurateur, TV host and author, Matt Moran will headline the talent program for its extraordinary five-day Great Australian Culinary Voyage departing Sydney on 28 January 2023.While on board, the Australian icon will create exclusive dishes for onboard diners and share his passion for Australian food and produce with Cunard guests through talks and interviews.Cunard's inaugural Great Australian Culinary Voyage will celebrate all aspects of Australia's unique food and wine offering on a five-day cruise from Sydney on 28 January 2023. More culinary royalty joining the sailing will be announced soon, ensuring a vibrant program of curated events and dinners, demonstrations, interviews, and onshore experiences.Departing Sydney on 28 January 2023, the 5-night sailing takes in three of Australia's culinary hotspots, sailing to Melbourne and Burnie (Tasmania), before arriving back in Sydney on 2 February.Atlas Ocean Voyages performs first legal weddings in Antarctica. February is the month of love, and for the first time, betrothed couples were legally joined in matrimony on the Seventh Continent. On February 18, 2022, Atlas Ocean Voyages performed the first official wedding on Antarctica. Bride Courtnie Dodson and Groom Brody Vermillion exchanged vows on Danko Island during a 15-minute ceremony, officiated by British Antarctic Territory-registered Marriage Officer Bryan Clark and witnessed by eight additional guests. Throughout World Navigator's current nine-night Antarctica expedition, which departed February 14, Atlas performed four extraordinary weddings and three vow renewals in four days. Known as Happy Ever Atlas, the destination wedding package was complimentary for guests who registered in advance.Le Commandant Charcot working together with RRS Sir David Attenborough in AntarcticaLe Commandant Charcot, the world's first hybrid electric LNG powered polar exploration ship from French luxury expedition company PONANT, teamed up with the British polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough in their mission to support the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration.Le Commandant Charcot and RRS Sir David Attenborough have both recently entered service in 2021, with their missions to operate in the polar regions. While the RRS Sir David Attenborough is focused on science and the logistical support of British research stations, Le Commandant Charcot was purpose-built to take guests on voyages to high latitudes, whilst conducting scientific research along the way. When it was realised both ships would coincidentally meet in Carroll Inlet at 73°15 south, it offered the perfect opportunity to combine the capabilities of both ships to work in tandem.Le Commandant Charcot features a unique PC2 hull design, with the ability to sail in ‘double-acting mode', specifically enabling the ship to tackle thicker and more dense ice; she does this more quickly and efficiently by sailing backwards.Le Commandant Charcot opened a channel by sailing astern, with the RRS Sir David Attenborough following behind, working to widen the channel. This collaboration enabled a 3NM channel to be opened in just 3 hours. Despite creating a channel and getting close to the depot site, once Le Commandant Charcot had departed for her next destination, the sea ice conditions were against the ship, and the RRS Sir David Attenborough turned around. It is now seeking an alternative location nearby to depot cargo for Thwaites Glacier. There is a long-standing belief amongst polar professionals in collaboration and support where possible; and that we can achieve more by working together.Le Commandant Charcot is an LNG-electric hybrid vessel. She's the world's first PC2 Polar Class ship, making her the safest and most capable polar exploration passenger ship in the world, as well as one of the most luxurious. Le Commandant Charcot offers voyages to explore deep into the Antarctic and all the way to the North Pole, and simultaneously invites scientists from around the world to make use of her onboard laboratories to conduct research to further our understanding of these remote regions.Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines teases first look at new summer 2023 programmeFred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today offered a first look at its new summer 2023 programme with the early release of two cruises venturing to hot and cold climates next year.In May 2023, Borealis will take guests on a journey through centuries of history and culture when she sets sail to many of the Adriatic's most fascinating ports. Among them will be Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance period, along with the historic cities of Venice, Split and Kotor, teamed with scenic sailing of the picture-perfect Amalfi Coast.In June, flagship Bolette will depart on her own voyage of discovery to the Arctic as she explores many ‘off-the-beaten-track' destinations. The 23-night sailing will offer chances to experience the Midnight Sun, as well as scenic cruising of many fjords, glaciers and mountainous landscapes, in-between explorations of some of the most remote locations in Norway and Iceland.Borealis' 25-night S2309 ‘Renaissance Italy, the Adriatic & Amalfi Coast' cruise, departing from Liverpool on 22nd May 2023.Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cartagena, Spain – Livorno, Tuscany, Italy – Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy – Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Italy – Cruising by Capri – Amalfi, Italy – Cruising the Amalfi Coast – Cruising Strait of Messina – Venice, Italy – Zadar, Croatia – Split, Croatia – Cruising Bay of Kotor – Kotor, Montenegro – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Valletta, Malta – Málaga, Spain – Liverpool, EnglandBolette's 23-night T2316 ‘Exploring the Arctic & White Sea' cruise, departing from Newcastle on 1st June 2023.Itinerary: Newcastle, England – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising by Torghatten (Hat Mountain) – Cruising by Seven Sisters Mountain Range – Crossing Arctic Circle – Tromsø, Norway – Honningsvåg, Norway – Murmansk, Russia – Solovki, Solovestky Islands, Russia – Cruising by Bear Island (Bjørnøya) – Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard – Pyramiden, Spitsbergen, Svalbard – Cruising by Nordenskiöldbreen Glacier – Cruising Tempelfjorden and Tuna Glacier – Cruising by Jan Mayen Island – Reykjavík, Iceland – Ísafjörður, Iceland – Cruising by Hornstrandir – Cruising by Drangaskörð – Akureyri, Iceland – Cruising Eyjafjörður – Cruising by Hrísey and Grimsey – Seyðisfjörður, Iceland – Tórshavn, Faroe Islands – Newcastle, EnglandVirgins Resilient Lady on the MoveResilient Lady is traveling across the world — making her way down to Australia by way of some of the most jaw-dropping destinations on the planet.First, sailing for 14 nights from Piraeus (Athens) to dazzling Dubai, then hopping from Dubai to stunning Singapore over 15 nights, and finally from Singapore down to Sydney for a 15-night voyage — it's 3 voyages, 17 destinations, and an unrivaled way to see some of the most unbelievable places in the world.Resilient Lady is the third of four Lady Ships built exclusively for Virgin Voygaes.22 Oct 23 – Athens to Dubai 14 nightsPiraeus (Athens) • Santorini • Rhodes • Port Said (Cairo) • Safaga • Dubai • Dubai5 Nov 23 – Dubai to Singapore Dubai • Dubai • Mumbai (Bombay) • Goa (Mormugao) • Colombo • Phuket • Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur) • Singapore20 Nov 23 – Singapore to Sydney Singapore • Benoa, Bali • Darwin • Cairns (Yorkeys Knob) • Airlie Beach (Queensland) • Sydney • SydneyWonder of the Seas arrives in Ft Lauderdale Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas arrived in the United States last week, ahead of her official debut on 04 Mar in Fort Lauderdale.Wonder will first set sail on a seven-night cruise to the Caribbean, including RCI's private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. She will then head to Barcelona and Rome to kick off her northern summer vacations in the Mediterranean in May. In Nov, Wonder will return to the tropical shores of the Caribbean and the Bahamas from her year-round home, Port Canaveral.Oceania announces 2024 World CruiseOceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has announced its highly anticipated 2024 Around the World in 180 Days itinerary in addition to four distinct Grand Voyages of 72 to 82 days in length. Featuring 96 destinations in 34 countries, the world cruise aboard the luxurious 684-guest Insignia departs Los Angeles for New York on January 14, crossing three oceans and 15 seas from the South Pacific to the coasts of Europe.Four New Grand VoyagesGrand Pacific Expedition from Los Angeles to Sydney: This 77-day voyage departs Oct. 4, 2023, on Regatta and visits 12 countries with 10 overnights in iconic ports such as Kyoto, Shanghai, Bali and Perth.Odyssey of Discoveries from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo: This 82-day voyage departs Dec. 29, 2023, on Riviera and visits 18 countries with an array of discoveries across the Arabian Peninsula, India and Asia, plus calls at less-trodden corners such as Sri Lanka and the secluded paradise of the Maldives.Epic Eastern Explorer from Mumbai to Tokyo: This 72-day journey departing Jan. 8, 2024, on Riviera visits 15 countries with calls in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul while also exploring Myanmar's monasteries, contrasting rural and city life in Vietnam, experiencing revered culinary traditions in Japan and more.Ultimate Exotic Traveler from Papeete to Cape Town: This 79-day voyage departs Feb. 19, 2024, on Nautica with a 15-country itinerary featuring a remarkable array of top attractions such as the gorgeous lagoons of Moorea, the unique geothermal landscapes of Rotorua, the iconic Sydney Opera House, the UNESCO-protected Komodo National Park and the renowned game reserves of South Africa.Saga's River Cruise Captains NamedSaga's brand-new river ships ‘Spirit of the Danube' and its sister ‘Spirit of the Rhine' are set to welcome Captain George Dudunica and Captain Marinus Pols as their respective Masters when they get underway in March.Captain George Dudunica, who hails from Romania and originally qualified as a First Officer through the River Navigation School, will be a familiar face to many Saga guests as he previously operated the Filia Rheni between 2013 and 2019, during which time he qualified as Captain.Spirit of the Rhine's Master, Captain Marinus Pols, is from Holland and operated Spirit of the Rhine on its initial sailings towards the end of 2021. Having grown up with parents who transported cargo ships around Europe, Marinus was born and raised on the water and became a Captain at the age of 22.The new ships can both host up to 190 guests who will be served by up to 50 crew. The vessels have been designed to the highest specification and have four decks and 95 cabins. Guests can enjoy the Panorama Restaurant, a beautiful sundeck with hot-tub, an indoor and outdoor terrace, a library, gym and a stunning, panoramic lounge with floor to ceiling windows to maximise the view. Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Rhine will have a joint naming ceremony in Arnhem in the Netherlands on 19 March.And moreJoin the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/ Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg   Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisFrameOfficialPeter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home Listen & Subscribe: Amazon Podcasts: https://amzn.to/3w40cDcApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF Audible: https://adbl.co/3nDvuNgCastbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8 Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 89 In Ep89 Chris answers a Listener Question about White Star Line and we discuss some stunning new itineraries from Oceania, Virgin Voyages and Fred. Olsen. Plus news from Atlas Ocean Voyages, Carnival, P&O Australia, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Ponant & Saga.   Support the show Listen, Like, Subscribe & Review on your favourite podcast directory. […]

Alberto Aliberti, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what his luxe-adventure line has accomplished in its first few months in business, including a revision of its inclusive policies on air and shore excursions and the hiring of new marketing, guest operations and sales executives. Aliberti also talks about World Navigator's first season in Antarctica. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com.  If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

Atlas Ocean Voyages is all about giving you the opportunity to seek true cultural immersions in lesser-known destinations and hidden gems of renowned places. Join us in the pursuit of transcendent journeys amid deep rainforests, jagged coastlines, icy waters and ancient impossibilities.AtlasOceanVoyages.com

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES' ANTARCTICA EXPERIENCEDiscover what waits for you on a luxe-adventure expedition to the Seventh Continent with Atlas Ocean Voyages as they head into their first Antarctica season. Learn more about this wondrous destination with expedition team leader, Henry Páll Wulff.AtlasOceanVoyages.com

 “Having just successfully launched the cruise brand's first ship, World Navigator, Atlas Ocean Voyages has unveiled the inaugural season for its second expedition ship, World Traveller. Launching on July 15, 2022, at Lisbon, Portugal, World Traveller promises to deliver more exciting experiences and captivating destinations, for which Atlas is known.” https://atlasoceanvoyages.com/

Atlas Ocean Voyages“Atlas Ocean Voyages is the first modern-day cruise brand to sail under the Portuguese flag, a heritage rich with history of exploration. The same can be said about a vacation with Atlas Ocean Voyages. They deliver a super friendly, yet highly personalized experience on board. They aim to create a community of new explorers who are seeking bucket-list worthy experiences on land and at sea.”AtlasOceanVoyages.com

