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A luxury train, beautiful scenery, top notch service….these are all the things I think about when I think how can I start this blog about the experience of Rocky Mountaineer.

My journey started in Vancouver, BC. We flew into Vancouver 2 days prior to boarding the train so we could have a full day of experiencing Vancouver.

In Vancouver I realized Vancouver could be a vacation in itself. There’s so much to do. We crammed in as much as possible and I can’t wait to go back.

We had lunch at Granville Island. No one lives on the island and it’s right off the city connected by a bridge. There are a lot of little boutiques and souvenir shops. There’s one hotel in the island called The Granville Hotel with a nice water and city view.
We were obsessed with the Public Market. It was a farmer’s market, food court, bakery, and craft show all under one roof. I could have spent hours wandering through all the booths and admiring all the produce and baked goods.

We spent the afternoon at Capilano Suspension Bridge. I had been to Capilano in 1999 so it was neat seeing how they have added some experiences. The Capilano Suspension Bridge was built in 1889 for workers to use to get across the canyon. It started to become famous where people came on their days off to walk the bridge. By 1910 it become so popular they started to charge admission.
In the last 20 years they have added treetop bridges that are smaller Suspension bridges connecting between trees. I hope you include Capilano on your pre-train itinerary.

It was finally train day. They picked us up from our hotel that was all part of the Rocky Mountaineer package. The train station is about 10 minutes from downtown.
Boarding the train was easy. They have a few out to assist where to go and a man playing the bagpipes. It really added to the excitement.
We were lucky to be in Gold Leaf Service. Let me explain the differences.
Silver –
You have all 1 level. This actually would be a great choice if you’re really tall like over 6’5 since the Gold one is a split car.
You still have great views with the big windows that go up to the ceiling like the Gold always has had.
Meals are all included. You eat your meals at your seat. A tray comes down from the seat back in front of you like an airplane. It’s an oversized tray compared to airline travel. There’s a small outdoor platform to go outside.
Silver has a little more limited menu but it’s still all cooked to order. The drink menu is all the same and included.

Here’s my experience in Gold.
You have assigned seats. The seats are a plush leather. They recline, heat and have a have a leg rest. If you’re traveling with another couple one thing with that is so fun about Gold is your can rotate your seats to face each other and play cards. I loved this option.
There’s an additional staff member than in silver to cater to Gold passengers. They start alcoholic drink service at 10AM with a wide variety of wine, beer, sodas and juices.
We boarded early and they released half the car to go downstairs for breakfast. Those on second seating were served coffee and pastries.
Breakfast was cooked to order. They had a menu with a lot of options and could accommodate food allergies and preferences. Downstairs still has great big windows so you get to enjoy the scenery while eating. I loved the skillet that I ended up ordering both mornings. Everyone with me had different things and it all looked wonderful.
It worked this same way with lunch and we had fun switching up our dining table mates to meet new people.
The Gold car has an extended outdoor area and we spent a lot of time enjoying the fresh air and seeing the scenery go by. The attendants would let us know about things coming up so we could get our cameras ready. They talked to other trains and even told us when they knew some bears were going to be seen. We saw a white bear which the staff said was so rare and it was their first time seeing one.
Our halfway stop was in Kamloops which is a small town. They warned us the hotels in Kamloops are really basic so it was fine. We arrived at the train station and they had motor coaches waiting for us for a quick 5 minute drive over to the hotel. They had our suitcases already in our rooms since they came ahead in a truck. Smart! It made it so easy and had our room keys pre-programmed to pass out. I love little details like this.
Our second day on the train came early but I felt lucky since my body was still on central time zone so getting up early didn’t feel as early as the weather coasters. The scenery just got better and better. The train meals changed and they had little surprises of treats and a wine and cheese before arriving in Banff.
My number 1 trip for this journey is to do west to east if at all possible. It really builds on the beauty of the scenery.

What a gem Banff is. I kept saying how much I loved Banff and couldn’t wait to come back while I was there and hadn’t even left yet. The town of Banff was bustling with all sorts of shops and restaurants. The Fairmont Banff Springs is just up the hill from the town of Banff and such an easy walk but with a idyllic setting in the trees with a stream behind it. There were elk in the grass around the hotel. It really set the scene. There are restaurants, a great lounge, spa and more. I loved the igloo option for a special event. What a picture perfect option for an anniversary dinner or a proposal.

