Home » Luxury Travel

Tag: Luxury Travel

AmaWaterways – What’s Included In Your Rate!

AmaWaterways is a family owned and operated river cruise line that’s been in business since 2002.

Year in and year out they win countless awards, here are some of the recent awards:

  • Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards for Best River Cruise Line, Best River Cruise Line for Active Cruisers, Best New River Ship
  • Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for Overall River Cruising, Overall Cruise Ship (AmaMagna), Luxury Ship (AmaMagna)
  • Porthole Cruise Readers’ Choice Awards for Best River Ship (AmaLea)
  • Travy Awards for Best Overall River Cruise Line, Best River Cruise Line in Africa/Egypt, Best River Cruise Line in Asia, Best River Cruise Line in Europe.
  • Much much more….
At the Travy Awards 2020. Me with AmaWateways owners Kristin Karst and Rudi Schreiner

AmaWaterways sails in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Egypt.

They offer Wine Themes Cruises, Christmas Cruises (Magical!!!), and they have a Golf Program!

They have a fleet of 22 ship – including the revolutionary new AmaMagna (which is twice the width of a normal river ship).

AmaWaterways falls into the category of ALMOST ALL-INCLUSIVE (Europe):

  • All your meals on board are included
  • Beer & wine is served with lunch and dinner (very generous pours.  No skimping!)
  • Sip & Sail cocktail hour every day offering beer, wine, and spirits
  • Gourmet coffee, teas, bottled water 24 hours a day
  • All land tours included (available to reserve 60-90 days prior to sailing but you can wait to book on board. Not capacity controlled so you will not miss out!)
  • Special Interest Tours included (these are capacity controlled so book them the minute you get on board on your first day)
  • Bikes on board all ships (there are a certain number on board so book ahead of time when you know you’ll want to use them)
  • WiFi included (AmaWaterways knows people want to stay connected and they put a lot of money into WiFi technology)

Not included in your rate:

  • Gratuities
  • Spa services
  • Alcohol drinks outside of beer & wine with lunch & dinner and daily cocktail hour.

If you have any questions about AmaWaterways or anything else, please feel free to call 305-814-8184 or send us a note.

Subscribe to receive travel ideas + travel insights + exclusive offers.

Seabourn Journeys to some Spectacular Destinations

In the old days of cruising, when I say this, I mean in the last decade or so, a cruises ship was the destination.  You booked a cruise for all the activities on board (and the food).  Sometimes, you didn’t even get off the ship at your ports of call.  More and more, people craved something different from their cruise.  Better food and more of an enriching experience.

After all, a ship can access some of the worlds most intriguing and unique ports of call.  But sometimes a day is not enough to experience a destination.  You need more time to explore.

Seabourn has taken this to a new level.

Seabourn is an ultra luxury cruise line that takes you to all 7 continents with top notch service and intimate ships.

They introduced 4 new Seabourn Journeys in 2020 to exceptional destinations in Europe.  These are extensions that you can add to your cruise before or after your voyage.  These are not your ordinary single day excursions from the ship.  They can last from 6 to 13 days.

These journeys enable you to combine exceptional land and sea experiences seamlessly.  They’re kept small, between 2 and 10 guests.  This offers a more intimate and personalized adventure.

There are 14 options and most visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  • UNESCO Banff National Park & The Rocky Mountaineer
  • UNESCO SOUTH AMERICA: RIO, IGUAZU FALLS & BUENOS AIRES
  • UNESCO Splendors Of Peru: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu
  • UNESCO Sydney, The Red Centre & Great Barrier Reef
  • UNESCO Lakeside Gems Of The Swiss Alps
  • UNESCO Treasures Of Tuscany
  • UNESCO Cambodia: Phnom Penh & The Temples Of Angkor
  • UNESCO Treasure Of China: Beijing, Xi’an & Hong Kong
  • UNESCO India’s Golden Triangle: The Taj Mahal & Jaipur
  • UNESCO Imperial Heritage Of Europe
  • South Africa: Cape Town & Kruger Park Safari Lodge
  • South Pole Quest
  • The Denali Experience 2020
  • Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

These are some fantastic pre and post cruise options.  Many cruise lines offer extensions, although not all on this grand level.  Whether you book your extension with the cruise line or set something up on your own, I always recommend adding a couple days before and or after.