Cruise NewsP&O Cruises Australia will require COVID-19 vaccination for Australian passengersP&O Cruises Australia will require COVID-19 vaccination for passengers in Australia upon its return to cruising, Carnival Corporation's local President Sture Myrmell revealed.Speaking today at Cruise Lines International Association's Cruise Forum, Myrmell revealed the requirement during the ‘State of the Industry – The Road to Recovery' session.Myrmell said the policy is solely a P&O Australia decision right now, but that each Carnival brand would make its own announcement in due course.Fred. Olsen completes first international voyage ex UK.Fred. Olsen has become the first cruise line to complete an international voyage since the resumption of cruising, as Borealis returned to the UK from Iceland this weekThere were a number of procedures that Fred. Olsen and guests needed to complete to make this sailing to Iceland possible, including pre-registration forms and testing prior to arrival into Iceland and before returning to the UK. All guests were also required to be fully vaccinated by the Icelandic government.The cruise line currently has two ships sailing, Borealis and new flagship Bolette, both of which are offering more international sailings from September. New ship Borealis set sail for the rugged landscapes of Iceland on Saturday, 14th August with around 800 guests on board. It was the first international voyage to set sail from British waters since all UK cruise operators paused their operations in March 2020.The cruise called into Reykjavík, Ísafjörður, Eyjafjörður and Seyðisfjörður, and guests were able to leave the ship and explore ashore in organised shore excursions.Regent Seven Seas Cruises® Sets Record for Largest Booking Day in Company's HistoryRegent Seven Seas Cruises, the world's leading luxury cruise line, achieved the largest booking day in the company's 29-year history with the launch of its 2023-2024 Voyage Collection when sales opened at 10:30pm on 18 August 2021.Reservations surpassed Regent's previous largest booking day – which was set on 21 October 2020 with the launch of its 2022-2023 Voyage Collection – by 15%. Travel trends identified from the booking day include a desire for longer, more exclusive experiences in bucket-list destinations, as illustrated by a significant rise in bookings of the Regent Suite and more unfamiliar and exotic regions being reserved. Luxury Cruise Line Enjoys Fourth Record-Breaking Launch Day Within a YearHolland America Line Announces May 2022 Return-to-Service Dates for Volendam and ZaandamTravellers looking to get back to sea on their favourite Holland America Line ship can anticipate a restart date of May 2022 for Volendam and Zaandam. The ships will join Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, which have returned to service or are slated to restart cruising by November 2021.Holland America Line will restart the two ships in May when Volendam will explore Northern Europe and Zaandam will return to the Canada/New England region. With these new start dates, the Grand World Voyage and Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage will not operate in 2022 and will resume in 2023.Volendam and Zaandam Return May 2022When Volendam returns on May 1, the ship will offer longer explorations ranging from 14 to 35 days to the Baltic, Norway up to North Cape and Spitsbergen, British Isles and Iceland, all roundtrip from Rotterdam, Netherlands. The ship also sails along the Iberian Peninsula to the Mediterranean and down to Egypt and Israel.Zaandam restarts on May 12 in the beloved Canada/New England region, with a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Boston, Massachusetts, followed by itineraries between Boston and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The ship will offer the popular 35-day Voyage of the Vikings itinerary in July that sails roundtrip from Boston to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Ireland.Grand Voyages Resume in 2023When the Grand World Voyage departs Jan. 3, 2023, Zuiderdam will debut on the 128-day around-the-world sojourn, offering world cruise guests the opportunity to book a verandah stateroom for the first time. Zuiderdam also features Music Walk's Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King's Blues Club and Billboard Onboard, along with specialty restaurants Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto. Volendam will return for the 74-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in 2023 that departs Jan. 3, 2023.2023 Grand World Voyage Highlights — Zuiderdam128 days. Departing Jan. 3, 2023, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.Crossing the South Pacific to New Zealand and Australia before sailing up the west coast of Africa and charting a path through Northern Europe.61 total ports in 30 countries and island nations, including eight overnight calls.15 calls around the African continent with opportunities for safari experiences.2023 Grand South America and Antarctica Highlights — Volendam74 days. Departing Jan. 3, 2023, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary that circles the continent on a counterclockwise route.34 total ports in 16 countries and island nations, including five overnight calls.Daylight transit of the Panama Canal and overland opportunities to visit Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, Patagonia and Iguazu Falls.Four days of spectacular scenic cruising in the icescapes of Antarctica.11 calls in Brazil and a journey along the Amazon River to Manaus.Guests who were booked on the 2022 Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage will be automatically moved to the 2023 departure aboard Volendam. Guests who were booked on the 2022 Grand World Voyage aboard Zaandam will be automatically moved to the 2023 Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam.Seabourn Announces Updated Restart Date For Seabourn SojournSeabourn, the ultra-luxury cruise line, continues to work with various global government and port officials to develop plans for a full return to cruising. The line is currently operating two of the five ships in its fleet. As a result of the current environment and forecast for destinations to reopen, Seabourn has updated the restart of one of its remaining ships, Seabourn Sojourn, to open in time for the summer season in the Mediterranean on June 6, 2022.The ship will resume service in Europe, where it will spend its summer 2022 season sailing the Western Mediterranean and exploring the French and Italian Rivieras, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, Malta and the Canary Islands.The revised restart date means the brand is cancelling the 2022 145-day World Cruise on Seabourn Sojourn, which was originally scheduled to depart on January 11, 2022 from Los Angeles. The 2024 World Cruise itinerary will replicate the highly anticipated 2022 World Cruise. The 2024 World Cruise will be available for booking in October 2021.Princess Cruises Announces Updated Return to Cruise Operations Timing for Island Princess and Diamond PrincessPrincess Cruises, is announcing updated restart timing for Island Princess and Diamond Princess. Island Princess will now return to service with a series of cruises to the Caribbean in spring 2022, prior to its 14-day Panama Canal Ocean to Ocean voyage on April 27, 2022. Diamond Princess will also return to service in spring 2022 with a season of Japan sailings. Details of both new programs will be announced shortly.Island Princess and Diamond Princess join eight MedallionClass™ ships – Majestic Princess, Grand Princess, Ruby Princess, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Regal Princess, Caribbean Princess and Emerald Princess—which have returned to service or are scheduled to restart by November 28, 2021, taking guests to Alaska, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, and the California Coast.Viking Announces Parallel 2023-2024 World Cruises In Response To Strong DemandViking® announced its new 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise, which will span 138 days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities. As a result of strong demand among guests – with the 2021 and 2022 World Cruises selling out in record time – Viking for the first time will offer a choice of two departure dates for this popular extended voyage. Guests may choose to sail on Viking Sky®, which will depart on December 20, 2023, from Ft. Lauderdale – or on Viking Neptune®, which will depart Ft. Lauderdale on December 23, 2023; both ships will sail the identical itinerary in parallel.From Florida, guests on the 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise will journey to Central America, before transiting the Panama Canal and sailing up the West Coast of North America. A shorter 121-day Viking World Journeys itinerary is also available, allowing guests to join in Los Angeles and cross the Pacific Ocean to call in Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, before exploring ports of call in Asia and the Middle East. Finally, the ships will journey through the Mediterranean and conclude the voyage in London.Viking's newest World Cruise itinerary visits dozens of the world's most iconic cities, alongside lesser-known destinations, in one continuous itinerary. Overnight stays in 11 ports, such as Sydney, Haifa, and Istanbul, and double overnights in Auckland, Bali, Ho Chi Minh, Yangon, and Mumbai allow guests to delve deeper. While on board, Viking offers cultural enrichment through onboard lectures and entertainment – such as the Viking Resident Historian® program, which provides guests with a high-level historical and cultural education specific to their journey. Guests will immerse themselves in the world's rich cultures during included excursions that provide unmatched insight into daily life, as well as Privileged Access® visits to cultural institutions.Viking Sky and Viking NeptuneViking's ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Viking's award-winning ocean fleet includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Orion®, Viking Jupiter® and Viking Venus®. Viking Neptune® will join the fleet in late 2022. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking's ocean fleet features modern Scandinavian design with elegant touches, intimate spaces and attention to detail. Atlas Ocean Voyages Announces World Traveller's Inaugural 2022 SeasonHaving just successfully launched the cruise brand's first ship, World Navigator, Atlas Ocean Voyages today unveiled the inaugural season for its second expedition ship, World Traveller. Launching on July 15, 2022, at Lisbon, Portugal, World Traveller promises to deliver more exciting experiences and captivating destinations, for which Atlas is known. For her inaugural season, World Traveller will sail 11 voyages, ranging from six- to- 12-nights, and visit a combination of chic and historic destinations throughout the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean seas.World Traveller departs Lisbon on July 15, 2022, for a nine-night inaugural voyage, visiting Spain's Costa del Sol and Balearic Islands. Guests will call at Portimao, Portugal; Gibraltar, U.K.; and Spain's Seville (Cadiz), Puerto Banus, Malaga, Formentera and Ibiza. The inaugural voyage concludes at Palma de Mallorca. A shorter, seven-night voyage, departing September 27 from Malaga to Lisbon, showcases the historic side of the region and features the surrounding cities of the Straits of Gibraltar: Gibraltar, U.K.; Cueta, Spain; and Tangier, Morocco.SINGAPORE Airlines is chartering a cruise for its frequent fliers.The airline has teamed up with Dream Cruises to operate World Dream on a two-night cruise to nowhere itinerary out of Singapore exclusively for KrisFlyer members.It sails from 17-19 Nov, and KrisFlyer members will be able to redeem miles for the cruise. Members can bag a Balcony stateroom for two by redeeming 50,000 KrisFlyer miles, or a Palace suite for 120,000 KrisFlyer miles, including all port fees and taxes. All passengers must take a rapid antigen test at the port. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victor Hugo, executive chef aboard World Navigator, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what your clients will find to dine on aboard this new luxe-adventure ship from Atlas Ocean Voyages. Hugo details the wide variety of cuisine offered at the indoor and outdoor main restaurant, Porto, as well as the 7 Aft Grill located near the pool, and the daily snacks at Paula's Pantry. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.  

Luis Santos, hotel manager for the new World Navigator, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this new luxe adventure ship from Atlas Ocean Voyages. Santos details the range of accommodations, the dining, the service and everything else that's offered onboard to keep guests pampered and comfortable during their expedition cruise. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

098 - On this show, join Rob and Kerri as they share their experience aboard the maiden voyage on Atlas Ocean Voyages' first ship, World Navigator. You will learn about the onboard experience, their first impressions, the differences you'll find when sailing on Atlas, and the dining and amenities onboard. If you have never cruised on a small ship before, you will enjoy hearing about what makes it different, how the port stops can be longer and in a better location at the ports plus some of the places that World Navigator is sailing.Want to learn a new language? Then use our referral code and join DuoLingo - the app. It's free, it's fun, and imagine what spending 15 mins a day learning a new language instead of mindlessly scrolling on facebook can do for you.  JOIN HERERemember, the world is a book and those who don't travel only read a page.Let us help get you back to the vacation.-----------------------------------This show is sponsored by Creating Magic Vacations. For your domestic or international trip, let us help you plan a done for you vacation. Reach out to Rob and Kerri here or the Creating Magic Vacations agent who shared this show with you.And connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Alberto Aliberti, president of Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the excursions, onboard programs and entertainment aboard his brand new luxe adventure ship World Navigator, which just went into service earlier this month. Aliberti talks about the expeditions the ship will feature in every destination, including the Antarctic, as well as the nightly entertainment and daytime activities onboard, including fascinating lectures and insights delivered by the expedition team. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

Alberto Aliberti, president of Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw about his line's new World Navigator, a revolutionary luxe-adventure ship that made its debut earlier this month. Aliberti details the many new features of the vessel, including its accommodations, dining, activities and expedition program. The first of five planned Atlas Ocean ships, World Navigator is now sailing on Greece and Egypt itineraries before moving to the Caribbean for its official christening this fall. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

Greg O'Hara, founder and senior managing director of Certares, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages' first ship, World Navigator. O'Hara, whose firm is an investor in Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks about Certares' strategy in financing multiple travel companies, including Internova Travel Group, American Express Business Travel, G Adventures, AmaWaterways and more. Certares recently helped rescue bankrupt Hertz Corporation, making it one of the most active investment firms in the travel industry. O'Hara describes his firm's strategy to provide capital to distressed travel companies and invest in new travel ventures and more. For more information, visit www.certares.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.   

Mario Ferreira, CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, Mystic Cruises and DouroAzul, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard the brand new World Navigator about the many features and amenities of this luxury expedition vessel from Atlas Ocean. Ferreira is known for building and operating river cruise ships on the Douro River in Portugal and on rivers in the rest of Europe. Now he's taking to the oceans with World Navigator, the first of five vessels planned for Atlas Ocean, with cruises around the world ending this year in Antarctica. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