Rocky Mountaineer was founded in 1990. We could tell their employees love what they do. I think this is huge. For nature, scenery and train enthusiasts this trip is a must.
They also have expanded to a USA route from Colorado to Moab, Utah.

Does this vacation sound right up your alley? 2022 is almost sold out and we are booking for 2023. My office would love to help you. Please email me or give us a call.

Experience the nostalgia and elegance of the American Queen Steamboat Company
Luxury River Cruising on American Waters
The authentic paddlewheel boats, the sense of nostalgia, the culturally immersive activities and entertainment, the locally influenced menus-this is what makes the American Queen Steamboat Company truly something special. If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the gems and jewels of America’s rivers and lakes, this is the experience you’ve been looking for!
What sets them apart?
American Queen Steamboat’s all-inclusive, culturally immersive concept and fleet of vessels sets them apart for the seamless experience they provide. They currently have 5 vessels cruising America’s lakes and rivers. While each has it’s own personality, they all share the nostalgic working paddlewheel, beautiful gingerbread details, well-appointed staterooms, and theaters where the culture and history of the river comes alive.

Look at these beautiful vessels! Can you imagine cruising down the Mississippi in this?

What’s included?
American Queen has thought of everything. They want you to have a seamless experience and once you set foot on the boat you don’t need to spend another penny to thoroughly enjoy your vacation. Everything has been taken care of for you! They’ll even deliver your luggage from your hotel room right to your cabin on board.

Every American Queen itinerary includes:

1 night pre-cruise hotel with breakfast
Transportation from the hotel to the vessel on embarkation day with luggage porterage
All meals with a culturally immersive menu with steak and lobster included
Unlimited drinks on board including unlimited wine, spirits, specialty coffee, and soda
Guided tours in each port
Daily entertainment and enrichment with local influences
A fleet of bicycles on board to use in ports
Pilot house tours
Unlimited wifi on board

Meals including unlimited spirits and wine are included.

Daily entertainment including educational opportunities are included.

Every port includes unlimited touring. Upgrade to Premium Excursions for a customized experience.

Well appointed cabins on every ship.

Comfortable and well appointed cabins on every ship.

How should I dress for my cruise?
Leave your formal wear at home! Every American Queen Steamboat itinerary has a country club casual dress code. You can be casual and comfortable while still enjoying a beautiful dinner and after dinner show every evening.
What rivers American Queen sail?
With 35 itineraries on 7 different rivers, there’s a destination for everyone! If you’re interested in blues, gospel, historical homes, the Civil War, or the stories of General Ulysses S. Grant or Mark Twain-there’s a perfect itinerary for you! River itineraries include the Mississippi (both the upper and lower), Snake, Ohio, Illinois, Columbia, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers.
Can I customize my experience?
Every guest should consider customizing their cruise experience through Premium Excursions or pre and post stays called “City Stays”.

Premium Excursions give you an opportunity to immerse yourself more deeply into a specific destination or interest. Examples of Premium Excursions may include a swamp tour, southern plantation tour, golf, cooking experience and more. Book these in advance with your travel agent to ensure your spot on these special opportunities.

Another way to customize your experience is to spend more time before and after the cruise in city of embarkation or debarkation. City Stays include accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities.
Email to start planning your luxury river cruise: Jessica@VincentVacations.com

 

Tahiti: Where to Splurge & Where to Save Money

I recently returned from a trip to Tahiti and this trip was as memorable and relaxing as it was beautiful. For many people, visiting here is on their bucket list, simply because it is unlike any other place in the world. 

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, located in the South Pacific archipelago. It’s divided into two main areas: the larger, northwestern section of Tahiti Nui and the smaller, southeastern portion called Tahiti Iti. In total, the island covers an area of 403 square miles and French is the official language, although you may sometimes hear the Tahitian language being spoken. If you’re traveling from Oklahoma to Tahiti, when you arrive, the time difference will be 5 hours behind what you’re used to.  Tahiti features two inactive volcanoes, sprawling black sand beaches, waterfalls, and rainforests. If you’re looking for a vacation in a warm tropical oasis, Tahiti is a great place to consider visiting. Here are some helpful tips for your trip to Tahiti. 