If you have any questions, please feel free to write us or call 305-814-8184.

This years top 10 most popular and fastest growing destinations

Virtuoso’s list of this years hottest upscale destination for fall into winter travel.

Top 10 most popular destination for fall 2019 are as follows:
1. United States
2. Italy
3. United Kingdom
4. France
5. South Africa
6. Israel
7. Australia
8. Germany
9. Japan

10. Spain

Interested in something a bit more adventurous or something different?

Here’s a list of the Hot 10 ranking of emerging places with the largest year-over-year percentage increase in fall travel bookings:
1. Uruguay
2. The Maldives
3. Malta
4. Romania
5. Egypt
6. Puerto Rico
7. Rwanda
8. Qatar
9. South Korea

10. Norway

Please feel free to call us at 305-814-8184 with questions.

Destination – Switzerland! Journey by high class rail

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries with it’s shimmering lakes, scenic mountains, medieval villages, and high peaks of the Alps.  With bordering neighbors like France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, Switzerland can often be overlooked.  But it shouldn’t be!

There’s a new itinerary offered by Cox & King, Switzerland & Snow-Capped Alps.  The full itinerary is below.

Highlights of this wonderful itinerary include:

  • High Class rail trip through Switzerland
  • Horse drawn carriage ride in the Val Fex valley
  • Exploring Chillon Castle
  • A medieval fortress on an island in Lake Geneva
  • A private sledding ride crosses alpine meadows and frozen waterfalls ending at a small local restaurant for dinner
  • A chocolate making workshop and tasting traditional fondue
  • Much more!

Switzerland & Snow – Capped Alps

12 DAYS & 11 NIGHTS, PRIVATE JOURNEY 

PRICING FROM: $9,599

Zurich, Sils Maria, Zermatt, Vevey, Interlaken & Lucerne

Enjoy sublime views of mountains and glaciers and take in the local culture as you travel by train through Switzerland on this journey. Begin your journey with a tour of life in Zermatt. Ride into the idyllic Fex Valley on horse-drawn carriage. Rise above 29 peaks on the Gornergrat Railway and revel in the breathtaking views. Learn to make chocolate in the Swiss Alps. In Lucerne, discover hidden valley and town squares. Travel through the country at ease with high class rail.

  • Day 1

    Arrive Zurich

    Welcome to Zurich! This afternoon, meet your private guide and embark on a highlights walking tour of Zurich. During your exploration of old town, you will uncover the secrets of Bahnhofstrasse, find out what a “procession axis” is, and visit a church with a clock that has a minute-hand that jumps a record-breaking half meter every minute.

    Unique Hotel Post

  • Day 2

    Sils-Maria

    Enjoy a scenic first class train ride to St. Moritz. Upon arrival, you will be assisted to your elegant hotel.
    This afternoon, you can choose to book an optional scenic helicopter flight with a culinary stopover, or explore on your own. Spend the night in Sils-Maria.

    Hotel Waldhaus – 2 Nights (B)

  • Day 3

    Sils-Maria

    A trip by horse-drawn carriage into the Val Fex is one of the most romantic experiences far and wide. Enjoy your ride, and then try fondue in the area around the beautiful Fex Valley. Later on relax by taking advantage of the hotel’s spa facilities.

    Hotel Waldhaus (B)

  • Day 4

    Sils-Maria to Zermatt

    After breakfast, meet with your driver who will take you to St. Moritz train station. There, you will board the famous Glacier Express. Enjoy a 3-course meal while taking in the breath-taking sights. Spend the night in your elegant hotel in Zermatt.

    Grand Hotel Zermatterhof – 2 Nights (B, L)

  • Day 5

    Zermatt

    Enjoy a stroll through Zermatt before taking the Gornergrat Railway to an altitude of 10135 above sea level, with a breath-taking mountain panorama overlooking 29 peaks over 4,000m high. This afternoon, take some time to explore Zermatt or relax in the hotel spa.