Tamara is just back from a trip to Greece and she tells us all about this dream vacation. Find out what it is like to travel to Greece right now -- plus what to do and where to stay in Santorini and Naxos! ABOUT OUR SPONSOR – ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES Today's podcast is brought to you by Atlas Ocean Voyages.  If you have ever dreamed of cruising to Greece or Egypt, now is the time to book! Atlas Ocean Voyages just introduced its expedition ship World Navigator. This small ship, luxury vessel is built for adventure in a sustainable, energy-efficient manner.  Perfect for adventurous families or multi-generational groups, its compact size and small guest count of fewer than 200 passengers, means a higher space to guest ratio and more intimacy and personalized service. From August through September 2021, World Navigator will sail 7 separate 12 night itineraries to Greece and Egypt. And its small size and agility means she can dock in smaller ports, avoiding large crowds and getting a more authentic experience. And this summer, arrivals in Greece do not coincide with any other cruise ships in port! Bookings are all inclusive, including both airfare and excursions. The ship's facilities and protocols reflect state of the art public health guidance. With stringent public health protocols followed by staff and crew with pre-boarding and pre-embarkation PCR testing provided for all passengers. Social distancing will be maintained with small group shore excursions. Atlas welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new'      To learn more, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com and we thank them for their support. 2021 Trip to Greece Tips Greece reopened to USA citizens this springs. Visitors need to either be fully vaccinated (all shots + 14 days) and have a vaccination card OR show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding the plane. These are reviewed at check in for your flight. Visitors also need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form more than 24 hours before arrival. The Greece government will then send you a QR code after midnight on the day of your arrival that you need to show at Customs on your arrival. You need to show the receipt of submission or QR code when you check in to your flight. Masks are required in airports, planes, trains, ferries, ferry ports, busses, and taxis, as well as indoors. You also need to complete health forms before going on ferries or boats and either be vaccinated or take a test before going on a ferry. Vaccination cards will also be checked when you check into hotels. To return to the USA, you need to take a PCR test within 72 hours of your flight departure. There are public clinics available to get tested but appointments may be required and hours are limited. Tamara's tests on Naxos were 60 euro per person. You can also order Binax Now tests from Abbott Laboratories online. Just make sure they are the ones approved for travel and include online monitoring of the test as that is what is needed for re-entry into the USA. On Santorini, Tamara stayed at the Canaves Oia Epitome, which is a new property from the Canaves brand, and it is a luxury hotel located about 10 minutes walk from Oia and Ammoudi Bay. They booked the honeymoon suite with private plunge pool. Elements Restaurant at the Canaves Oia Epitome offers an amazing Degustation Menu and it was a top dining experience. Santorini is a very popular destination and Oia is the most famous town. When you visit, be sure to go into town early in the morning to avoid crowds. Tamara also had a chef's tasting dinner at Lycabettus in Oia but felt it wasn't worth the price. Santorini Wine Trails does half or full-day wine tours in Santorini. All tours are private right now. Ammoudi Fish Tavern is a fun restaurant right on the water in Ammoudi Bay with great views and fresh fish. Tamara also did a photo shoot with Nikola from Flytographer and got some great photos. Book ferry tickets in advance of your trip Note that you should arrive at the ferry port early to figure out where to queue up. Boarding the ferry can be chaotic so listen closely for when they call your boat and note that the same ferry makes multiple stops at different islands so it isn't like there is a separate boat for each island. It helps to arrange transportation for airport and ferry pick ups so you don't have to wait in a long line when you arrive. We used Welcome Pickups on Santorini and Athens. On Naxos, Tamara stayed at the Virtu Suites boutique hotel on the beach in Agios Prokopios. Naxos is a much more affordable than Santorini -- dinner for two costs only about 40 euro at many local tavernas. Tamara booked a full day private boat tour and snorkeling with Naxos Sailing. They also offer small group trips and have a variety of itineraries. The boat tour stopped in Paros and Tamara took a cab to Naoussa, the main town, which is really beautiful and filled with shops and restaurants. Tamara and Glenn also took a full day wine, cheese and island tour with Eleni from Philema Food Tours. In Naxos Town many people visit Apollo's Temple or the Portara for sunset but you need to get there early to get a prime photo spot. In Athens, Tamara stayed at the Hotel Grand Bretagne, which she was able to book using Marriott points. The rooftop restaurant, where breakfast is also served, has beautiful views of the Acropolis. Full Episode Transcript [00:00:00.060] - Kim Tate Today, we're taking a European journey to the Greek islands.   [00:00:15.900] - Announcer Welcome to Vacation Mavens. A family travel podcast with ideas for your next vacation and tips to get you out the door. Here are your hosts, Kim from Stuffed Suitcase and Tamara from We3Travel.   [00:00:30.870] - Tamara Gruber Today's podcast is brought to you by Atlas Ocean Voyages. If you've ever dreamed of cruising to Greece or Egypt, now is the time to book. Atlas Ocean Voyages just introduced its new expedition ship, The World Navigator. This small ship luxury vessel is built for adventure in a sustainable but energy efficient manner. It's perfect for adventurous families or multigenerational groups. Its compact size and small guest count of fewer than 200 passengers means a higher space to guest ratio and more intimacy and personalized service.   [00:01:00.750] - Tamara Gruber From August through September 2021, World Navigator will sail seven separate 12 night itineraries to Greece and Egypt, and its small size and agility means she can dock in smaller ports, avoiding large crowds and getting a more authentic experience. And this summer, arrivals in Greece do not coincide with any other cruise ships, and port bookings are all inclusive, including both airfare and excursions.   [00:01:22.590] - Tamara Gruber The ship's facilities and protocols reflect state of the art public health guidance, with stringent public health protocols followed by staff and crew. With preboarding and pre embarkation PCR testing provided for all passengers, social distancing will be maintained with small groups shore excursions. Atlas welcomes travelers to come back to something brand new. To learn more, please visit AtlasOceanVoyages.com, and we thank them for their support.   [00:01:48.330] - Tamara Gruber Kim, I have to say after just coming back from Greece, now is such a good time to go that if people could still book a cruise for later this summer or the, you know, the fall, it would really be a great time to go.   [00:02:01.560] - Kim Tate I can see that I was following along on your stories. I think a lot of people are just unsure about all the you know, I guess in some ways you'd say loopholes and things you have to think about when you're traveling. And so it might be the perfect time for summer in Europe.   [00:02:16.230] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, it's definitely not as crowded. And people are very eager to welcome you back. And, you know, luckily, especially with Greece, the emphasis that they've put on vaccinating people in hospitality and on the islands and plus the fact that everything is outside it makes you feel so much more comfortable. So definitely a good time to go. But otherwise, if you can't go this year and you've dreamed about a cruise either to Egypt or the Greek islands, then check out Atlas Ocean Voyages for small ship luxury cruising.   [00:02:48.060] - Tamara Gruber Sounds like a great way to go because it includes all your excursions and everything else. At least you know exactly what it's going to cost you.   [00:02:54.660] - Kim Tate Yeah. And as we've already said, the small ships are really the way to get a more intimate experience with the destination. So you're not being dropped off on huge piers.   [00:03:03.390] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, exactly. When we took our ferry back, I saw maybe one or two cruise ships that a couple of the islands that we stopped out on the ferry back to Athens. But those were mostly like small ships as well.   [00:03:14.070] - Tamara Gruber So, yeah, cruising is coming back. We saw on our flight back to JFK, like one whole section in the back seemed to have those little celebrity bags. So it's nice. Yeah, well, that's exciting. And I think it's great if people want to look at kind of that new journey. And like you said, there's still a whole month of August left for the summer. So if you've got some free time to make an impromptu vacation plans, then the Atlas Ocean Voyages might have a good deal for you to jump on.   [00:03:43.800] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, and if you want to explore Greece by land or at least to the islands, then I can give you some tips, because that's what we're going to be talking about this episode.   [00:03:53.460] - Kim Tate I cannot wait to hear about your trip. It seems like you guys really enjoyed your time together. And, you know, for an anniversary trip, it seems like it it just checked all the boxes for you guys. So I'm looking forward to sharing with our listeners everything that you guys did and what you learned. And we should just get right into it.   [00:04:11.580] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, definitely. It was one of those trips where I was prepping myself as we were driving down because we had to drive to New York and we flew from there just so that we could get a direct flight to Athens.   [00:04:23.550] - Tamara Gruber So since our other flight was canceled, we wanted to not have to worry about transiting through another European country and worrying about what their entrance requirements were and such. And so we're driving down and I said to Glennn, like, look like something is going to happen, like not everything is going to go smoothly.   [00:04:41.010] - Tamara Gruber You know, that's always the case, but especially right now, like, we need to prep ourselves like I've had in my mind, like this dream trip for two years now. Right. And that's like dangerous, you know, when you are putting so much like, you know, hope and everything into this trip that you've thought about for so long and especially, you know, as we're used to traveling. But, you know, after two years of not a lot of travel, it's like it gets even more focus, you know, for you.   [00:05:04.510] - Tamara Gruber I'm like, something's going to go wrong. And it just ended up like, you know, OK, there are a couple, like, little bumps, but thankfully, like, nothing huge happened. And it was just it was just so nice. Still be in a different place, you know what I had said, like, I need a change of scenery. If we can't go to Greece, like we're going somewhere that has palm trees or something, like I needed a change of scenery and then it just it was beautiful, but it was everything is outdoors and we just.   [00:05:33.430] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, you had to put on a mask when you were in, like, you know, a cab or something like that. But we just didn't worry.   [00:05:38.770] - Tamara Gruber And it was really amazing.   [00:05:40.450] - Tamara Gruber And I think it was like the combination of those couple of things of like feeling really normal and being in a new place and just having this amazing time.   [00:05:50.260] - Tamara Gruber And and we you know, it was a splurge trip for us. So I booked, you know, some luxury hotels. And just like being that back in that experience. And you think about like what we talked about in our last episode about how like for the services and the hotels and stuff right now, you know, because of staffing, I like to be back in like what felt like a very normal travel experience was it was just amazing. It really is awesome.   [00:06:13.570] - Tamara Gruber It really was so good. And I look yeah, I look at the pictures and I'm like, you can just tell, like, our smiles, like we're just happy.   [00:06:21.670] - Kim Tate Yeah, exactly. That's what I got that sense from. Just everything that I was watching and following and seeing. It was just seemed like you guys had had a really great time. So why don't you start us, you know, for the people who are wondering, why don't you explain what you did before to be able to get to Greece, you know, so they just know what the requirements are maybe. And then walk us through your itinerary if you want or however you want to present it.   [00:06:45.960] - Tamara Gruber Definitely. So, yeah, there's definitely a few things to know about going to Greece right now. I mean, they were one of the first European countries to open up. So what they require is you either need to be vaccinated, fully vaccinated, which includes the two weeks after your second dose or your one dose if your one dose person like I was. And you also need you know, if you don't have that, then you need to show a negative test PCR test within the last 72 hours.   [00:07:14.110] - Tamara Gruber And you show that when you arrive at the airport, when you're checking in in the U.S. and the other thing that you need to do is complete a passenger locator form and you need to do that. You can probably would be emailed it from your airline carrier, but otherwise you can find it on like the Greek website.   [00:07:32.710] - Tamara Gruber You need to fill that out before 24 hours before you leave. So, you know, at least a day before you leave, you fill that out and it has all your information, your passport information, all that kind of stuff. But also look where you're going to be staying.   [00:07:44.950] - Tamara Gruber You know what places you're visiting, all of that. It's an online form. You you submit it and then you get a receipt that it's been submitted and that's what you show when you get to the airport to check in.   [00:07:59.020] - Tamara Gruber Then when you arrive in Greece, it's kind of weird because they email you a QR code, but they only email it to you like after midnight the day of your arrival. So we were doing like an overnight flight. So it's like we couldn't show it at the airport when we arrived because we don't have it yet. But we showed it at the airport I'm sorry, when we arrived in New York. But when we arrived in Athens, luckily they have free Wi-Fi in the airport.   [00:08:23.800] - Tamara Gruber Just connect and then you get the QR code and you show them as you're coming into the customs area for Athens.   [00:08:30.550] - Tamara Gruber So that's really it. It's pretty simple, really. There are some other things to think about just in terms of, you know, traveling right now. Like if you're going on a ferry, you need to show your vaccination card or your test, but you also need to complete like a health form, you know, like one of those like you haven't had these symptoms, you know, that kind of stuff. And they give you a QR code for that.   [00:08:56.200] - Tamara Gruber Of course, I can talk later about like the whole ferry boarding process. And it's such like a madhouse. They don't actually check that.   [00:09:02.110] - Tamara Gruber But, you know, technically, you need to do those kind of things, too. So there are some things.   [00:09:07.900] - Tamara Gruber And when we checked into each of our hotels, they checked our vaccination cards.   [00:09:11.620] - Tamara Gruber So, you know, you keep that information handy. We had to do one for a boat that we went out on for the day. We had to show the vaccination card and fill out a health form for that as well. So I guess either a vaccination card or a negative test. Yeah, but then within three days, does it have to be within three days so we can keep repeatedly testing while you're there if you're not, you know, because we're vaccinated. That's something that you would look into if you have younger children that couldn't be vaccinated or something like that. Yeah. Something to ask. And then, of course, to come back to the US, everyone right now needs to have a negative PCR test.   [00:09:48.940] - Tamara Gruber So when we arrived, I had already figured out what we were going to do to make sure that it was possible. Otherwise I would have bought those Abbot Binax Now test to bring with us.   [00:10:04.990] - Tamara Gruber So they have two different Abbott ones. This is I guess good to know. Like there's one that you can buy just in like a CVS or something. That that does not qualify for overseas travel.   [00:10:15.310] - Tamara Gruber Because it needs to be monitored, but they have another one that you can order online, I think it's one hundred and fifty dollars that includes like multiple tests.   [00:10:24.220] - Tamara Gruber And what you do is you self administer it, but you do it like you get in an appointment with a doctor, like over Zoom. Right. And watch, you know, that you're doing it so that they can verify, you know that to you.   [00:10:36.700] - Tamara Gruber So, yeah, that's a separate one. You have to order online and that's actually an option. But luckily for us, we were able to get to our second island of Naxos. We our hotel helped us arrange an appointment at a clinic there. We just it could take up to 24 hours before we were getting our results. So we did on Friday for a Sunday morning departure. And we had our results by Friday evening. And it cost us only 60 euro per person.   [00:11:03.400] - Tamara Gruber If they came to the hotel and did it for us, it was going to be like a hundred and twenty euro per person. So that's what we did.   [00:11:08.950] - Tamara Gruber But just one thing to note about when you are traveling and you're looking to go to a local clinic for your way back, the hours are very limited. Still, like the one that we went to is closed on Saturdays. So, you know, you needed to plan that into your time window. But then some of them will be open, like for a few hours in the morning or a couple hours in the afternoon. But it's not like all day or, you know, you know, 24 hours.   [00:11:31.600] - Tamara Gruber So you need to definitely plan ahead with that. But overall, like, it was pretty easy. I definitely think the the most challenging part is, you know, just the long flight, you know, frankly, like, I've never had a mask on for 16 hours before. And that is true. You know, that was a really long time because we had to deal with our long flight. You know, you have your time in the airport, the long flight on the way there.   [00:11:54.490] - Tamara Gruber We then had like a three hour layover in the Athens airport and then another flight to Santorini, because our itinerary was to have three nights in Santorini, five nights on Naxos, and then one night in Athens for our return. So when we arrived, we wanted to not have to spend time in Athens, but get right to our destination just because we didn't have we just didn't have a lot of time. If I had two weeks, I would definitely spend more time like in Athens.   [00:12:19.900] - Tamara Gruber So we had that flight, you know, and then the cab ride from the airport to our hotel. So, you know, that's that's a long time, you know, to be in your mask. I definitely switched up my mask like midway. Yeah. About getting this thing kind of stinks after a while, you know. Yeah.   [00:12:36.490] - Kim Tate Are they not doing food either? So do you have to kind of make sure you're packing your own food and then are you able to eat it.   [00:12:41.620] - Tamara Gruber They do do food, yeah.   [00:12:42.770] - Tamara Gruber So we had our flight was Delta from JFK to Athens. We did have a bit of a scare that we weren't going to make our flight because we gave ourselves five hours to get to New York and it should take three hours. But it ended up taking like five and a half. And we parked in like an economy pre booked online. So then we had to take an air train over to the airport. And we were so nervous that, you know, we started off so relaxed, like we have plenty of time. Then we were so nervous that we weren't going to make it, but we got there. It was kind of chaos in the JFK Airport because it's just super busy. And, of course, you know, everyone, not everyone had all the information they were supposed to have right now.   [00:13:25.360] - Tamara Gruber And then that takes a little bit of a longer time. But we got triggered as we were boarding.   [00:13:29.920] - Tamara Gruber We got on luckily, they were serving food because we our plan was to go to a lounge and have a meal and, you know, take some, you know, some time. We didn't have that. So we were getting on to the plane with a bag of chips and some trail mix for like a ten hour flight. So, yeah, luckily they serve food and basically, you know, they make announcements, of course, when you board just the same way they would in the US.   [00:13:53.560] - Tamara Gruber And while you're eating, you can lower your mask. And then it's kind of like after they do their meal service, they're going around being like mask up, like making sure everyone was still lingering, you know, that they're lifting the mask. But I will say, and I've said this before, like with us travel, that if I was not vaccinated, I would not be comfortable going because there are a lot of people that, you know, it's an overnight flight, it's dark.   [00:14:20.080] - Tamara Gruber People are kind of lowering their masks as they're sleeping. And on those kind of overnight flights, the flight attendants aren't up and down the aisles as much checking. So I think, yeah, you definitely see some like if they saw someone, they would say something, but they weren't being super proactive with. Checking often is I say, you know.   [00:14:40.840] - Tamara Gruber But that's not the case in the ferries and in the, you know, Athens airport, it seemed like, you know, much more strict. And on the ferry, someone went around regularly like, you know, talking to people and even having a little confrontations with people. So if that's something that's worried, I know I've gotten a lot of messages. I don't want to linger on this too much because there's a lot of really good stuff to talk about.   [00:15:01.900] - Tamara Gruber But, you know, I've gotten a lot of messages from people, like asking how comfortable I was. And I want to say, like when I was in Greece, I felt extremely comfortable. I really, really did.   [00:15:10.900] - Tamara Gruber You know, we had masks on in the cabs, but everything else. Is really outside, you know, like it's it's amazing how much everything is outside, I came back and I'm like, oh, right, restaurants have indoor dining, but we don't want to do that, you know? So it's it's very comfortable in that way.   [00:15:28.320] - Kim Tate Great. So you made it to Santorini. That was your first stop. So what sort of things did you do there?   [00:15:34.440] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. So in Santorini, Santorini is a very crowded like over tourist island. It's really expensive, but it is very, very beautiful.   [00:15:44.820] - Tamara Gruber And so I knew that we wanted to only spend a few nights there because they didn't have the budget to spend a long time. And I have to say that this year is such a great time to go because it still seemed a little crowded at times and it was picking up like throughout our stay seem to increase. But they were telling me, all the locals are telling me that it was only about 20 percent of the 2019 numbers. So it's definitely like an over tourist destination.   [00:16:12.600] - Tamara Gruber And I had an opportunity to visit when there weren't that many people there, which made it like absolutely amazing.   [00:16:18.460] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, we stayed like one of the main towns is called Oia. And it is it's an essential that everybody sees in the pictures. Exactly.   [00:16:30.130] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Yeah. So I really wanted to stay there again. This was our milestone anniversary, a birthday trip. So it was a splurge, something that we'd saved up for for a while.   [00:16:40.620] - Tamara Gruber So I had booked us three nights at a luxury hotel that called the Canaves Oia Epitome. So this brand, the Canaves, they have, I think three or four properties that are well known, luxury properties, most of them are right in the town. This one is brand new and it is just about a ten minute walk outside of town, kind of like down the hill. But we love the location and I loved the property. It was gorgeous.   [00:17:07.740] - Tamara Gruber I had booked us a honeymoon suite with a plunge pool. So big splurge on the suite. We've never spent this much on a hotel. I will admit, you know, definitely like a huge privilege here.   [00:17:17.580] - Tamara Gruber But we walked in and so it was like you kind of opened this one door. You go up some steps and there's like our patio with our plunge pool to loungers, picnic table, a little bench. And then you go into the room from there.   [00:17:32.340] - Tamara Gruber And we walked in and we were just like, wow, like this. It's just so nice to go back to, like a luxury hotel and have this beautiful place and beautiful, you know, setting. And it was just it was so nice. Like, I'm so glad that we had that splurge. They do have other they have some other spaces for families. And there actually I saw a number of families, both with teens and with like toddlers are smaller, like elementary school age.   [00:18:01.770] - Tamara Gruber So there are other types of rooms, some larger, some smaller. So that was my big splurge. At one point, Glennn was like, how much was this place? And I'm like, I'm not going to tell you. This was one where I was like, I want to book this, you know, and surprise you. And so we we really, really enjoyed that, like, kind of sitting out by the our little plunge pool.   [00:18:22.500] - Tamara Gruber But then they also have, you know, the property has like a really nice infinity pool and it overlooks the water. And you get really beautiful sunset views there, which, you know, in this part of Greece, like some some of the views, some of the places will face a caldera. So you'll get really pretty hues and color, but you don't see the actual sunset. So this is the sunset and it's like ten minute walk up to town or they can shuttle you and like a ten minute walk down to Ammoudi bay, which is where are the sunset catamarans go out.   [00:18:55.620] - Tamara Gruber And it's just like there's a lot of cool fish restaurants. So I thought the location was fabulous.   [00:19:01.110] - Tamara Gruber The service was amazing, the food was great, the breakfast is included. And it's one of those things where you can order as much off the menu as you want. You know, like you order a la carte and then they're like, oh, do you want fruit? Do you want this? Like the one day that I had breakfast, I like pineapple juice. And so on their menu, they had grapefruit and orange juice. And I was like, oh, do you have pineapple juice?   [00:19:22.440] - Tamara Gruber And they're like, we can do that for you. And they came out, they had like blended a fresh pineapple for me.   [00:19:28.770] - Tamara Gruber And the the food was just it was fantastic. Like everything was so good. And our first night there, like we were exhausted.   [00:19:35.280] - Tamara Gruber Right, because we had this five hour drive. Then we had, you know, a ten hour flight, three hour layover, half hour flight, you know, so we got there and I saw those lounge chairs by our plunge pool. And I'm like, I am taking a nap right there. And so we kind of just like napped in the sun for like an hour or two was somehow like it. Just something about the excitement of the first day of your trip where you just like kind of have the adrenaline to keep going, right?   [00:20:01.320] - Tamara Gruber So that little nap was like all I needed. I usually plan for something like this for our first day to just have dinner close to the hotel where we're staying. So I had booked dinner at the hotel. The hotel has two restaurants, one is like fine dining, one is casual. I had booked us at the fine dining restaurant and so we ended up having like a degustation menu, like a chef's tasting menu, seven courses. And so you would think we would be like way to jet lag to like appreciate it.   [00:20:31.580] - Tamara Gruber But I will tell you, this is one of the best dining experiences of our lives. And we still go back and we're like, is it because we were just so happy to be there? Or is it just like that first night? You have nothing to compare it to.   [00:20:44.120] - Tamara Gruber But it was really just wonderful because the service was so it was just so perfect.   [00:20:49.160] - Tamara Gruber It wasn't crowded because it was primarily just people at the hotel. So, you know, we were outside. We are overlooking this beautiful infinity pool and the sunset and, you know, our tables were all spaced and our server was just so sweet. Like every time I was, like, really enjoying a dish. And I would compliment her and compliment the dish. She would get almost like a giggly, you know, like she was so pleased with how much we liked it.   [00:21:17.480] - Tamara Gruber And it just like that shows like how much like it means to them to, like, present and prepare like something that someone's really enjoying, you know, like that kind of hospitality where it's not just like a you know, like a process, like a routine. You know, it was just like a lot of it added a lot of enjoyment. And the the food was just it was fantastic. It was so, so good. So, you know, another huge splurge for us.   [00:21:41.090] - Tamara Gruber But like, if you stay there and I actually had like three people, I think like or more messaged me on Instagram saying that they had either already booked it or they were booking it for the fall, like that particular hotel and asking about the restaurant. So I definitely think it's the it's a luxury hotel. And the price point is just slightly below the places that are in town. So it made it you know, it made it fit with my budget.   [00:22:07.400] - Tamara Gruber You know, it was already a splurge budget, but. Yeah. So anyway, that's what we did the first day. And then the next day, again, I didn't want to like over because I really wanted to make sure that this trip was like some exploration, but a lot of time for like relaxation and doubt and just time to enjoy it and soak it in. You know, I didn't want us to be like, go, go, go.   [00:22:26.300] - Tamara Gruber And we also didn't want to be around a lot of other groups or people. So we did things, you know, like more on our own or privately.   [00:22:33.560] - Tamara Gruber So the next day we decided to walk into town and I thought we're just going to maybe, like, wander around for a little bit. But it was so charming. And so we were just like going down all these side streets and I'm taking like a million pictures and we just loved it.   [00:22:47.810] - Tamara Gruber And it was so quiet at first. Like in the beginning, the streets were like empty when we got there, probably like ten thirty.   [00:22:54.500] - Tamara Gruber And the streets were so empty. And everyone says, like, go super early in the morning, but I'm like my first day. I'm not getting out there like 6:00 a.m. you know, that's not my idea of a vacation. And then it got like a little busier, like closer to noon. But I think if you're going on a regular year, you probably really have to get there early to avoid the crowds. That's why it's kind of nice to stay right in that area, because if you're traveling from another part of the island, of course, you're not going to get there, you know, quite that early.   [00:23:19.820] - Tamara Gruber Right. But it got really hot, definitely. People ask me about the weather, too. It was probably in the high eighties, like maybe low 90s the entire time we were there. I mean, I loved it.   [00:23:30.470] - Tamara Gruber Like it was it was the kind of weather where I could go out every night in a sundress and not have to bring a sweater, you know, just like, wonderful. And it was, you know, the sun was strong.   [00:23:40.940] - Tamara Gruber So you would like a little break from it or take a swim. But it wasn't I didn't find it oppressive. Apparently earlier in that week, there was you kind of what's been typical Europe right now is the end of June, early July for the last few years has had like an extremely high heat wave. So they had temperatures well above one hundred for a few days. But then, like I said, when we were there, it was kind of more normal summer.   [00:24:03.300] - Tamara Gruber But still, we needed a place. We needed a little break. And their lunches are a little bit later. They're still like at one point we stopped and we just Glennn had, I think, like a beer and I had a smoothie and we just sat at a place where we're having this beautiful view. And then we walked around some more and then we had this amazing lunch. I like this salad with grilled shrimp and like, everything was like so wonderful.   [00:24:24.050] - Tamara Gruber And all I could think was like years ago when I was a picky eater, I was like, oh, I could never do I could never go to Greece because I don't like and I like this like at the time I didn't like feta, now I love feta.   [00:24:34.970] - Tamara Gruber I still don't like olives. And I didn't eat as much fish. But it is like the food was amazing. All the food that I had was really, really good and I did not have a problem with that at all because I for a long time ago I was like, I'm gonna have to do it on a cruise so that I like the food, but I've expanded my palate. So we had a wonderful lunch. Like there's just so many places that have beautiful views or cute courtyards.   [00:24:58.520] - Tamara Gruber And it's just we had a lovely time and it reminded me a lot of the Amalfi Coast in Italy and in Capri, except the shops there aren't like the big designer shops. It's more like, you know, there's there's a lot of touristy kind. You know, now knickknacks and T-shirt kind of things, but then there's some more local shops, and so I liked that. You know, sometimes when you go to places and you see all these, like really upscale designer shops and like, well, first of all, I can't afford to shop there wherever I see them.   [00:25:30.650] - Tamara Gruber And like, if you can get that at a city, like, near you, like, why do you need it like on vacation? You know, I'd rather find, like, more of the local kind of authentic things. Like we stopped into a gallery and I totally was ready to buy art until I realized we missed a zero on the on the painting price. But yeah, we just had a really lovely time. We went back and we sat by the pool and then we went back into town that night and we did another tasting menu at this place called Lycabettus, I'm sure mispronouncing it.   [00:25:59.150] - Tamara Gruber But it's named that after a place in Athens that also has a beautiful viewpoint. But it basically is a restaurant like on a cliff side. So you pay more to sit on this like promontory that sticks out into the caldera. And you have this great view. Of course, Glennn was like, so where it is like, am I going to be nervous? And we had to go down all these steps to get to it.   [00:26:24.500] - Tamara Gruber He was like slowly going down the steps and the the hostess kept turning and looking back. And I'm like, we're OK, you know? But I will say, like, that place was crazy expensive, which we knew it was going to be, because it's definitely very like this is one of the most beautiful places to have a meal or whatever. But I didn't think it was worth it. So I wouldn't say to do it like the food was good, but it was much more like it came out very quickly and it was like everybody near us was getting the same thing at the same time.   [00:26:54.950] - Tamara Gruber And it just didn't have that personal feel to it. And for like a gas station menu was a lot of like phone this and, you know, like very I don't know, kind of it was inventive, but it also felt very like it's probably been done a lot, you know. Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah. So I mean, but it was still we had a beautiful view. We wandered around town afterwards and it's just so nice.   [00:27:13.550] - Tamara Gruber We sit as we're sitting there because we probably had like an eight thirty reservation, like, you know, the sunsets. And then so things start to have that beautiful glow and then the lights start to come on. And then by the time you leave, it's like all lit up and it's just, you know, like really, really gorgeous. I really fell in love with, like, that part of Santorini. But, you know, someone asked me, like, how long should you stay in Santorini?   [00:27:35.750] - Tamara Gruber And I said, well, I think at least three nights, you know, maybe two nights if you've already, you know, been in Greece. But really, it depends on your budget. Like, how long can you afford to stay there because the food's expensive, like everything is definitely pricey.   [00:27:49.700] - Tamara Gruber So our last day on Sunday, we ended up we had booked a half day wine tour with Santorini wine trails, and we did that. All the tours that they're doing right now are private. So, you know, we basically visited a vineyard and then Santorini is probably most well known for their wine, their white wine. And so we went to, I think, three wineries and did different tastings and tasting. We had like some local cheese or one thing I totally fell in love with was the tomato paste, because like Santorini is known for tomatoes, too.   [00:28:25.520] - Tamara Gruber And you think about tomato paste like that, you would buy at the store, come to where the little can and you just like your lasagna or something like that. Like this was it was like you just want to spread it on bread. It was amazing. You know, I definitely had a great time on that tour. We learned a lot. You know, it's just the kind of thing that we like to do. Again, this trip was very oriented towards couples, you know, as I apologize, or people like looking for family, you know, kids, things to do because we were very focused on things that we love to do.   [00:28:56.390] - Kim Tate Well, that still sounds awesome. Sounds like a gorgeous splurge. And I'm sure there's plenty of people listening that don't have kids are looking for an anniversary trip or, you know, some kind of luxury luxury time. So I think it's good.   [00:29:08.840] - Tamara Gruber Yeah.   [00:29:09.800] - Tamara Gruber And then our last night, we walked down to Ammoudi bay and we watched other sunset catamarans go out and man, those things were packed. Those were crowded.   [00:29:17.900] - Tamara Gruber And then we had dinner down there at a Ammoudi Fish Tavern, which was it was just a great you know, it's very touristy feeling, but it's just it was like such fresh fish. The guy was like, no, no, come over to that, because I was asking, like, what is this type of fish like? And he's like, come look. And I'm like looking at it is not going to help me know how it tastes like, you know, he kept trying to like, you know, like, look at this one and we'll cut it this way.   [00:29:44.810] - Tamara Gruber He'll do this. But, you know, it's very fresh.   [00:29:47.390] - Tamara Gruber So, you know, that was that was a lot of fun. And I didn't mention. But if you follow on Instagram, you've probably seen.   [00:29:52.730] - Tamara Gruber But we did a Flytographer photography shoot that morning before we did the wine tour. So that was a lot of fun to   [00:30:00.770] - Kim Tate those turned out so well. And I'm happy with the dress you chose. It looked perfect.   [00:30:05.240] - Tamara Gruber Thank you. And thank you. Yes. For your advice. I was going back and forth, but I'm like, you know, I just feel comfortable in this one. And I think, like, you know, Glennn is a pink shirt. It'll kind of go together and yeah, we worked with Nikola and he did a fantastic job. And he did so many different, like locations. We're like really fast, which is good because, like, I didn't think about poor Glenn because it was a lot of like edges. Edges.   [00:30:33.540] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, exactly. I did at one point he was just like, I need a break. I, I'm sitting this one out, take some pictures of her on her own. But, you know, we had fun. It was it was really nice. So it's just something that it's just such a good memory. Like I know I will look back at those photos and like always smile, you know, I was they'll bring back such happiness.   [00:30:56.520] - Tamara Gruber It's nice to have photos of the two of us because frankly, I don't know. We have some from our wedding, like, yeah, I have a lot of that.   [00:31:03.210] - Kim Tate So he did a great job also of posing you guys. I mean, they were definitely nice anniversary shots. And I think that was part of it is some of the looks and the poses were great. So it wasn't just being in a beautiful area. I mean, they really were engaging of the two of you and good, good representative representation of your relationship.   [00:31:22.210] - Tamara Gruber So, yeah, no, I agree.   [00:31:23.970] - Tamara Gruber It was it was really it was very nice. And so I'm happy to do that and tip for anyone that wants to do something like that for a future trip. What I do for photographer is every Black Friday they have a sale and I buy a gift certificate like gift card for that sale and then I'll just use it whenever I book for a trip. So little money saving tip there.   [00:31:47.270] - Kim Tate If it's that smart, is it? So it's like a gift card or whatever. And then you can. Yeah.   [00:31:51.840] - Tamara Gruber And then I get a code or whatever you apply.   [00:31:53.670] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Yeah.   [00:31:55.320] - Tamara Gruber So and that one I had a credit from, we had booked for Paris and twenty twenty that we didn't do and so I wanted to use it. I didn't know how long they were going to keep that credit valid and I didn't know when our next family trip would be. So my kids do this so.   [00:32:09.600] - Tamara Gruber Yeah but so that kind of wraps up Santorini. And then the next day we were taking a ferry over to Naxos, which is one of the largest of the Cyclades Islands. And it's you know, but it's quieter and it is a lot less expensive. I know that our friend Eric from Travel Babo has gone there a lot with his family. And, you know, so I decided to do that as our second island.   [00:32:32.860] - Tamara Gruber It would have been nice if we had a little more time to maybe squeeze in one other island. But, you know, that one was good. We did five nights. I think a lot of people will do like Santorini. Well, maybe they'll do Mykonos, but Mykonos is very much like a young party island. I'm like, yeah, I'm too old for that. And it's super expensive. Or they'll do Crete, but Crete is huge. And so you could do like your whole vacation.   [00:32:54.150] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Just on Crete. Yeah. So yeah, this felt like a good mix for us to have like one more of the famous ones and one of the slightly less visited ones. So we took the ferry and I'll just like a few words about taking the ferries in Greece just because it was new to me. And now I know. And if I had known what to expect, I may not have been so stressed out.   [00:33:12.420] - Tamara Gruber But we got to the very port early. But it's just open. There's no like docks that have names of where to go. So we went into like the siege at office, which was the ferry that I had booked.   [00:33:24.000] - Tamara Gruber We had filled out our forms and also done our mobile boarding passes. We had all that like on our phones, but we weren't quite sure where to go when we got there. So I went to the office. They're like, oh, just go to like this building like Terminal four. So, OK, so we go in there and we're sitting there and I hear different people talking around me and they're like, oh, we're going to make a noise, we're going to Athens.   [00:33:43.740] - Tamara Gruber So I'm like, OK, so there's multiple boats. So we have to like, really listen for like when our boat is coming right. And the time is getting closer and closer and closer and the place is really filling up and everyone's talking and it's just like loud and you can't hear a thing. And then I hear some guy like all the way at the end of the hall, like coming in and shouting like anyone going to want, you know, and you're like, what was that?   [00:34:06.870] - Tamara Gruber So there's like nothing on the loudspeaker to like. No. You know, which boat are they announcing? Should I go out? Do I not go out like what's going on? And then finally I hear them say, like Paros and I hear them say things.   [00:34:20.280] - Tamara Gruber And so I'm like, oh, OK, that's not us. That's not us. And then finally, it seems like everyone is just walking and going. So I'm like, we should just go. Like, I was going, yeah. So as we get out there, the boat is coming in and I realize it's a huge boat. This boat is going to all those islands. It's not like there's one boat to meagerness, one boat to Paris, one boat to Athens.   [00:34:43.320] - Tamara Gruber So I'm like, oh, OK, I get it now. But so you're in this giant, like heard and then they are running a few minutes late, which they often are. And so like the boat is not even like docked yet and you know, the gangplank is down, people are ready to walk off and they're like hurting us. They're like, go, go, go, go, go down. You, you know? And I'm like, you know, I have my you know, we have our luggage.   [00:35:07.230] - Tamara Gruber Of course, I have my phone out to show, like the boarding pass. And I think I'm have to show like my health form and my boarding pass and like all this stuff. And the people are streaming off the boat and and, you know, we're like streaming on at the same time and the people are in the back almost with, like, cattle prods, like, go, go, go. And I hear the captain go in like, we got to go.   [00:35:26.710] - Tamara Gruber We got to leave. We got to leave my. Oh, my God. Like, what are they going to do, like leave people, you know, we're barely on the boat. And the thing is coming up and they're pulling away and we're it's just like you're in the hold of the boat with, like, the cars. And there's like these racks where you can put your luggage and some of them are labeled with certain islands. But, you know, people are just throwing their luggage up on racks and like you're running out of space.   [00:35:51.910] - Tamara Gruber So Glenn's like putting it up on the top thing. And then there's this huge, like line to get up the stairs, you know, but it's like very bouncy at this point. So you're, like trying to keep your balance, but there's like a catch point because that's where you then have to show, like, your boarding pass. They never checked the health forms, you know, and then we get up there and then finally they're like, OK, these are your seats.   [00:36:11.650] - Tamara Gruber And we sit down.   [00:36:12.160] - Tamara Gruber We're like, oh, OK.   [00:36:14.200] - Kim Tate Like, that was very stressful. How long ago, right? Was it?   [00:36:17.560] - Tamara Gruber It was. I think I was like about an hour and a half to go from Santorini to Naxos.   [00:36:22.900] - Kim Tate What do they do with the people who don't have their boarding?   [00:36:25.120] - Tamara Gruber I know. Exactly. And they start from like they stopped at another island like Ios, I think first, you know, and so I don't know. I don't know. Do they like I have no idea what you put your kind of don't want to put your bag in first either because like how do you get your bag out then these racks of everybody and throwing their bags on top. And I believe that they wait there for a while. They'll let you get your bag.   [00:36:50.590] - Tamara Gruber so then we're sitting there and you hear and it's, you know, how things are. At least they had a loudspeaker on the on the ferry. And the ferry is very much like, do you actually hear it, though? It's probably like what you're used to with your ferries where, you know, you have assigned seating. It's more like airplane seating, like, you know, like you have seats.   [00:37:07.330] - Kim Tate We don't run out here in Seattle. It's open seating.   [00:37:10.790] - Tamara Gruber So, yeah. So we had assigned seating and I was like, there's a concession bar. So it's more like, you know, it's, it's a big, you know, it's a big boat.   [00:37:17.410] - Tamara Gruber There's multiple tiers.   [00:37:18.790] - Tamara Gruber So there is a loudspeaker, there's like TVs playing but they're in Greek. I don't know what's going on in them. And they're making the announcement first in Greek, but then in English. But I tell them, you you cannot understand it. It's just Charlie Brown. Yeah. And so we're just like, what?   [00:37:33.010] - Tamara Gruber You know, what was that?   [00:37:34.000] - Tamara Gruber What was that? And like, luckily we had seen as the boat was coming in, there was like one of those leg things where it was like Ios, Naxos, Paros, and it gave like the order. It seems like we're going to be the second one. Just remember where the second one, you know, but they're like, oh my, please report to whatever.   [00:37:50.770] - Tamara Gruber So basically, like before you get to your island, they're calling you to go down to the hold and that's where you grab your luggage. Yeah. So then we grab our bag.   [00:37:59.920] - Tamara Gruber But even then, like, it got stuck on, like there was like a net up there and like the wheel was stuck and we're like, oh, I got to get it out, you know. And then we're, you know, standing there and again, like it's like the thing is barely coming down. Stop, drop and roll.   [00:38:12.280] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, like, go, go, go, go.   [00:38:15.040] - Tamara Gruber And then the cars are coming off and they're like, get out of the way. And I'm like, oh my God. Like, what am I supposed to do? This is crazy. But one thing I will say is when you arrive at an island by ferry or by plane, it's really helpful if you have your transportation already arranged because there are not a ton of taxis on these islands. So we saw people like waiting a really long time for a taxi.   [00:38:37.510] - Tamara Gruber So I had used I read about it online somewhere, but it's called Welcome Pickup's. It's like a little bit like an Uber, but you arrange it ahead of time and it worked seamlessly. They weren't on Naxos, but it worked in Athens and it worked in Santorini, you know, where we walked out of the plane in Santorini. And there's a guy holding a sign, you know, Gruber, and we get right in and go. And that's how it was when we arrived in Naxos.   [00:39:00.730] - Tamara Gruber Although I didn't use that service, it was like through the hotel. But it was just so nice to be like, oh, here's a guy. You know, we do that we like just super long line to try to find a taxi. And, you know, so that was really great. I would definitely recommend using the welcome pick ups because the hotel in Santorini was going to arrange something. I think they were going to charge us maybe like seventy five euro.   [00:39:21.580] - Tamara Gruber And then I booked through this and it was like less than 50 euro. So I'm sure it's even cheaper if you got a taxi. Sometimes it's like you're already spending that much money. It's like, do you really need to save twenty five bucks or whatever?   [00:39:38.170] - Tamara Gruber Then that's how a lot of like when we were in Naxos, we the main town is called Naxos Town or Chora, I guess like what I've learned is that on the islands there's one town and all the others are villages, you know, so you have to like get to a certain size. And then all the main town is called like or something like that. And but it's also just called Naxos.   [00:39:56.620] - Tamara Gruber So so we were about fifteen minutes south of there, like on a beach called Agios Prokopios. I always like switch the key in the P and so you could take a bus like back and forth. But we were like, yeah, I'll just take a taxi. But, you know, like, it's it is a little bit more so I can see why people would like to stay in town, but I really loved our location. So we stayed at a place called the Virtu Suites.   [00:40:30.980] - Tamara Gruber Maybe they have a dozen rooms or so. They have different ones. We didn't we didn't go with the top of the line there. I just looked like a Seaview suite. So it was just like basically you walked out of our room and the pool was right there. But I love this hotel again. It was really new. Like they opened, I think late 2019.   [00:40:51.880] - Tamara Gruber So then they were closed most of last year.   [00:40:55.090] - Tamara Gruber And so there, you know, they are back and they were like, please leave us a review. Or if you like, we need, you know, we need to get the word out and like don't you worry. Yeah. I'm going to like let them know. So we, I loved it. Like everything was all these natural materials. It was like rope and wood. And, you know, it's just like a very, very nice style, very comfortable style.   [00:41:16.990] - Tamara Gruber The service was wonderful. It wasn't I don't even know if all the rooms were filled. Definitely not when we got there, because we got there on a Monday, I felt like at first. We might have been like one of the only ones in the place. The room was pretty large, you know, it was just it was just so nice like you.   [00:41:32.230] - Tamara Gruber We walked out of our room, you know, two steps.   [00:41:34.930] - Tamara Gruber There is the pool, you know, ten steps. We're at the restaurant, which is like open area, restaurant, bar facing the street. And then you go across the street and there's the beach and the beach is gorgeous.   [00:41:46.840] - Tamara Gruber And they have you know, they have loungers with umbrellas. And all you have to do is a hotel guest just have them reserve it. They give you a form the night before and the reserve you loungers down in the front. And then if those don't fill up, then like people can come and pay to stay at the other ones, you know, and they can bring you drinks and food and stuff. And so it was the and the beach was beautiful.   [00:42:09.850] - Tamara Gruber The water was like fairly calm, whereas up by town, like there were a lot more waves. It was rougher. Like that's where people like surf and windsurf.   [00:42:17.260] - Tamara Gruber So I thought it was great even for families, you know, like it. And it was it was fun because someone had said like, oh the yeah, the because the beaches in Santorini are like rock.   [00:42:28.990] - Tamara Gruber So they're like, oh no. Naxos has really good beaches there. It's like silk. And I'm like, OK, they haven't seen, you know, some beaches because that was not like Florida. Well, it was it was not rock. It was more like, you know, what I'd have here in the in the Northeast, like, you know, coarse sand and then, you know, maybe some rock, like as you are getting into the water.   [00:42:51.400] - Tamara Gruber And then it kind of drops off fairly quickly. And then it's super, super soft, like there is no seaweed, no shells.   [00:42:57.130] - Tamara Gruber Like it was just really beautiful.   [00:42:59.470] - Tamara Gruber You could go out, you know, and just kind of float or swim. And you had a pretty good current. Glenn tried to swim a little bit and it was it was tough.   [00:43:06.700] - Tamara Gruber But, you know, you can just float and just like, you know, enjoy and relax. And the water was clear and, you know, a couple of fish swimming around. It was just it was really, really beautiful. Like, I was like, why am I in the Caribbean like this water? It was so turquoise. It was really beautiful and quiet. there were families. They would play like beach games and, you know, kids around. But it was it did not feel super crowded at all, like especially if you were out there in the morning. I think I posted some pictures and you can see there was like no one in the water. It was just it was beautiful, really, really beautiful. So I loved where we stayed.   [00:43:40.720] - Tamara Gruber The town right where we were staying was smaller. So it was basically like a couple of beach shops with like beach bags and bathing suits and stuff like that.   [00:43:50.200] - Tamara Gruber Maybe one boutique shop where I actually bought something and a few restaurants, you know, there were there were a few like attached to hotels. There were a few like right on that beachfront road and then a couple of others, but like very, you know, authentic and good food.   [00:44:07.000] - Tamara Gruber You know, like we had our two dinners that we did. There were forty euro total and we had an appetizer to like giant entrees that we couldn't finish, I think. Well, the one place they brought us a free dessert, two drinks, like I was like forty euro versus Santorini. So it was it was really very affordable there. Even the hotel restaurant, which was really good, was not overpriced, you know, for anything. A hotel restaurant is always going to be a bit more.   [00:44:35.380] - Tamara Gruber So we loved it there. I would definitely recommend looking at staying there. Like I said, it was very comfortable, great service.   [00:44:42.520] - Tamara Gruber And, you know, the distance from town was a little bit of a challenge, like we did take a taxi back and forth a few times. But it depends like if you're planning on renting a car or if you're going to, you know, just spend time on the beach, like you don't necessarily need to be going back and forth every day. Yes, I really enjoyed it. And then our first sounds nice.   [00:45:03.010] - Kim Tate You know, first full day there, I had arranged for us to charter a private sailing on a sailboat. It was something that we had done. When we were in Italy one time and it was like one of my best travel days ever, so like, I really want to do this and we just didn't want to do like we wanted. I felt like we're in the islands, like, how do you not get out on the water and see it from the water?   [00:45:25.360] - Kim Tate And like that felt like part of the experience. But I didn't want to do like a big group thing. Like, it just wasn't comfortable with that.   [00:45:31.900] - Tamara Gruber So, yes, I had booked it through Naxos Sailing and the guy, the Captain George was like he was such a character, so funny.   [00:45:40.960] - Tamara Gruber So I don't know, like, sarcastic, like just he was great. But he also like, you know, he really took care of us and he had like another guy that was kind of like apprenticing for him, helping out too. But we went out for the whole day and we went first to it. So basically, like from Naxos, you can see the island of Paros. So we went over to Paros and then there's some small, like a smaller island off of Paros called Antiparos And so there was an area there where we were snorkeling or is like definitely popular. You could see like a number of boats coming out to do snorkeling there. There are a couple like yachts sitting there. It was a little bit rough. It reminded me a little bit of when you and I were in Key Largo and we went, oh, yeah, yeah. So not as seasick, but like, remember when we got in there and we're like, really bobbing around like the water bobbing like this.   [00:46:37.390] Like I went in and I'm going to I'm you know, I'm just not comfortable in the water. It's, I've never like the water, I don't enjoy swimming. I don't like going under the water. Snorkeling is fine because I can stay on top. But then when you're like bobbing around and then like a wave is coming and like water went down my snorkel. So then I'm like coughing and they're like, just blow it out. And I'm like, no, I'm done.   [00:46:55.000] - Tamara Gruber I'm out of here. So, Glenn, you know, he did a little bit more and I just, like, hung out in the boat. But, you know, the water is beautiful, is great.   [00:47:02.680] - Tamara Gruber Then we went over on Paros.   [00:47:04.930] - Tamara Gruber There's like a sea cave that you can snorkel into, but the top of the cave has a big hole in it. So you had, like, the stream of light, like coming into this cave. So it's like a really neat experience. So we pulled up to there. But because it's like a fairly big sailboat, he couldn't get super close.   [00:47:20.200] - Tamara Gruber So you'd have to, like, swim over and he gives you like a noodle and stuff, you know, because, like, I'm not a super strong swimmer, but I, I was like climbing down to get into the water and I just looked at it and I'm like, no, I'm not doing it. I'm sorry. Like, I'm just not I don't because I, I remember when we were in Italy, we I swam through this like grotto and like on the other side I had Hannah and stupidly, we didn't have like life jackets or noodles with us.   [00:47:45.010] - Tamara Gruber And we were both getting tired. And I pulled her up on to some rocks and some guy had to like, help me get her back to the boat. So I'm like, no, I just don't think I can swim that far. Like, I don't think I'm that, you know, I'm comfortable. So Glenn went with, like, the other guy on the boat and I just hung out on the boat and he loved it. He thought it was great, but it just wasn't something like like, again, I'm just not a very good swimmer.   [00:48:06.370] - Tamara Gruber So then from there went to like a small fishing village on Paros and we could stay in, like, hang out and have lunch there and go to a beach there. We're going to be there for like three hours. So it gives you time to like explore Paros. That's the reason I booked this particular tour, because I felt like, oh, this gives us a way to, like, see another island without having to, like, worry about the ferry schedule.   [00:48:29.860] - Tamara Gruber So we decided to go and take a cab to the main town and I always mispronounce this one too. But it's like Naoussa. We had to wait a really long time for a cab. So again, like if we had arranged it ahead of time, it would have worked much better because by the time we finally got there, we only had like a little over an hour and we needed to eat some lunch too.   [00:48:59.380] - Tamara Gruber Like I would have I would have had lunch while I was waiting if I had known it was going to take that long. And they're like, oh, it's going to be ten minutes and it was going to be half an hour. And then suddenly, like an hour later, we're still like waiting for the cab. But that town was gorgeous.   [00:49:12.490] - Tamara Gruber It was so charming. I know again, Eric has posted some pictures from there in the past, but it was I fell in love with that town and I'm like, we have to come back and we have to stay on Pario so that we can explore more of this town.   [00:49:24.430] - Tamara Gruber It just felt like there were just so many shops. There's so many, like in the old town, like so many little alleyways and restaurants and things to explore. Just looks so cute. But we had kind of a quick lunch quick, a little walk through, and then we had to take the cab back.   [00:49:37.990] - Tamara Gruber And then from there we sailed back to Naxos and I just kind of like chilled out. And it was it was a great day.   [00:49:46.420] - Tamara Gruber So, you know, again, a really fun thing to do, whether you do it private or they do, you know, small groups, you know, and he has a bunch of different tours he does on sunset catamarans. So actually, he gives you a DVD with the photos because he has like an underwater camera. So he takes photos all throughout the trip. Then he gives you a DVD.   [00:50:04.990] - Tamara Gruber So the next day when we were in town, we stopped by the boat to get the DVD and he was like, oh, someone like already reached out to me that said that, you know, they heard. About it from you, and they booked a trip with us. I'm like, oh, that's amazing. You know, so because I don't think he I mean, we paid for everything on this trip like nothing was sponsored or comped. So I didn't even always even mention that to people.   [00:50:25.670] - Tamara Gruber So I don't even know if I don't think he's very savvy when it comes to Instagram. I don't think he knew that I tagged, you know.   [00:50:32.000] - Tamara Gruber Oh, yeah. He was probably just like, wow, this is great, you know? Yeah. So that was a great day. I'm sorry. I'm just like going on.   [00:50:41.600]