Tip #1: Take the ferry and don’t be afraid of the bus.

Save: When my husband and I arrived, we took the ferry to Moorea and rode the bus from the ferry to the hotel. This was a huge cost savings, saving us about $600 for two people! The ferries travel every hour and the bus will meet every ferry, so we didn’t even have to arrange it ahead of time. 

Splurge: When we were ready to head home, we splurged on a taxi back to the airport, simply because it is hard to know when the bus is going to come back around. Be sure to call and arrange the taxi service ahead of time, as they don’t have as many on the island as other places might. If you need help with that, the concierge at your hotel is happy to do this for you the night before you’re going to leave.

Tip #2: Pack plenty of snacks and drinks.

Save: Everything is expensive in Tahiti and the surrounding islands so if you’re looking to save some money, pack plenty of snacks and drinks that can last you the duration of your stay. We packed containers of almonds and granola bars and we took advantage of the bottled waters that the hotel provided in our room. The Hilton Moorea provides a minibar with pop, beer, and bottled water, so we decided to empty it every day so it would be restocked fresh daily for us. 
If you plan on drinking alcoholic beverages while you’re there, consider buying liquor at the Duty Free inside of security in the U.S. and pack it with you. They will tell you the exact amounts you can travel with. This will save you a lot of money, because alcohol in French Polynesia is very expensive. For example, cocktails at the resorts can range from $20-$35 and beer is usually $10 or more. In Bora Bora, bottled water was $10, so we took advantage of all of the included breakfast buffets and drank plenty of water and juice at breakfast since it was all included. 

Splurge: There is nothing like fresh, local seafood when you’re visiting Tahiti. During your time there, splurge a few times on some of the local food that the area offers. We had some of the most amazing tuna that we’ve ever tasted and we also enjoyed fresh French pastries and crepes everywhere. Delicious! 

Tip #3: Know the difference between overwater bungalows vs. garden bungalows.

Save: To save money, don’t stay in an overwater bungalow the whole time. Even though they are amazing, you can save money by staying in garden bungalows at the Moorea resorts, which I loved. They were posh, but had a fun camp-feel, kind of like the camp scenes that were featured on the original Parent Trap movie. The price difference between a garden bungalow and an overwater bungalow for a 3-night stay in Moorea could be over $1,000 depending on the time of year you travel, so that is a huge savings.    

Splurge: If you decide to travel to multiple islands, use the money you saved in the garden bungalow and splurge for a panoramic overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. Here, you need the overwater bungalow – the views and direct ladder access to the water is absolutely worth the splurge. 

Tip #4: Eat outside of the resort.

Save: A lot of the restaurants on the island of Moorea will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the restaurant to eat, so you don’t have to pay for a cab. We stayed at a hotel that had a neat local restaurant that we could walk to, and it was in the front yard of a home! There were picnic tables and we were able to chat with a Parisian lady while she cooked. Not only was it charming, but it was delicious and half the price of the hotel food. The service was outstanding compared to some of the more tourist-centered places. In Bora Bora, our resort had designated time that a boat would take you to the mainland where you could eat for less and take time to explore the island. 

Splurge: There is nothing like finding amazing food while you travel to a new spot. You have to have a BBQ lunch on Bora Bora Motu. Where else in the world can you be served champagne and lobster while sitting at a table in the water?  Amazing! 

Tip #5: Know about currency exchanges.

Save: Use the ATM, not a currency exchange booth. The currency exchange booth at the Papeete Airport was 83 XPF – $1 USD. The ATM was 99 XPF – $1 USD. Just be sure to tell your bank in advance that you are traveling so the ATM does not decline the transaction.

Splurge: There will be an ATM fee and it’s worth the splurge. Be sure to get enough cash for the entire trip – ATMs are few and far between and sometimes they’re out of money! 

Tip #6: Take advantage of onsite water sports.

Save: Most of the resorts are going to have onsite water sports. They provide the gear you need, including snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie Cats, and more. Take advantage of these. It’s a great time to try something you never have before. 