    Grand Hotel Zermatterhof (B)

  • Day 6

    Zermatt to Vevey

    Take the train from Zermatt to Vevey. Upon arrival, we suggest to either enjoy a private tour of the world famous Charlie Chaplin Museum. Another option is to explore the wine region Laveaux which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Grand Hotel Du Lac – 2 Nights (B)

  • Day 7

    Vevey

    Explore Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress on an island in Lake Geneva. Listed as “Switzerland’s most visited historic monument,” this is a stop you cannot miss on your journey through this beautiful and mountainous country.

    Grand Hotel Du Lac (B)

  • Day 8

    Vevey to Interlaken

    Take the train to Interlaken and enjoy the beautiful snow covered mountain resort which is presided over by the three mighty mountains of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Upon arrival, participate in a Chocolate Workshop, in which you will produce your own masterpiece of 400 g chocolate. After the chocolate workshop, you have the option to book a private sledding night in the Swiss Alps.

    Along the way the trail winds through the woods, crosses alpine meadows and passes majestic frozen waterfalls. The sled run finishes at a small local restaurant where you can enjoy a traditional Swiss cheese fondue dinner.

    Victoria Jungfrau – 2 Nights (B)

  • Day 9

    Interlaken

    Visit Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, on a self-guided tour. Enjoy breath-taking views of the Aletsch Glacier as you travel.

    Victoria Jungfrau (B)

  • Day 10

    Interlaken to Lucerne

    Travel by train over the Brunigpass, towards picturesque Lucerne, on the famous Golden Pass Line. The afternoon is at your leisure, spend it exploring the city, or else enjoying your hotel spa.

    Grand Hotel National – 2 Nights (B)

  • Day 11

    Lucerne

    Lucerne is the gateway of central Switzerland. Situated on Lake Lucerne, it is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Today, enjoy a private walking city tour as well as an excursion to Mount Pilatus. On the tour you will learn important and humorous facts about the history of Lucerne and the everyday life of its residents. You will discover hidden alleys, visit town squares teeming with activity and even catch a glimpse of the city’s “crown,” the Musegg Wall.

    Grand Hotel National (B)

  • Day 12

    Depart

    Travel by train back to Zurich or Geneva for your onward journey or your return flight home.

    (B)

    Interested in more information?  Please feel free to call me at 305-814-8184 or send me a note here!

     

    Sign up to keep updated on happenings with the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection

Seabourn announces two wellness cruises hosted by Dr. Andrew Weil

Seabourn unveils a new wellness cruise for 2019 and 2020 in partnership with physician and best-selling author, Dr. Andrew Weil.

Each journey offers lectures, discussions, classes, and demonstrations led onboard by Dr. Weil and four other experts in integrative medicine as guests can enrich their lives for better mental and physical health.

19-Day Route To Ancient Wellness

Seabourn Ovation
Nov 13 – Dec 2, 2019
Departs : Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Arrives : Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Follow the ancient trading routes from Athens and Mycenae to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, threading Suez to Aqaba on the Red Sea and on to the source of pearls and frankincense in Arabia.

16-Day Wellness In Australia & New Zealand

Seabourn Encore
Feb 21 – Mar 8, 2020
Departs : Auckland, New Zealand
Arrives : Sydney, Australia

Sail from the City of Sails to survey both islands of New Zealand from Tauranga to the Fjordlands. Then sail across to marvelous Melbourne, Geelong and Sydney’s lovely harbor.

“Wellness is a growing phenomenon – and rightly so – as people around the world seek to live better, healthier, and more mindfully for the benefit of their overall wellbeing,” noted Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. “We have had great success with Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil on Seabourn voyages around the world, and we’re excited to follow up our past two wellness cruises with these new opportunities to learn from a group of highly regarded experts.”

There are only 2 family sailings and they will book up quickly!  Call or email us for a quote or if you have questions!

Sign up to keep updated on happenings with the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection