"Overview" Blog Posts

Traveling with Sonia   Several things have happened recently that have made me want to write about how to actually HAVE a vacation. Unfortunately, some of the things making me want to write about this have happened to me. Having a vacation you enjoy requires... Continue reading The Art of the Vacation

Having a current passport is a mandatory piece of identification while traveling abroad, even to destinations like Canada and Mexico who, until recently, didn't require passports for visitor entry. It seems trivial to remind travelers about the importance of making copies of their passports in case... Continue reading Important Information Regarding Lost or Stolen Passports

Nuremberg, December 17, 2009—It would be a shame if Nuremberg was only remembered for its Nazi stadium, Kongresshalle, and the post-war Nazi trials. While acknowledging that one dark chapter in its history, Nuremberg has so much more to offer. Like a rich history of culture, prosperity, and Renaissance... Continue reading Nuremberg, December 17, 2009

Bamberg, December 16, 2009—Tiny Bamberg near the confluence of the Main and Regnitz rivers has been nicknamed Little Rome and Little Venice; like Rome, it was built on seven hills. And like Venice, water plays an integral role with the river running through the village, shops and houses lined... Continue reading Bamberg, December 16, 2009

Wurzburg, December 15, 2009—our luxury River Duchess ship overnighted in delightful Wurzburg. Just when you think the villages in Germany could not get any more picturesque, along comes another picture-postcard-perfect town—like Wurzburg, also called Little Prague. One of the best examples... Continue reading Wurzburg, December 15, 2009

Our River Duchess ship docked along the shores of Wurzburg on the Main River, and saving Wurzburg for later, we boarded a bus for Rothenberg ob der Tauber (the Tauber river being too small for navigation). This is one of the most picturesque towns in all of Germany. Spend a day, spend a week in Rothenberg—the... Continue reading Rothenburg ob der Tauber, December 14, 2009

We are taking a cruise from Manaus Brazil to Fort Lauderdale Florida.  We will enjoy 5 days sailing down the Amazon river aboard the Royal Princess. As a travel agent and I have a concern about the Olympics coming to Rio. Brazil has requirements that will be costing the American... Continue reading Brazil

We are taking a cruise from Manaus to Fort Lauderdale on the Royal Princess. With the Olympics coming to Rio it is a concern of mine as a travel agent is that the public is not aware of procedures necessary for travel to Brazil. Requirements are a yellow fever vaccination and a Visa...both... Continue reading Brazil

A little off the beaten track, the region of Puglia is captivating those who venture towards Italy’s heel. Rolling hills with vineyards, majestic olive groves, and the Adriatic and Ionian Seas welcome visitors. Once you’ve experienced Puglia, you’re destined to return. Touring... Continue reading Puglia - the next Tuscany beckons

From my Palermo hotel, it was a quick 15 min walk or 10 € cab ride to the stazione where I boarded my prompt ‘express’ train to Messina. The three-hour train ride zipped by. I was almost disappointed to arrive in Messina so snappily because that coastal route is really quite charming... Continue reading Training from Palermo to Messina, Sicily and on to Reggio Calabria