Splurge: Splurge on a jet ski tour in Bora Bora. The lagoon is protected by all the outer islands so you can jet ski in calm water with stingrays and black tip reef sharks right below you. If you book a 2-hour tour, you will have time to circle the entire island. Make sure to book it from your hotel, as the resorts are so isolated that a water taxi could be very expensive. 

Your trip here will be filled with unforgettable experiences and you might even fall in love with French Polynesia from the minute you step off the plane!  I’m proud to be a certified Tahiti Specialist and can’t wait for people to experience the beautiful islands of Tahiti! Contact me today to get your trip booked. 

 

Your travel planning just got easier
What is a travel agent and why do I need one?
Utilizing a travel agent may seem as old-fashioned as suitcases without wheels, but rest assured that travel agents are a significant part of the travel industry. Travel agents and consultants provide an invaluable, and often free, service to ensure that your vacation, honeymoon, or destination wedding is the trip of your dreams. If something does go wrong, you have someone to call, text, or email who is in your corner and can contact airlines, resorts, or tour companies on your behalf.
A few things you should know about travel agents:

There is no fee for my services. I work off of commission, just like the online companies you have most likely booked with before. When you book with an online agency, they receive a commission from the hotel or resort. When you book with a local travel agent, we receive the commission instead.
I provide personalized service. During a consultation, I will ask you questions about your travel plans and preferences to help ensure that the resort, tour, or destination matches your travel style and expectations. I know what resorts have nightlife, and what resorts offer a quiet, relaxed vibe. The same goes for different cruise lines and itineraries as well!
Itinerary customization. Want to visit several cities in Italy? I can book all of your hotels and transportation for you AND help you decide how long to stay in each city. Dreaming of a destination wedding? I’d love to help you with that. Taking the kids to Disney and not sure what dining plan you need? Let’s visit and I can help you weed through those decisions.
The lowest prices. I have access to discounts and specials to help you get the lowest price. Find a lower price online? The vendors I work with value travel agents and are wiling to match online pricing if a lower price is found.
Flexible payment options. I can often accept low deposits with final payments due 45-60 days prior to the dates of travel.
Knowledge is power. As a travel professional, I am constantly working to keep my knowledge up to date. I participate in ongoing education and love to learn about new destinations and resorts! Travel agents visit resorts and destinations so that we have first hand knowledge of the places we send our valued clients.

Contact me for a free consultation or quote for your destination wedding or vacation!

The story behind our trip:

We just returned from the adventure of a lifetime to South America with my husband’s side of the family and to say it was epic, is an understatement! My father-in-law had always dreamed of going to the Galapagos Islands, so he approached me with the idea and together we made it a reality.  There are several ways to explore Galapagos, but we decided to use Lindblad Expeditions. Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic to inspire exploration and care for the planet.

Even though the goal was to see the Galapagos Islands, we decided to book Lindblad’s tour, “Wild Peru and Galapagos Escape” a ten-day tour which included both Peru and the Galapagos Islands. We were so excited that in addition to Galapagos, we were able to explore Manchu Picchu, Cusco and The Sacred Valley in Peru. Originally, we put so much emphasis on the Galapagos portion of the trip talking about the animals, etc., that I didn’t spend too much time thinking about what we would see in Peru. I am so glad we added that portion as it was a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget. From the culture, to the scenery, to the amazing hotels we stayed at, we loved our time in Peru.

What makes Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic so great:

When you travel with Lindlbad/National Geographic, you always have a local guide with you. Our guide was fantastic and taught us about the landscape, the culture, and the history. I can’t imagine doing a trip like this without a guide and driver. We were able to maximize our time since everything was taken care of for us. Instead of having to think about where to buy tickets or where to go next, they took care of everything ahead of time and all we had to do was show up and enjoy.

First stop, Cusco!

Nestled in the Peruvian Andes with the elevation over 11,000 feet, Cusco was a highlight of our trip.  Once the capital of the Inca Empire, it is now known for archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.

While in Cusco, we explored the town square, the Cusco Cathedral, and the Santo Domingo Convent. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. Filled with gold and silver artifacts dating back to the 16th century, it is a must see when you visit Cusco. The hotel we stayed at was the Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Considered a historic landmark, Palacio del Inka is a five-century old mansion located in the heart of downtown Cusco.

From Cusco to The Sacred Valley:

The adventure continued as we journeyed the 2 hours from Cusco to The Sacred Valley where we stayed at Tambo Del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa. Tambo Del Inka is one of the best resorts I have ever stayed in! The spa feel throughout is very relaxing and the rooms are the largest hotel rooms I have ever seen! It was a small slice of paradise and I wish I could have stayed longer. The kids loved the pool as it was part indoors and part outdoors. It was fun to swim at night under the stars with the Andes mountains towering above.

The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru’s Andean highlands in the heart of the Inca Empire. While in this region, we visited the Ollantaytambo Sanctuary and Manchu Picchu. It was a day I will remember forever.  Pictures do not do either of these places justice so to see them with our own eyes, was a privilege. To get to Manchu Picchu, we took a first-class train and lived it up in style on our way to Manchu Picchu city. The food and drinks were spot on, and the train car was very luxurious. We relaxed in style as we took in the breathtaking views.

Getting to Manchu Picchu is an adventure in itself!

Once we arrived in Manchu Picchu city, we then transferred to a bus that took us to Manchu Picchu.  The ride was like something out of a movie with no guard rails and stunning views. It really didn’t seem real. I realized really quick that type of bus ride isn’t for me, but I would do it a hundred times over to see Manchu Picchu.

Manchu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World and I can see why. Our guide took us all throughout the grounds and explained all the history and features of the area to us over a three-hour period. The weather was perfect, so we were able to thoroughly enjoy the experience. Sometimes the clouds can come in and block your views but that wasn’t the case for us, and I am so thankful! One of the unexpected highlights were the llamas that roamed free throughout the grounds.

Who can do this?

You might be wondering what age group this type of tour is good for? Our group of 12 ranged in age from 60’s to 9 and everyone had a great time! I wouldn’t recommend it for kids much younger than 9/10 as it was action packed and required a lot of stamina, but it is great for multi generation families with older kids.

This was an amazing experience for both the adults and the kids and I would highly recommend it.  I would love to help you plan this type of adventure. Email me at christin@vincentvacations.com to get started!

Stay tuned for the Galapagos portion of our trip. I can’t wait to share part two of our South America adventure!

I recently sailed Alaska’s 7 Day Alaska Itinerary out of Vancouver on the Disney Wonder. We had stops at Dawes Glacier, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. The weather was amazing-70’s and 80’s many days in the ports and really clear weather until the last day at sea. We saw whales, porpoises, seals, and bald eagles without ever even leaving the ship. It was an incredible experience for my children.
The ship was perfect-a great size for Alaska with plenty of activities, great cabins, and the food was excellent. The crew treated my kids so well and we loved seeing our waiters every night in the different dining rooms.

We had a great time, but there’s a few things I wish I had done differently:

We tried to do character photos early. The lines are LONG at the beginning of the week but by the last few days the lines were much shorter and my kids were much happier after a short wait to see the characters!
I scheduled too many shore excursions. We booked the glacier cruise, 2 excursions in Skagway, 1 in Juneau, and another in Ketchikan. A few days before the cruise we canceled our excursion in Ketchikan (and weren’t charged for it) and I’m so glad we did. By the time our last port rolled around my kids were ready for a little more freedom and to be able to explore at our own pace. They napped when we pulled into port so when they woke up we explored the town on our own and had a great time.
We didn’t book a balcony. It’s better to go to Alaska in an interior room than not go at all, but it would have been great to have splurged and been able to use the balcony while my kids napped! From our window we saw whales, porpoises, seals and of course icebergs! The visibility from a balcony would have been even better.
I didn’t pack swimsuits for my kids. Really, I had no idea kids would be swimming in the pools in Alaska! But we had several warm days and the pools and splash areas were used every day. We managed to grab my oldest a swimsuit in port and she got to use the pools for the last few days.

Let’s skip to the good part! There are 4 things I was glad I did that made our cruise just a bit more enjoyable.