Kim is back to traveling and this week she fills us in on her recent Seattle staycation and her mother-daughters trip to Vail, Colorado. About Our Sponsor - Atlas Ocean Voyages Today's podcast is brought to you by Atlas Ocean Voyages.  If you have ever dreamed of cruising to Greece or Egypt, now is the time to book! Atlas Ocean Voyages just introduced its expedition ship World Navigator. This small ship, luxury vessel is built for adventure in a sustainable, energy-efficient manner.  Perfect for adventurous families or multi-generational groups, its compact size and small guest count of fewer than 200 passengers, means a higher space to guest ratio and more intimacy and personalized service. From August through September 2021, World Navigator will sail 7 separate 12 night itineraries to Greece and Egypt. And its small size and agility means she can dock in smaller ports, avoiding large crowds and getting a more authentic experience. And this summer, arrivals in Greece do not coincide with any other cruise ships in port! Bookings are all inclusive, including both airfare and excursions. The ship's facilities and protocols reflect state of the art public health guidance. With stringent public health protocols followed by staff and crew with pre-boarding and pre-embarkation PCR testing provided for all passengers. Social distancing will be maintained with small group shore excursions. Atlas welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new'      To learn more, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com and we thank them for their support. Seattle Staycation There are two many tourist districts in Seattle, one is downtown not far from Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and the waterfront, and the other is at Seattle Center, where the Space Needle, MoPop, the Science Center, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass is located. You can use the monorail to get between these two main areas. Kim and her girls stayed at the newly remodeled Fairmont Olympic Hotel downtown. You can have afternoon tea in the newly redecorated lobby and lobby bar -- and they are very good about food allergies. A great way to explore the city is with CityPASS. For the Seattle CityPASS you can go to three of the following five attractions: Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Harbor Cruise, MoPop, and Woodland Park Zoo. The Pacific Science Center is usually included as an option but it is currently closed and scheduled to reopen in late 2021. Many attractions currently require reservations but the CityPASS system makes this easy to do online -- although it pays to do it a week or more in advance. If you can, try to plan your days to visit the Aquarium and Pike Place on the same day (and do a harbor cruise if that is your choice). Then visit the Space Needle, Chihuly, and MoPop on the same day since they are all very close to each other. You can then visit the zoo on the third day of your trip. However, you should consider the weather forecast and try to pick a clear day to visit the Space Needle. Right now MoPop has a special Disney Villians and Heroes Exhibit (not included in the CityPASS) Pike Place Chowder in the waterfront area is a great place for lunch. Woodland Park Zoo currently has a very cute baby gorilla. Summer Trip to Vail Note: Kim and her family were hosted by Vail Resorts. All opinions are her own. If you fly into Denver, you can take the Epic Mountain Express shuttle to Vail, which is about a 2.5 hour trip depending on traffic (Denver is known for bad traffic) Kim stayed in the Manor Vail condos, about a 10 minute walk from Vail Village (there are also shuttles). Manor Vail is next to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens In Vail Village there are many restaurants and shops, an indoor bowling alley, and outdoor cornhole, which is a lot of fun Give yourself time to adjust to altitude but rest, drinking a lot of water, and an oxygen shot can help. You can go horseback riding in Vail with a two hour trail ride through a magical forest. Alpen Rose is a great spot in town for dinner. From Lion's Head you can take the Eagle Bahn Gondola At the top of the mountain there is an Epic Discovery park with ziplines, a mountain coaster, trampolines, a rock wall, and a lawn slide. Eating at the top of the mountain is expensive so be prepared or eat before you go. The ziplines and ropes course is currently closed for the summer. Picnic Vail will arrange a picnic for you at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, including set up and clean up, complete with food and interactive games to play together. If you can visit during the week it will be less crowded in Vail Village and at the activities If you decide to rent a car, rent in advance and be prepared for long lines and high rates this summer. There are also more flight cancellations this summer as travel gets back into gear and airlines struggle to bring employees back on board. Full Episode Transcript [00:00:00.060] - Kim Tate Staycation and vacations. Find out what Kim's been up to this summer.   [00:00:16.530] - Announcer Welcome to Vacation Mavens, a family travel podcast with ideas for your next vacation and tips to get you out the door. Here are your hosts, Kim from Stuffed Suitcase and Tamara from We3Travel.   [00:00:31.620] - Tamara Gruber Today's podcast is brought to you by Atlas Ocean Voyages. If you've ever dreamed of cruising to Greece or Egypt, now is the time to book Atlas. Ocean Voyages just introduced its new expedition ship, The World Navigator. This small ship luxury vessel is built for adventure in a sustainable but energy efficient manner. It's perfect for adventurous families or multigenerational groups. It's compact size and small guest count of fewer than 200 passengers means a higher space to guest ratio and more intimacy and personalized service.   [00:01:01.500] - Tamara Gruber From August through September 2021, World Navigator will sail seven separate 12 night itineraries to Greece and Egypt, and its small size and agility means she can dock in smaller ports, avoiding large crowds and getting a more authentic experience. And this summer, arrivals in Greece do not coincide with any other cruise ships in port bookings are all inclusive, including both airfare and excursions. The ship's facilities and protocols reflect state of the art public health guidance, with stringent public health protocols followed by staff and crew.   [00:01:30.390] - Tamara Gruber With preboarding and pre embarkation PCR testing provided for all passengers, social distancing will be maintained with small groups shore excursions. Atlas welcomes travelers to come back to something brand new. To learn more, please visit www.AtlasOcean Voyages.com, and we thank them for their support. So Kim, I'm sure you're like melting over there in Seattle in this heat wave. Are you ready to hop on a cruise ship to Greece?   [00:01:56.760] - Kim Tate Yes. That sounded pleasant when you were saying it. I was thinking it'd be so nice to stand out on a cruise deck with the ocean. And, you know, that cool ocean breeze sounds so amazing right now.   [00:02:08.310] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. And, you know, I love the small ship concept. Sounds like really good to me. And the fact that it can go into the smaller ports and the more authentic kind of places and not have any other cruise ships and ports. You're not fighting with all those other gazillion passengers.   [00:02:22.710] - Kim Tate You know, that's huge, I think, because we all I mean, those of us who have cruised on mega ships, which is everything I've done, you definitely get that sense of kind of being the herd at the end of the dock as you all come off and everybody's trying to sell you stuff and it's just chaos.   [00:02:40.800] - Kim Tate So I like the idea that it's just a small ship and kind of sounds like it's more of an intimate feel and you probably get more, you know, like you think when you step off and there's not a bunch of people you can kind of enjoy taking in the scenery a little more. You're not worried about all the hustle and bustle and hurrying somewhere, right?   [00:02:57.630] - Tamara Gruber Exactly. Yeah. Well, I'm by the time this comes out, I'm actually going to be back from my trip from Greece, assuming all goes well. But you've had a few little trips of your own recently and I would love to hear more about them. So do you want to tell us a little bit about your staycation first?   [00:03:15.690] - Kim Tate Of course, yeah. I'm so excited to get a chat a little because you've been so busy traveling. So finally, I got to dip my toes back in the summer travels and our first trip was more of just a staycation and it was with Seattle. And what happened is basically it was that CityPASS had reached out and said, hey, are you still in Seattle? Do you want to, you know, use some CityPASSes and enjoy some of the sights now that they're opening back up?   [00:03:39.060] - Kim Tate And I said, absolutely, let's do it. And so I actually arranged with the Fairmont in Seattle, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, which I've never stayed at before. And it's kind of considered one of those classic original hotels in Seattle that people will actually come in to kind of tour and get a look around. And they have a brand new lobby design and a brand new lobby bar that they just opened. So I reached out to them and they hosted us for two nights.   [00:04:07.260] - Kim Tate And one thing I'll say is for people who are planning a trip to Seattle, I don't know much about Seattle. I consider, of course, Seattle's spread out and has tons of neighborhoods and each neighborhood has some benefits and nice parts to it. But if you're going to do like the traditional touristy things, there's kind of a downtown district that's more of the business district and it's just up from kind of Pike Place Market and the wharf and the aquarium and all the all the cruise sports kind of are nearby there. And then a little further up is Seattle Center. And that's where I mean, I know, you know this that's where they have MoPop and the Space Needle and Chiluly is there as well as the science center. So there's two main kind of tourist sectors. And I personally love staying in the more the downtown corridor that's near Pike Place, that's just I like that area better.   [00:05:01.530] - Kim Tate It just has kind of a vibe that I like. So that's where Fairmont is. It's kind of in that area. And we really liked our stay there. I stayed in a King executive suite and then they gave us a connecting room for the girls, which was a double and. Again, it's just so nice I mean, the rooms are nice, very clean, you know, fresh linens and all of that, the lobby is just amazing there.   [00:05:25.170] - Kim Tate And we actually had afternoon tea at the Fairmont, which is something they're well known for. All Fairmont's are known for.   [00:05:30.990] - Tamara Gruber I was going to say, yes, I always think I mean, I love Fairmont Hotels. They're just wonderful. I've stayed in that area a couple of times, but it's always been the Westin. But the Fairmont's definitely are known for the tea, so you got to do that.   [00:05:44.370] - Kim Tate So we did do that one day and it was so nice. The girls and I both liked it and I thought, they were so helpful with Mia's allergies. So we had said, you know, nuts and eggs are an issue. And they actually brought her out her own little tray of food and then and our own tray that Lizzy and I could eat off of. And so it's just things like, you know, we had chicken salad.   [00:06:08.220] - Kim Tate Some of our sandwiches were like chicken salad on little piece of lettuce, whereas they just gave her little bits of chicken without the mayo for the salad part. And then the all the sweet treats they provided were vegan. So no eggs and then didn't have nuts. So she was very happy. And it was nice that they recognize that. And then, of course, the tea aspect, it's so fun for them. They really enjoy that because we each you know, each of us got to choose our own type of tea.   [00:06:34.950] - Kim Tate And then they bring the pot and you have your glass and your little strainer and you can pour it. And they just it was just nice. And the other thing is the seating areas they have they're in the lobby for it are all cozy seating, you know, which has become so popular, I think, with hotels now. But, you know, we had like a couch and two armchairs and that was to kind of whatever you call poufs, which, of course, we didn't use because there was just three of us.   [00:06:59.760] - Kim Tate But it's just a really it's kind of a fun seating area where you can relax a little bit. And so we talked and we spent, I would say, about an hour and 15 minutes just kind of enjoying our experience there. So that was a lot of fun. And I was glad that we got to experience one of the Fairmont Classic things to do.   [00:07:16.410] - Tamara Gruber Did you guys get dressed up for it too?   [00:07:18.510] - Kim Tate We did. Yeah, we did. I had each of the girls and I was kind of nice. So then we went back up to our room, changed into more, you know, normal everyday clothes. And we we used, which is something I did with you. We use the monorail a lot and it is under construction. Now, the Westlake Center is under construction right now, but they're still operating the monorail, which is such a convenient way, like I said, to get between those two areas.   [00:07:44.070] - Kim Tate And that was the funny thing about the monorail is built with the 62 World's Fair when the Space Needle was built. And so it's got this futuristic feel, but it is just like a monorail, kind of like it Disney or, you know, anything like that. The thing that throws most people off, because I heard tourists on the train, they didn't get that. There's literally one stop. It's just a back and forth shuttle of sorts. So that's one thing to keep in mind.   [00:08:08.310] - Kim Tate It's not like this really long. You're not going throughout the city in it.   [00:08:12.270] - Kim Tate Yeah. You're not getting a tour. Exactly. Yeah, that's a great way of saying it. So but we use that a lot just to get up there, because like I said, with the CityPASS, which is one of the reasons we're there, your admission if you buy a CityPASS ticket, you automatically get admission to the Space Needle and the aquarium, which, like I said, are in the two different sectors. And then you also get to choose three attractions from a list of five.   [00:08:35.850] - Kim Tate So it's you can either take a little harbor tour with Argosy Cruises. You can go to the Museum of Pop Culture, also known as Mo Pop, used to be called Experience Music Project. And then you can go to the Woodland Park Zoo, you can go to Chihuly garden of glass or you can go to the Pacific Science Center. The Pacific Science Center is still closed right now and isn't set to reopen until the end of this year. Late this year or so, that one wasn't an issue for us.   [00:09:02.310] - Kim Tate So we chose to do the Space Needle. The aquarium, MoPop, the zoo, and Chilhuly. And the thing to think, the thing that we did on that, that is something you have to keep in mind right now. A CityPASS is the fact that you have to make reservations in advance for a lot of these places because they're still just doing limited capacity. And so I was a little worried about how that would work. However, the CityPASS system is really just works great.   [00:09:28.140] - Kim Tate They have everything streamlined and it's all done electronically. You know, through a website, you just click on, say, make a reservation. The hardest reservation to make was the aquarium. They had the most limitations. And like I said, because of the location of things, I tried to pair the aquarium up on a different day, whereas I compared, like the Space Needle and Chihuly and MoPop, I wanted to pair them together since they're all in one area and then the zoo is a little further north.   [00:09:55.470] - Kim Tate So when we checked out of the hotel, we just drove up to the zoo and did that before we drove home. So, yeah, it was a fun day. You know, they're just such classic things to do in Seattle, the Space Needle, it was a beautiful, clear day. It was very busy. So we once we turned it, you know, scanned our tickets for entrance. It was probably about a half an hour. Till we got to the elevator, so they have kind of a queue line that wraps around the gift shop of all places, but you stand in that line and then you you don't actually get to shop.   [00:10:27.370] - Kim Tate It's kind of an overlook over the gift shop. But you then get to the elevators and they have a couple of different elevators that they start taking people up. There's actually four elevators on different sides. And I didn't even realize that. It's so funny. I've been up the Space Needle a few times and I've never really considered that it does make a difference which elevator you get your view. I mean, obviously. So the four elevators that face different directions give you a very different view.   [00:10:53.020] - Kim Tate So we are lucky enough to get the which I consider one of the best elevators, which is more of the south facing elevator. So you can see Rainier as you're going up and you also see the Puget Sound a bit. And whereas if you're on the north side, you see like the Lake Union, Lake Washington, University of Washington, kind of that angle. So it's an interesting thing to keep in mind is just that depending on what elevator you get, your view up is a little different.   [00:11:16.900] - Kim Tate But once you get in, you know, I walk around when you're like, yes, yes, that's I was going to say, of course, once I get to top, it doesn't matter what the view is, it's strictly just when you're in the elevator, they have to it's got kind of the window view. But, yeah, once you're at the top, they've got the interesting thing is they've got it open. However, they've started doing something.   [00:11:35.410] - Kim Tate I think this might have just been I'm curious if this will stick around. I saw that they did close it for the summer. And so I'm wondering if this is going to be an off season thing or how this works. But they did close sections of the viewpoints and they had put private tables there and they sold packages to people where you could go do like wine tasting and appetizers up on the needle. And it was a table for two. And I think they had maybe some for four as well.   [00:12:02.270] - Kim Tate So if you did it with another couple, but it is something to keep in mind so you don't get quite the wide open look as you used to. However, when I was doing the research, I noticed they closed. There was no more tickets for that. So I'm wondering if during peak summer they're getting rid of that. And that's more of an off season thing to help fill dollar bills that say, you know what, I'm trying to.   [00:12:23.890] - Tamara Gruber So, I mean, the Space Needle, they just redid that, like not that many years ago. So I remember when you and I met up there. Yes. It after we did the cruise. Right like that. It was recently done and it looked, you know, looked things looked really nice. Yeah, it is really nice. They have a few they have kind of that the you know, they've got the glass walls now and then they have these glass benches or maybe it's not glass, plastic or whatever it is, but basically it's clear.   [00:12:51.130] - Kim Tate So you can get the sensation, like you can sit on the bench and lean back, you know, so slightly angled out on the glass if you feel brave enough. And so there's a couple of things where they try make it interactive like that and then you can go down. So that's the upper level. And then you go down one level and that's where they have the rotating floor. That's the glass. And so you can stand on the floor and kind of see yourself rotate over the Seattle center area.   [00:13:15.370] - Kim Tate And then, of course, you still have the windows to look out, but it's not the open air like on the upper level. And so there are two levels that you can explore. And then they have a little, you know, bar up there. So some people choose to you know, I don't know how the reservations work for that. But, you know, it's just something to keep in mind. But they are it's a fun thing to do, especially if it's a clear day, which since you have to make reservations, it's a little more, you know, to make sure you time that right.   [00:13:42.850] - Kim Tate So I did definitely look on for a weekend. I looked on the weather forecast and I chose the day there was seemed, you know, it was like partly cloudy and sort of cloudy. We had a beautiful, beautiful view of Mt. Rainier in the city skyline. So it was gorgeous.   [00:14:00.790] - Tamara Gruber And so it's nice and it works out, especially with your Seattle weather, right?   [00:14:04.840] - Kim Tate Yeah, exactly. Our Seattle weather man, it's like you already said, we're dying now. So it's crazy, our weather. So that's the one thing we did. And then we actually had worked it. We actually did that on the first day. And like I said, how I tried to pair everything up. But the aquarium we did that evening. So we finished up the needle, went and got lunch and then came back and then walked down and did the aquarium, which is, you know, it's it's renowned and people love it.   [00:14:32.530] - Kim Tate It's my girls really wanted to go there. That was the number one thing they wanted to do. I think it's a fine aquarium. It's not like Monterey Bay Aquarium or it's not, you know, like some of these massive aquariums that you hear about the Seattle aquariums. Not like that. The cool thing about the Seattle Aquarium is that it's really focused around, like the fact that it sits over Puget Sound and they actually funnel water from the sound through some of their exhibits.   [00:14:55.660] - Kim Tate You get a real sense that these are the animals, this is the climate, this is the habitat that you're looking at right out here. And I think that's the neat the neat part of it is that it is so tangibly linked to the Puget Sound. So that's one cool thing. They they're little. They my girls love their little otters and they were not out and visible. So we were kind of bummed on that. But it's neat to be down there.   [00:15:20.860] - Kim Tate And like I said, it's on the waterfront, which is always a fun, fun place to walk around and see.   [00:15:28.000] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, I remember when I was there just to hanging out at the otters for quite a while because they are so cute is a bummer that they're not that they weren't swimming. They are there are a lot of fun to watch. And I do have to say something really quickly about if you're the type that likes to buy souvenirs, all these Seattle attractions do an amazing job with their gift shops. I don't know who curates them or whatever, but we end up always browsing and walking through the gift shops and they they just somehow find the cutest little things that they procure. And so allow time for that and money for that.   [00:16:03.340] - Kim Tate If you like buying souvenirs, because the gift shops at the Space Needle, especially, we bought actually a puzzle for my mom. That was from the sixty two World's Fair. That was really cool. And the girls got Lizzy got two sweatshirts. But anyways, the Seattle Aquarium was great. We went back then we went we went and got dinner and then kind of called it a night. And then the next day we did Chihuly and Mo Pop.   [00:16:30.370] - Kim Tate I'm sure a lot of people have heard of Dave Chihuly. He's a major glass artist that he actually studied in the Seattle area for a while. And that's why there's such a tie to him there. I can't remember where he's originally from. I'm blanking right now. But he helped found some of the glass school stuff in Seattle. So he's a big name for the Seattle Glass art community. But that usually garden and glass exhibit is just beautiful. It's not if you've been there once, it doesn't really change.   [00:16:57.700] - Kim Tate It's but it's got the most amazing artistry when you can really look at the artistry of the pieces instead of just like, oh, cool. It's a big piece of art sculpture that's cool. And you kind of get past it. But then when you actually start diving in and looking at the unique striations or little bumps here and you think of how that was done with hot molten glass, it really is quite, quite amazing artistry.   [00:17:23.080] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, his work is is amazing. I've I mean, I think everyone's seen it even if they don't know that they've seen it. You know, there's so many pieces and so many places from like know casinos to airports and all that, that that museum is really spectacular.   [00:17:37.780] - Kim Tate Yeah, it's quite beautiful. And they have a nice little, you know, cafe near there that we actually ate at on this trip. And I love that cafe because it's kind of fun. They have these it's a really eclectic it's like collectors. They have they have like a whole bunch of old accordions hanging from the ceiling. And then they have these old radios on the wall. And I don't know, it's kind of fun on our our table.   [00:18:01.570] - Kim Tate There was a hollowed out section. So under the glass top table, there were, I think, old radios. It's just cute.   [00:18:08.140] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, I remember the food is good. It wasn't just like, you know, some places would have a like a restaurant cafe and it would be like, you know, burgers and fries and stuff like.   [00:18:17.210] - Kim Tate Yes, this one. Nice. Yeah, this was flatbread. Pizzas is what they had going on right now and definitely pricey. But the the pizzas were delicious. We each got one and yeah, it was well done. And you can see them cook in the pizzas, you know, nearby. So it was great. So that was a nice little stop. And again, it's right next to the Space Needle, but we had done that the previous day and then we went over to Mo Pop, which I actually upgraded from our CityPASS.   [00:18:44.500] - Kim Tate Right now they have a Disney Heroes and Villains costume exhibit, which was six dollars more per person. So I actually paid that and upgraded our CityPASS. The CityPASS covers the the museum itself and then the extra exhibit cost more. But we've been. To MoPop before, and it's it's just kind of a fun, fun thing. It was funny because I was just there in March with Mia when it was still kind of, you know, things were still kind of locked down and they had just recently reopened and there was nobody in there.   [00:19:13.870] - Kim Tate And they had a Minecraft exhibit that she was really wanting to go see. And so we had gone and done that and there was nobody in there. And, you know, you get there and they gave us these little styluses to use. And now when we when we went there and it was, you know, June, everything's open again. And they still have the timed entry. But there was so many people. And, you know, Lizzy was kind of sad because she didn't get to see the Minecraft exhibit because they got rid of that, of course, to bring in the Disney exhibit.   [00:19:40.030] - Kim Tate And there was just it was there was a lot of people visiting. And so tourism is definitely back in Seattle. We had one of our favorite places that Mia loves is called Pike Place Chowder, and they are down this kind of back alley is what it's called near Pike Place Market. And we thought, oh, yeah, we'll just hop over there and get you some food. And that was our first experience, like our first day down there.   [00:20:02.860] - Kim Tate We went down there to go get lunch there. And I was like, wow, OK, tourism's definitely back because the line was all the way to the street. And, you know, it's just it was just kind of funny. It was it was great. It's great to see that people are back and visiting the city and spending money. And so we were you're like, oh, I have to wait in line.   [00:20:20.690] - Kim Tate Exactly. Especially when it's a staycation. Right? You're like, oh, this this is my town. I want to just be able to do whatever I want. And why didn't I take advantage of this before everyone came back? So, yeah, it's but it was good. So we didn't get the chowder there. But I don't remember where I was going with this when I went off on that.   [00:20:41.950] - Tamara Gruber I've been to MoPop twice and I do love that they always change those exhibits because, you know, it makes it very fresh. But I do I think the first time I visited, I didn't realize that I was in a temporary exhibit. So I came back and I told Glenn all about this whole Star Trek exhibit. So when we were there for the cruise, we're like, we got to go, we got to go.   [00:20:57.610] - Tamara Gruber And we went there and he's like, there's no Star Trek exhibit. But then I think it was like Marvel, which, you know, he loved, you know, having that thing, all the Marvel costumes. Right.   [00:21:06.380] - Kim Tate But yeah, that was good. That's always that up upper level is the one that they use. And they do I think I think sometimes the visiting exhibits are just amazing. We there's another one that we always like. That's the fairy tale which is down. There's the floor of horrors, which is kind of freaky. And then there's the, you know, fairy tale exhibit, which is kind of fun. But we it's funny because things must be getting busy again, like I said, because there is a few things when me and I were there in March that she wanted to show Lizzy, like one of it was I'm trying to think is a crown from some I can't think of which show now.   [00:21:44.530] - Kim Tate And it was on loan somewhere. And then another piece that was in the Harry Potter memorabilia was on loan and they had put something else instead. And we're like, oh, man. You know, I was just kind of funny how sometimes the rotate to you, so but they have a few like inset places and of course, Nirvanas huge there. And that's a big part that people a lot of people do pilgrimages to Seattle to do the whole nirvana and grunge movement thing.   [00:22:13.690] - Kim Tate So that's a big part of it there. Sound lab, which they normally have, which our kids love, and it's very hands on thing that is still closed. So they don't have the sound lab open. But the Heroes and Villains exhibit with Disney was amazing. It was so neat, especially because I like Disney and just the costuming. It makes you realize how much costumes make characters really stand out. And I think it's just it's really cool to see that.   [00:22:42.260] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, those are really neat, especially for like fantasy kind of shows like that, like where you said it's it is so much about the costume. Like I'm thinking of you and I were in Belfast and we went to the Game of Thrones exhibit all the you know, the different costumes for them.   [00:22:58.000] - Kim Tate Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And the Belfast one was cute or cool with the Game of Thrones because they had a lot of the accessories and props as well. This one didn't have as much like the props. It was definitely the costumes. So but anyway, so that was kind of cool. And then, like I said, our last day we went to Woodland Park Zoo, which is kind of just normal zoo. They do have a baby gorilla, which was born in January and it still looks so small.   [00:23:25.540] - Kim Tate And we were seen and the mom was just holding it. And it was funny just the way seeing her hold it and just the way she would like pat his head, like just, you know, and this kind of maternal way. It was so sweet. And yeah.   [00:23:39.670] - Tamara Gruber So I remember seeing your story about that and just how cute and sweet it is.   [00:23:43.990] - Kim Tate It's so adorable. Yeah. Yeah. So that was kind of our little Seattle staycation. It was great. There was just you know, it was I really do think that when you're going to do the traditional tourist things and even being locals, we still like to do some of these tourist things. The CityPASS really is a great way to do it, and especially if I think I did the math and basically you have to do three things.   [00:24:07.350] - Kim Tate You can do four and already save money. And then, of course, you get an extra bonus item as well. So if you're if you're planning to visit for it depends on how the math works. But most of it is if you're planning to do four of the things, then yes, makes a lot of sense.   [00:24:22.020] - Tamara Gruber And I like the way, you know, in Seattle, they're so clustered able to do like if you could get the timed entry tickets. And, you know, when this science center opens, like, you know, the way then the Space Needle and the Chihuly and the Science Center, it's like you can just so easily walk to all the three.   [00:24:38.040] - Kim Tate All those. Yeah. Same at the Science Center. It's right there as well. So. Yeah. Yeah. And then the crew. Yeah, yeah. It's all together. And then the Argosy Cruises is down by the aquarium, so that's very easy to get in the right place anyway.   [00:24:50.790] - Tamara Gruber So it's exciting to be there. So it's like you can really fit it into a weekend or definitely a three day weekend, but even a two day weekend because sometimes you feel like I'm never going to be able to fit all this in if I'm just visiting for a weekend. But I think. Yeah, yeah, CityPASS is great. And like, not only I mean, it may not be the case now, but there are some times when you can skip the line to you.   [00:25:12.570] - Tamara Gruber And I did that in New York when I went to the Empire State Building. And that saves you I mean, I could save you a couple of hours sometimes.   [00:25:19.590] - Kim Tate I agree. Yeah. It can be really useful to be able to do that. I didn't have that at the Space Needle. They used to a long time ago. So I don't know if they'll ever bring that back. But it's not a not a thing they're right now. But yeah, when you can skip the line, they normally promote or publish that. And that's very helpful. Yeah. So, yeah, that's right. I agree. Yeah, it was good.   [00:25:40.590] - Kim Tate And I think a weekend, it works for a weekend. It depends how busy you want to be because if you want to it's definitely that. But we're going to be doing attractions all weekend long and not having a lot of downtime when you get you eat and just kind of wander between the two things. So we'll see how long the advance reservations last. And that just requires a little bit of advance planning. But like I said, we were able to get reservations.   [00:26:02.670] - Kim Tate No problem. I booked, I believe, the day before. So like I said, the aquarium was the hardest one. That one was one where it would have made more sense to book it a week out and book that one first. So just a heads up on that. But yeah.   [00:26:15.450] So from that, we just got home from Vail, which was very different. But I'm excited to share all about that trip. And we so from Seattle, we flew into Denver and then we took the epic Mountain Express shuttle from Denver to Vail.   [00:26:33.030] - Kim Tate And we've taken a shuttle system like that to Keystone as well before. And so all those from Denver to all of those kind of mountain resorts, it's about a two to two and a half hour trip. But traffic is definitely the the asterisk on that.   [00:26:50.340] - Tamara Gruber Yes.   [00:26:50.880] - Kim Tate Yeah, yeah. I mean, you've been in the area, too, but Denver traffic can really throw a kink into things. There's construction a lot of times, especially with the summer and then just a lot of people coming in and out of Denver in all directions to go to the suburbs. And so that's just something to keep in mind, is that traffic can be an issue. Hopefully it's not, especially in the summer. It's less of an issue in the winter.   [00:27:14.400] - Kim Tate Sometimes there's avalanches or, you know, roads are closed down for a few hours. And so that can be an issue. But it is standard. I've done like I said, we've done it twice and both times it's been about two to two and a half hours. And they do allow they have us a middle midway spot that they will actually say, does anybody need to use the restroom or get something to drink? And they have like it's kind of funny because it's a privately owned store and Starbucks that's actually owned by the by Epic Ski, you know, Vail Resorts that does the epic.   [00:27:46.800] - Kim Tate So it's kind of funny. So they they stop there and they have, you know, front curb parking for the shuttles and you can go in and go to the restroom. And then of course, seems like all all of us bought Starbucks as well. So it's a smart little a very contained system. You get all the.   [00:28:05.600] - Kim Tate Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah, they've got it figured out. So anyways, that's but that's good. So we headed to Vail and we actually stayed at this condo resort type community called Manor Vail. And it is just I want to say east, but I don't know my map perfectly for Vail. So it could be us, but it's just about ten minutes walking distance like outside of Vail Village, but really connected availability, if that makes sense to you just kind of wandering in to get to the main center.   [00:28:34.620] - Kim Tate It might not even be ten minutes, but about ten minutes would be the safe thing to say. So we walked. So you have so many different accommodations, things. So, you know, always going to be like directly in the village.   [00:28:47.730] - Tamara Gruber But I mean, I remember when we a couple of summers ago stayed in Copper Mountain and we were right in the village. There's downsides to that, too, because like the music playing and stuff like that. So it's sometimes it's not too bad to have, like, a little bit of a walk.   [00:29:00.450] - Kim Tate Yeah, we actually really liked it and there is a free metro shuttle system and we chose to walk because it was not bad. We did get rained on once and we just dealt with it. The girls were give me a hard time. They're like, we're from Seattle, Mom, like, chill out, it's fine. And I was like, don't you want to take the bus? But yeah. So it was it was great.   [00:29:22.080] - Kim Tate And so they do have a bus that, you know, operates regularly, like every I think they say like five, eight minutes, you know, a bus is coming around and takes you and then so on. The other end is Lionhead, which is where another one of the big gondolas is and between where we stayed in Manor Vail and Lion's Head is about one mile, but it's about a 30 minute walk just because of curves and in and out of streets.   [00:29:42.750] - Kim Tate And we did that walk, we know one day and it is a little longer, but it's totally doable. And so I you know, we really liked it. We fell in love with Vale Village. It was it was so nice. And just what you expect of those kind of, you know, European folsky villages, it was just nice. And I think that's a hidden those are hidden destinations in the summer, although it's certainly definitely it certainly seemed busy.   [00:30:06.680] - Kim Tate I'll say that, you know, which is great to see.   [00:30:09.480] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. I mean, I've only experienced it a little bit, but I really love mountain resorts in the summer and I have not been Vail. But when I whenever I see anyone's pictures, it just looks like a little Swiss town. And I'm like, oh yeah. It just it looks so cute. And I just I would love to do this today. It's just so it's just nice to be, you know, in the mountains because they have so many activities like those those resorts are so good about, you know, like you don't have to leave that resort.   [00:30:35.040] - Tamara Gruber There's so much to do. Right.   [00:30:36.840] - Kim Tate Right. Well, it's so nice to be able I mean, there's so much to eat. I just there's so much. And so we're we're out Manor Vail. It's actually right next to this Betty Ford Alpine Gardens area and park. And so we had this beautiful view of the water and people were, you know, go over there and they sometimes have little festivals and there's an amphitheater over there. And it's just really neat. And like you said, there's just there's stuff to do.   [00:31:00.930] - Kim Tate And even if, you know, like in the center of town, there's this big Solaris, which is a kind of luxury condo, I think, resort. And they have a big space. They have like the lower level are all restaurants and shops. And then upper levels are the rooms. And on the lower level, they have this place called Bowl, which is an indoor bowling alley. And then outside they have cornhole in kind of an open green space that kids were playing soccer while we were playing cornhole.   [00:31:26.580] - Kim Tate And there's just they can sell you drinks and there is seating and you can just hang out and chat. And so it's a really it's kind of one of those villages where you could easily just go find a place to people watch and sit and drink and eat and chat. And so I think it's a really good social town, if that makes sense, like it's a good place to go, be social as a family or with friends for sure. Yeah.   [00:31:48.840] - Kim Tate So yeah, our first so we flew in and the first day we arrived we just took it easy and we had dinner at our, you know, after a long travel day, we just had dinner at our hotel which they have like a little restaurant there. And then the next day we got up to go horseback riding. And one thing is, Lizzy, she got up and she was going to go. She was like, oh, I'm not feeling good.   [00:32:08.910] - Kim Tate And it took her a while to get out of the room. We were a little late because we were just buying her. We bought her some oxygen shot and she got there and there was a booking issue. They only had two of us and they were going to add a third. But she's like, you know, honestly, I don't feel good anyways. And we didn't want her to, like, pass out on top of her horse or be uncomfortable.   [00:32:27.810] - Kim Tate Yeah. So the we had gotten, you know, driven there by the hotel. And so they we called and they were going to come back and get her and take her back to the room. And we told her just to drink lots of water, eat food, rest, take some of the more of the oxygen shot. And then so me and I went on the horseback ride and I was we made the right choice because we actually went up quite a bit like took a bit of an elevation because we wanted to out to our to her, to our to her anyways, changing ours there, but headed up the mountain.   [00:32:56.790] - Kim Tate And it was just beautiful. It's nice to go horseback riding. We did it through Vail Stables, which was right across from where we were staying at at Manor Vail. So it was an easy, really easy get to thankfully they drove us. It's oh, it's across the main interstate. So you can't, like, walk there and it's quite up the hill a little. So but it was it was fun. We had our little horseback ride and it was the nice thing.   [00:33:20.550] - Kim Tate Like one of the one of the parts was they called it magical forest and it was where it was a really narrow path. And of course, it was a trail ride. So single single-file line, but it was just through these aspen trees and just the green and the white bark of the aspen trees and just like little birds chirping. And we actually heard they were like, that's a moment that was talking, you know, like to make these funny noises.   [00:33:44.280] - Kim Tate And so it was just it was really nice. It's a great way to kind of get that mountain, you know, Aspen feel. And then, of course, we got on a couple little meadow outlooks where you could look down and see Vail Village in the distance. So that was pretty cool. But yeah. So we did that. Yeah, and then once we came back and got to the room, Lizzy was feeling much better and was ready to go out to lunch.   [00:34:05.810] - Kim Tate And so thankfully, she had adjusted with the rest and water and oxygen. We had gone into the village and did a little bit of shopping, like souvenir shopping for some sweatshirts and just getting a feel for the village a little. And then we went back to our room and we were thinking about going swimming, but it looked like there was rain moving in. So we decided to just that we wouldn't do that. And then we ended up going to dinner that night at a really famous place in the village called Alpen Rose, which when you're talking about like Suess, this is total Bavarian, I think, a little restaurant in the heart of the village.   [00:34:42.410] - Kim Tate And it was so perfect. It's kind of one of those things where, you know, we had a busy day and then there was some rain and we just were looking for a good evening meal. And this place was just amazing. It's a very it's I wouldn't call it very limited menu, but it's a small menu because what they do, they do really well. If that makes sense and they put us in this front little it's kind of a house is what it feels like, maybe like a chalet, because it's kind of open, like not tons of little rooms, but the lower floor definitely felt kind of like a house.   [00:35:15.020] - Kim Tate And they put us at the front, a front window bench seating table, which was just so cute. And you could totally they have an outdoor patio as well. And it was just amazing. We loved it. And it was kind of one of those things we had. We all three of us got hot chocolates which were served in these kind of enamel mugs that just looked really cute with the whipped cream. It was just it felt like we were like you said, it felt like we were at a European ski village and just enjoying some great pasta, Mia got salmon, and it was it was awesome.   [00:35:49.670] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. I was going to ask if you had, like, schnitzel or something like that because it seemed like it would the kind of place.   [00:35:54.390] - Kim Tate That's exactly. They had it on the menu. There is schnitzel on the menu. But yeah, we were we realized we got a few because there was a big pretzel. I don't know if you saw the picture that, you know, they had a massive pretzel. And then we also got this. I can't even think of the name of it, but there is kind of like fried potato bites of sorts. And we got so full we realized that Lizzy and I should have just shared because we both ordered the pasta carbonara, which featured grandma's pasta, which was like fresh made pasta.   [00:36:23.930] - Kim Tate And we realized we should just shared it because after the appetizers and, you know, the hot chocolate and everything, we we both didn't finish our our plates of pasta.   [00:36:32.240] - Tamara Gruber I feel like there's always so many times when Hannah and I are traveling and we're like, when are we going to learn that we need to just share?   [00:36:37.730] - Kim Tate Yeah, I think you should we should know that, like when you order appetizers, but you order the appetizer and then you're like, OK, well, what are you going to order for your main dish? Then you just kind of forget that there's going to be this other food that's about ready to arrive, right?   [00:36:49.160] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. And, you know, sometimes menus are exciting and you're like, well, that sounds good. And that sounds good.   [00:36:54.920] - Kim Tate Yeah, exactly. So, yeah, we that was our we ended our day on that one and the next day we like I said, we walked over to Lion's Head, which is such a fun walk. I mean it really is like I said, and I don't know how to say this enough, but part of the appeal was just wandering and kind of going into shops. And there's so many little patio seating areas where you could just go, OK, let's go get a drink here.   [00:37:17.060] - Kim Tate We'll have an appetizer here. I think it would be really fun to do that is where you just kind of visit one place and get something here and then go to another place, get another drink and eat something there and just kind of wander around, I think would be a real fun way to enjoy that village. So we wandered and walked over to Lion's Head and we ended up going up the Eagle Bahn Gondola because we were headed up to the top of the mountain to be able to go on there.   [00:37:41.840] - Kim Tate They have it's called Epic Discovery, and it's basically kind of like an adventure park at the top, OK? And they've got, you know, zip lines and ropes courses and a big giant lawn slide. And they've got this little roller coaster, mountain coaster thing. And then they also had little kids. They've got like kids bouncy like trampolines, and they got a kid zip line. And then they have like a rock climbing wall and a kid's lawn slide as well.   [00:38:06.170] - Kim Tate So it works well, like there's some little kid things as well. And we were there and then lightning moved in in the area. And so they had to shut everything down. So they shut the gondola down. So we did a couple of passes on the slide. And then unfortunately, we weren't able to do any more of the activities. And we actually kind of just waited up there. They had a food place, so we grabbed some food.   [00:38:26.090] - Kim Tate I'll be honest that the food was extremely pricey at the top of the mountain. So once they it's kind of like once they have you there, they know you don't have an option.   [00:38:36.800] - Kim Tate So we did get some we got some fries and some drinks because we weren't sure how long we'd be waiting. And then we they opened back the gondola and we thought, well, instead of waiting on the line, we'll go wait and hope that they open the coaster back. They opened both gondolas, but they didn't open the epic discovery things and the zip lines and the ropes courses were both already closed for the summer, I don't know if they're going to do a renovation, but to me it looked like it was probably just staffing because those things, I think, require a lot of staff for getting in and out at a higher level of training, probably also just for insurance and security. So those were not open. And so we went back down the gondola and just kind of again explored the village a little bit and hung out. We got lunch and then we headed back to our room to get ready because we were doing something really cool, which was called Picnic Vail, which like I said, remember how I said Manor Vail is right next to the Betty Ford Gardens.   [00:39:36.060] - Kim Tate Actually it's this company. I think it's a lady like she started up this business called Picnic Vail. And she basically comes and sets up a little one of those outdoor picnic, the charming outdoor picnics for you outdoors. And she found for us because she was like, well, we don't know if it's going to sprinkle again because it had rain. Like we said, that we got stranded up on the mountain because rain and we got back down.   [00:39:58.020] - Kim Tate It wasn't raining anymore. So we went over to the gardens and it was sunny and gorgeous. And she had set us up in this little picnic underneath the bow of an evergreen tree, like it was kind of open and it was so cute. She had a table set up and it was just like this gorgeous charcuterie board. And then we had water. And then she also had a table of games, which was really fun.   [00:40:19.530] - Kim Tate I didn't realize that would be part of it. So when we were thinking, I was like, oh, it's probably going to be about an hour, you know, just eat and chat and then we'll go. But we got there and she had, like, ladder ball set up, you know, the little ladder ball we have. Those are fun. Yeah. And so we had ladder ball and then there was also like this conversation starters.   [00:40:37.590] - Kim Tate It's the, you know, that Scandinavian word for like cozy home. h y y g y e.   [00:40:46.990] - Tamara Gruber Yeah.   [00:40:47.460] - Kim Tate Anyways that was like a conversation starter game and we had a lot of fun doing that. We kept just passing around the cards and we draw and ask questions for the other people and it was just fun. It was a great conversation thing and and then yeah. Ladder ball and there was something else. I'm blanking out what it was, but we had just a great time. We really enjoyed it. So and again, she was able to make sure that there was no nuts or eggs on the board.   [00:41:11.490] - Kim Tate So that worked out well as well and really good with that.   [00:41:15.810] - Tamara Gruber So that was a nice change from being just always restaurants to have something like that. And when I saw pictures of you doing like a lot of guys assume that that was like where the cornhole was and like other games, like in the village.   [00:41:27.840] - Kim Tate So that's, you know, yeah, it was our own private little experience, you know. So it was great. It was I mean, it was fun. The funny thing was they were also doing a festival of sorts.   [00:41:39.900] - Kim Tate It looked really small. It wasn't massive, but they had live music. So we had heard the live music the night before. And then when that happened on that was Friday night, they had live music again. So she was like, I didn't realize you'd get live music with your, you know, with your picnic. So we sat there. Is this kind of funny because the festival is like right there and we get to hear the live music while we enjoy things.   [00:42:00.870] - Kim Tate So it was great. It was a fun little experience. And and the nice thing is she you know, she leaves like her name and her phone number. So you get two hours and then she's like, if you want to leave early or just give her, you know, 20 to 30 minute heads up because she cleans everything up for you. And the food, of course, since it's in a park, she doesn't want there to be attract animals.   [00:42:20.850] - Tamara Gruber So, yeah, that's really neat, because when I saw it again, I just assumed that, like, you picked up a picnic from a place that does picnics, but you picked up a picnic and there they are and they included games. But I didn't realize, like, they set it up for you. They set it up for you. Is you like. That's exactly it was it was a nice service. Yeah.   [00:42:37.590] - Kim Tate Yeah, it was great. Yeah. You do nothing. So and there was even take home containers. She's like, oh there's containers if you want to take home any leftovers. And we're like, well we've been eating well and we leave tomorrow so there's no time for us to eat it. So thank you though. But yeah, you, you don't have to do any of the cleanup. She acts like there's a bag there for garbage if you do open stuff, wrap garbage and things.   [00:42:57.210] - Kim Tate But yeah, it's all done for you. And that was what was so nice. And I think for families it's it would be so nice for moms. I mean, it was so nice for me to just show up and the kids fix their own food and all of that. And then we had games that they played and we're having fun with. And then I just called her and I'm like, OK, we're ready to wrap up. And then she showed back up and it was I mean, and you don't have to do that.   [00:43:19.200] - Kim Tate If you go the two hours, which we could have, it was just the girls were getting a little tired. So I was like, go ahead. You know, we just did fifteen minutes earlier. So we said, you know, meet us at some fifteen and yeah, it was just awesome. So I think it was it was cool. Like I tried to start folding the blanket because we as she left to really cozy blankets as well in case it got chilly and I had pulled one out and she's like, don't, don't do that.   [00:43:41.340] - Kim Tate Stop being a mom. I get it. I clean up everything.   [00:43:43.800] - Kim Tate You know, it was awesome. So I think for for being on vacation, it was a really fun way to, you know, just relax. And it was unique for the girls as well. So they were engaged more on playing and, you know, just kind of the game, you know, varied the games. She had like four different games. There, so you definitely have enough where kids get bored with one thing, you can move to something else.   [00:44:04.780] - Kim Tate So it was great.   [00:44:05.550] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, and you're not like waiting for the server to come over to order and then waiting for your food. And then we had another check and all that kind of stuff. So.   [00:44:13.650] - Kim Tate Yeah, exactly.   [00:44:14.760] - Tamara Gruber Yes. Sounds like a great getaway. Now I'm like, OK, Colorado next year.   [00:44:19.500] - Kim Tate Yes, I loved it. I you know, the girls were saying, like, because I asked them, I say, what is this some place you would want to come back to? You know, what did you think? And they were like, yes, they absolutely loved it. And like I said, the Vail Village was really cool. I definitely I would give I mean, I think it depends on what you're looking for. But I did notice, you know, we arrived Wednesday and even like coming in and seeing what we saw Wednesday and then Thursday, the difference between Friday and then when we left on Saturday is quite remarkable.   [00:44:47.880] - Kim Tate So it definitely, I think, attracts weekend visitors. And so if you can visit during the weekday, you might have more of a a little more laid back. But then again, if you're looking for like the live music and a lot of the if you like that vibe of the socialization and stuff, the weekends are great for that. So that's just something to keep in mind.   [00:45:08.610] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, no surprise, I guess. But I think the other thing is, like you mentioned, just kind of planning for that traffic and stuff, right?   [00:45:16.740] - Kim Tate Yeah. Yeah, that's true. And I asked them, I said, is it tied to like rush hour, like you should get into the airport during a certain time and not during, you know? And they said, well, that's some of it. But a lot of it, they said, is just the construction. You can't always be sure. But like our return trip, he said, like, he brought us some wide way instead of going, like closer to the city.   [00:45:38.130] - Kim Tate He took a different route because he said, you know, he was looking at traffic and he's like, oh, you know, 70s really bad. So we're going to do 70. What? I don't remember it. It was so just something to keep in mind that you can probably ask if you are getting a shuttle. And they do know kind of the if you're not renting a car, the shuttle people kind of know the tricks to try and avoid some of it.   [00:45:59.310] - Kim Tate So but definitely I would think you just try and avoid that standard rush hour ideas of, you know, into the city and out of the city, I'm guessing.   [00:46:07.200] - Tamara Gruber And was your shuttle like one of the big charter busses or more of like a sprinter and yet more sprinter than the first one? When we arrived, we were the only ones. So I don't know how this. Yeah. So I don't know how they time the I don't know how they manage the pickups. Like, I don't know if we just got lucky randomly. I don't think they booked it as a private, you know, private experience. So but on the way home there were two other, we were the third and we're the last pick up.   [00:46:36.690] - Kim Tate And but thankfully there was a nice couple on because Mia and I both have motion sickness issues and they were sitting in the front and I was like, oh, I didn't even realize because we were the only ones on the way there. I hadn't realized it wasn't going to be a private thing. And so I asked the driver and he's like, well, you should have made a request for, you know, that you needed to sit in the front.   [00:46:53.970] - Kim Tate And he's like, we have this one front seat. And the next would be right next to the two people for two hour trip because it was like a three seat, like the front seat, three seats. Does that make sense? And so I just spoke up and asked the couple. I was like, you know, do you guys need to sit in the front by any chance? I was like, my daughter has bad motions. And they were like, oh, no problem.   [00:47:12.840] - Kim Tate And they move back one. So thank goodness it wasn't an issue.   [00:47:15.870] - Tamara Gruber That's good, because the one time that I took one of those shuttles, I thought we were all set because they picked us up and like the village where where we were and we were like the first ones on. So we sat right in the front. And then it's like and now we're going over here where you're getting on like the real shuttle, you know? And so they brought us to another meeting place and then we were the last ones. And so we were literally like against the back wall.   [00:47:40.140] - Tamara Gruber And and we were jammed in, like the whole thing was full. And we're Hannah and I were just we felt terrible the whole time.   [00:47:46.170] - Kim Tate Yeah. I have a feeling that it you know, you could get the bad luck of the draw and be could get sixteen passengers, I'm thinking. But we didn't have that experience. So that wasn't one of the big, big ones. It definitely was a sprinter van, but still it's for sprinter. So you know, and didn't think about the option of is always renting a car but yeah. You don't really need it when you're there say probably especially these days when you're paying so much for cars.   [00:48:13.230] - Kim Tate And can I just mention, like, the whole car rental thing, because I know we've talked about it off and on like one hand and I just flew to California, we waited in line to pick up our rental car because there was remember how we've talked about how, like, you know, if you're Emerald Club or whatever, like you, you don't have to you can, like, bypass the line. There was no there was no bypass.   [00:48:31.290] - Tamara Gruber It was like the desks were closed and it was like go to the garage. And then there's just like one line in front of, like a little not even a kiosk, but like a podium in the garage. And there was shows they were so short staffed. So it's again, it's another thing we're like a lot of people got laid off and it's taken a while to like hire people back and train them up and everything. And so we waited in that line for definitely over an hour.   [00:48:53.850] - Tamara Gruber And I talked to a friend of mine that rented a car in Savannah. She flew down, I think it was either Savannah or Charleston. And she waited in line for over two hours. Oh, my goodness, to pick up the car.   [00:49:05.160] - Kim Tate That's horrible. Yeah, that's what I'm hearing. So just something to build in your stomach. Exactly. Yeah. Is be prepared for that.   [00:49:13.170] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, I, I'm really glad I decided to drive from like San Francisco to L.A., L.A. to California to Arizona, renting a car each time.   [00:49:22.140] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Originally I was thinking, oh I'll just fly, fly. But I'm like, oh it's going to be such a pain. And what if they don't have car, you know, like just I want to deal with all the hassles. And then I was so relieved.   [00:49:31.320] - Kim Tate Yeah, that's good. Yeah, that sounds dreadful. I'm you know, I'm wondering what we'll have because that was one of the reasons I was looking forward to our our rental was oh it's you know, I don't know if we're alema inside or whichever one it is. And you can get the skip the line if you do the advance check. And so be interesting to see at LAX if they have it staffed that way better, I don't know.   [00:49:53.860] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, yeah. I mean it's hopefully better, but everything you know kind of has this.   [00:49:59.520] - Kim Tate Yeah. Well we've seen what's happening also with flights and everything. I know one of our mutual friends, Leslie, she's stuck in Connecticut for an extra two days because Southwest just canceled a bunch of flights, including the one they were supposed to be on south of the flight on me like I was before the flight. And I spent my entire tour of University of Arizona walking around in like 110 degree heat, trying to figure out how I was going to get from Arizona to Houston in that afternoon.   [00:50:27.750] - Kim Tate So, yeah, super stressful, like it's in Southwest has been doing this a lot.   [00:50:32.580] - Kim Tate I think this is definitely a summer where everyone the demand is just higher than what the capacity the work capacity is right now. So if you do not already have vacation plans, I would definitely recommend a road trip, you know, near you in your own car.   [00:50:49.860] - Tamara Gruber Well, it's funny. I read an article recently that American was having people volunteer to work in the in the airport. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, who wants to do that? You know, like to be the one that's maybe like getting yelled at or something. But I think they're more like directing people to different places. But yeah, they're like asking office workers to come volunteer to work for jobs and like, that's that's a that's a huge ask.   [00:51:16.140] - Tamara Gruber Like, why are you not paying that? They're not. I don't know. I understand. Like, I know. And they got bailed out. So it's like they don't have the funds. Yeah. And then I've also seen and hear I've heard a lot of people complaining about cleanliness in hotel rooms. I don't know what your experience has been, but they're saying that, you know, everyone's saying they're up to the standar

Atlas Ocean Voyages is kicking off summer 2021 by offering one of the first cruises back to Egypt and Greece. Guests can experience Giza Under the Stars, a special celebration including a 3-course Egyptian Dinner with the pyramids of Giza illuminated just for Atlas and more, part of an optional land program for their maiden voyage.AtlasOceanVoyages.com

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Brandon Townsley, vice president-sales and trade partnerships for Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxe-expedition cruise line's plans for the first L'Occitane spa onboard the new World Navigator. Townsley also reveals new details about the unique itineraries and excursions that the ship will feature when it makes its debut this summer, as well as why travel advisors will find Atlas Ocean so easy to work with. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com. Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

Alberto Aliberti, president of Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this new luxe-adventure cruise line, which is on schedule for a July 2021 launch. World Navigator just floated out from its shipyard in Portugal and the keel has been laid for sister ship World Traveller. Aliberti reveals the itineraries that World Navigator will sail on in its first year, the included multi-day Max Shore excursions, and details of all the unique inclusions offered by the line. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com.  Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

In this captivating episode, we set sail with Atlas Ocean Voyages, embarking on a thrilling voyage across vast oceans. Join us as we delve into the world of luxury expedition cruising and discover the unique experiences Atlas Ocean Voyages offers. CONNECT WITH USTamoy Thelwell: tamoy@goluxurycruiser.comMarc Armbruster: marc@goluxurycruiser.comPhone: 1-888-404-5531Website: www.goluxurycruiser.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/goluxurycruiserInstagram: www.instagram.com/goluxurycruiser