Princess Cruise Lines is known for its refined ships, excellent cuisine, and Broadway style shows. Donna and Sandy were recently aboard the Regal Princess for a short 2 night cruise. Originally the cruise was meant to showcase the new Ocean Medallion technology. Unfortunately it was not quite ready yet, and Princess wants to make sure they get it right before it’s rolled out, so they didn’t get to try that. There were, however, several other things unique to Princess that they experienced, so let’s hear all about it, including Chocolate Journeys, Born to Dance, and…the Love Boat!
Filed under:
Princess Cruises
Between the popularity of Game of Thrones and the rise of affordable international airfare we talked about in Episode 159, Iceland has become a “hot” travel destination. By now, most have seen at least one incredible picture of the country of Fire and Ice. Does it live up to the pictures? Has its popularity diminished its charm too much already? Is it difficult to get to this seemingly remote destination and then around it to see the country’s varied sights and landscapes? In June, our special podcast guest Mike spent a week on an Iceland Ring Road Trip and has some considerations to share with those evaluating their own travel options.
Filed under:
Iceland
Oman is a sultanate located on the Southeastern coast of the Arabian Penninsula. Mostly a gravel desert plain, there are 2 mountain ranges: Al Hajar Mountains in the north and the Qara or Dhofar Mountains along the southeast coast. Oman was once covered by oceans, so there are fossilized plant life in the interior. Besides oil and gas reserves, tourism is one of the main industries. It is a land of rich history dating back over 5000 years. It is still steeped in ancient traditions and heritage and it is a destination that is definitely much overlooked by the traditional traveler. Our special guest Linda just returned from a 10-day vacation to this interesting country and we are so excited to have her here with us tonight to talk about her experience!
There can be no doubt that Air Travel today is far more affordable and accessible than it has ever been. There are so many airlines and price options available now for almost every budget. We all love to save money, especially when it comes to travel. As travel professionals we do have a tendency to look at Domestic discount air travel through a very healthy sense of skepticism. Leary of hidden fees, restrictions, costs or catches buried in the fine print. But what about the latest trend of Discount European air? I’m sure by now you have seen the adds all over your Facebook feed- can you really fly from Boston to Iceland fro $199? With no regrets? Recently Lindsay decided to take one for the team and test out some of the rock bottom pricing offered by WOW & Norwegian Airlines
Filed under:
Airlines
If you are looking for a beach vacation with the perfect mix of relaxation and activities, with friendly locals and romantic resorts, look no further than St. Lucia. Known for it’s lush landscapes and the Piton mountains, this Eastern Caribbean island has something to offer everyone. Sandy recently returned from visiting the 3 Sandals resorts on St. Lucia and she has a lot to tell us!
The Italian Riviera is not short of rugged coastline or romantic towns and villages, but the five fishing communities of the Cinque Terre are its most iconic highlight. The villages are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there’s still a feeling of remote authenticity, with few roads, perfectly preserved architecture and a network of stunning coastal and mountain trails.
Cinque Terre, which means Five Lands in Italian, comprise the five small, coastal villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. These are the types of villages to take in slowly, whether by trail, boat, or train, and all the villages are known for their beauty you’d probably recognize in travel photos and ads. Learn all about these very popular villages. Have you been to the Cinque Terre?
Filed under:
Italy
The French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) is the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France. It includes famously glamorous beach resorts such as Saint-Tropez and Cannes, and the independent microstate of Monaco. A health retreat in the 18th century, the area later attracted aristocrats, artists and the 1960s “jet set.” Today it’s an established holiday destination, with paths connecting many coastal villages and towns. Heidi was recently in Nice, with day trips to Monaco and some perched villages on the Mediterranean, and found it to be a laid-back, easy to navigate region with much to offer travelers. We’re excited to learn about this area!
Filed under:
France,
Riviera
Ghost tourism is its own cottage industry that stretches from coast to coast. From San Diego’s Whaley House, home of the city’s first public gallows, to Pennsylvania’s Eastern State Penitentiary, to the incredibly haunted city of New Orleans, there is no shortage of ghostly tours throughout the year throughout the USA. These tours offer a safe form of danger, a chance to be frightened in a controlled environment run by “hauntrepreneurs” in an industry estimated at $300 million a year. We here at Outlander have participated in a shocking number of these events, so let’s get started discussing the creepy…just in time for Halloween!
Filed under:
Ghosts
OK! So you booked this fantastic long haul trip for over 2 weeks and now the hard part comes. How do I pack for such a long trip without having to take the kitchen sink on your trip? Recently, Lindsey and Heidi both went on extensive trips and had to economize their suitcases by balancing what to bring and how it would fit. Today, we will get some insight on how they did that and what that meant for their comfort levels while traveling.
Filed under:
Luggage,
Packing
