Poland
Florence Wan
A Trek Through Poland

What did I expect from Poland? I’m not sure; I was just excited to go somewhere new and unexpected. What I brought home from Poland were stories of her extended history, images of her glories and pain, glimpses of her future. We easily could have spent several additional days in each city. With even more time we could have made side trips to Poland’s smaller cities, to the countryside, or to the Tatra Mountains. There was so much to see and learn that I had trouble deciding what to write about for this blog. Picturesque. Modern. Medieval. Poignant. Political. Pragmatic. This old, yet new, country left a deep impression. This newbie to Poland is now hoping to return to discover more about this resilient country.

A Trek Through Poland
UnCruise Adventures
Chris Barber
How to “UnCruise” In Hawaii

We recently had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to travel with UnCruise Adventures, the small-ship expedition cruise line based out of Seattle, Washington. It was truly an all-encompassing way to see Hawaii and unlike any other cruise line we’ve traveled on before.

How to “UnCruise” In Hawaii
Jack & Sherri Barber
A Wild Bucket List Journey

It’s always been a dream of ours to experience Machu Picchu and combine it with a visit to the Galapagos.  Recently, this dream came to fruition. Sherri and I just returned from a two-week journey to Peru and Ecuador to visit these magical destinations.  Some say it is the “journey” that counts, in our case, it is all about the destination!

A Wild Bucket List Journey
Chris Barber
The Norwegian Bliss: Indulgence at Sea

Last month, Cruises & Beyond had the priviledge to attend an inaugural preview of the Norwegian Bliss. NCL gave travel agents and consultants alike an opportunity to experience their newest ship shortly before her first sailing to Alaska amidst a two night foray into international waters from Los Angeles. With such little time, it was nearly impossible to check out every corner of the ship, but we saw enough to give you our initial impressions of this unique vessel. 

The Norwegian Bliss: Indulgence at Sea
Crystal Cruises
Chris Barber
The Excellence That Is Crystal

There’s a reason why we like to sell Crystal Cruises to our clients. That’s because we strongly believe Crystal is the top luxury cruise line of them all. You’ll pay a premium to sail on one of their ships, but that’s what helps make Crystal’s all-inclusive splendor happen. From 5-star culinary experiences to the unmatched personal service provided by all staff members aboard their ships, Crystal offers the best there can possibly be. It goes without saying that we love Crystal and our clients do too.   

The Excellence That Is Crystal

Wanderlust

Discovering Moorish Spain with G Adventures

Discovering Moorish Spain with G Adventures

What does it take to get a dedicated independent traveler to join an organized group tour? I have avoided organized tours after a mediocre Chinese-speaking tour of the US East Coast that my parents put me and brothers through; that tour was obviously not a good fit for us English-speaking teenagers. While assisting our clients with their travel plans, I have been on the lookout for tours that would be a better fit for my own travel. Could I find a tour company whose philosophy and touring style would entice me reconsider my reluctance of joining a group tour?

A Three Step Hop from Hoi An to Hanoi, Part Two

A Three Step Hop from Hoi An to Hanoi, Part Two

My initial plans for Vietnam only included Hoi An and Hue, to focus on central Vietnam during my short trip.  When booking my flights, I found out I could fly direct from Guangzhou to Da Nang, but no direct flights were offered in the reverse direction.  In order to return to Guangzhou to catch my flight home to SFO, I had to travel either south to Hoi Chi Minh or north to Hanoi from Hue. So that’s how I reluctantly wound up in Hanoi, the large, bustling, crowded capital city.

Regent's Seven Seas Splendor Floated Out

Regent's Seven Seas Splendor Floated Out

The Seven Seas Splendor of Regent Seven Seas has officially entered its final construction phase after being floated out from drydock at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. For the final stage of her development, workers will focus on her interior spaces, which includes 375 luxury suites, lounges and gourmet restaurants. When the Seven Seas Splendor sets sail in February 2020, she will bring about an impressive take on the modern definition of luxury cruising.

$500 Million Fleet Revamp Underway For Celebrity Cruises

$500 Million Fleet Revamp Underway For Celebrity Cruises

On February 9, 2019, Celebrity Cruises began its monumental revamp to its fleet of Millennium and Solstice Class ships. This revamp will bring the entire Celebrity fleet into the design and experiential standard of its new Edge class vessels, with an emphasis on modernization and innovative, outward-facing design that connects you to the sea like never before.

Why You Should Go On A Crystal River Cruise

Why You Should Go On A Crystal River Cruise

When Crystal launched their river cruise arm in 2016 with the introduction of the Crystal Mozart, we wondered whether Crystal would successfully carry over their legendary reputation to this new experience. After a couple of years of pleasing river cruise customers and five new river vessels later, it’s safe to say that Crystal has not only pleased their existing customer base, but has also inserted themselves in the conversation for best river cruise line in a congested river cruise market.

Celebrity Cruises Takes Delivery of Revolutionary Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Cruises Takes Delivery of Revolutionary Celebrity Edge

After more than four years of planning and 23 months of construction, Celebrity Cruises officially took delivery of Celebrity Edge, the cruise ship that promises revolutionary changes to the cruise experience. As part of the delivery, Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s chairman and CEO; and Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity’s president and CEO, hosted a ceremony aboard the ship while it was docked in the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The Enchanting Le Château Frontenac

The Enchanting Le Château Frontenac

The iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac emblazons the Quebec City skyline with august and dignity. It is indeed many a traveler’s romantic fairy tale dream, and how could it not be with its Châteauesque architectural style and mythical presense? The main attraction for those making their way to Quebec City, the Frontenac not only adds immensely to the already historical richness of one of North America’s oldest cities but also to a travelers experience. So if you ever plan a vacation to Canada’s Quebec region, or find that your north eastern cruise embarks or disembarks in Quebec City, the Frontenac is a no-brainer must stay for various reasons.

The Iceland Anomaly

The Iceland Anomaly

“Iceland?  Why Iceland?,” we all asked after my mother announced that she wanted to take us there for our family reunion.  What’s there besides the Northern Lights (which only appear during the winter months) and active volcanos that disrupt air travel?  Somehow all 17 of us, ranging in age from 8 to 80, managed to be available during the same week last summer and agreed to explore this mysterious location together.  Even after doing the research to build our private tour, I was still surprised by what I learned while touring Iceland.

What Travelers Need to Experience in Japan

What Travelers Need to Experience in Japan

This story is from Travel Insider Report.

A country the size of California with a population of 127 million has a phenomenal array of festivals and events happening during the year—and Japan is leveraging those to attract more tourists. As the country gears up to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, thousands of visitors can take advantage of a variety of noteworthy openings and events this summer and fall, including the following:

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