We chose Disney Cruise Lines over other cruise lines. I’ve sailed on six different cruise lines, 2 of those in Alaska (now 3!). There’s nothing that compares for a family vacation than Disney Cruise Lines! The kid’s clubs, character experiences, family activities like crafts, animation classes, family dance parties, theme nights really set Disney apart from all the other cruise lines. There was something for all ages to participate in all day!
I booked the glacier explorer at Dawes Glacier. I was worried my kids (ages 2 and 4) were too young to appreciate it but they were amazed by being so close to a glacier and watching seals float around on icebergs! The deck hands even brought an iceberg onto the boat and gave each child their own piece to eat and play with. We bundled them up to up on deck after we reached the glacier and they were able to watch it calve. We got MUCH closer to the glacier and wildlife than we were able to on the ship.
We chose early dining. My kids absolutely loved the rotational dining! Their favorite drinks were on our table when we arrived each night along with crayons and a kids menu with coloring activities. Tianna’s was so fun with the Mardi Gras parade and it was such a neat experience to see our artwork come to life in Animator’s Palate! However, with the time difference, I know if we had late dining they would have been too tired to enjoy any of it.
We packed costumes for Frozen Night. The deck party is so fun and you even see all of the moms and dads really having the best time and singing along! Frozen night happens on glacier viewing day, so be prepared at both dinner and after dinner for special Frozen activities!

I’ve sailed Alaska 3 times on 3 different cruise lines! I would love to help you plan your next Alaska or Disney cruise! Jessica@VincentVacations.com

 

Well I will be honest, I love everything about Christmas the decor, the movies , the music. It’s all magical and I love the madness that surrounds the season. BUT I don’t love the increasing need for presents, shopping and so on.  My husband and I agreed years ago to limit gifts to mostly travel/ trips or things related to upcoming adventures we are planning for. With the idea that we want to collect new memories and experiences in turn, collecting less STUFF!  While yes, this is harder with kids it is still a novel idea that I encourage all to embrace, life is moves by awfully fast and you can’t take all that stuff with you.

This brings me to the title of this blog, Christmas in July, its a popular term that I fully WELCOME! But for me, a travel agent, this is a very popular time for families to get a jump start on their holiday travel plans. Because the unfortunate truth is, prices are going to continue to rise as we enter the holiday season, moms + dads are going to get overwhelmed with back to school plans and sports camps. Therefore planning for Holiday Travel almost HAS TO start now, for your budgeting purposes and for your sanity.

Travel is often best booked between 6-10 months out from your ideal travel dates. So here it is folks; your reminder for planning that Christmas cruise or that magical Disney trip needs to begin NOW! Christmas in July isn’t just for Hallmark movies 😉

Holland and Belgium River Cruise…

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a European river cruise?  I had a preconceived notion thinking this was an old person’s vacation.  Although river cruises do attract older people and accommodate those who may have mobility issues, this is definitely not an elderly cruise!  I can tell you that this was one of the most fascinating vacations I have ever been on.  The AmaStella was our vessel, or ship, and is basically like a floating hotel.  Your room is always in the same location on board so no need to pack your bags and change rooms every few days.  AmaWaterways offers a variety of cruise itineraries that will keep you interested time and time again.   Right now they are celebrating 20 years in business with some amazing prices!

We flew out a day before the cruise and did a little sightseeing in Amsterdam.  I highly recommend doing this to get acclimated to the time change.  We took a canal cruise which was interesting, but not recommended if you have jet lag!  The warm sun made my eyelids heavy and I am sure I missed a thing or two!

Saturday morning we took the Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour which took us through the Jewish Quarter. Our guide, Roza, did a great job telling us about what it was like in Amsterdam during WWII.  

One stop was at the Auschwitz Monument.  The monument is made of broken mirrors signifying that “heaven is no longer unbroken since Auschwitz.”

The last stop of the tour was in front of the Frank house where Anne and her family survived for 761 days!  Unfortunately we did not get to go in the house, but seeing the outside of the house in person as well as renderings of the inside makes it even more remarkable that they survived there for so long.

Our first stop on the AmaStella was in Utrecht, Amsterdam.  In the morning we visited Floriada, the international horticultural exhibition.  Castle De Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands, was where we spent the afternoon. 

Castle De Haar was once the private residence of the Van Zuylen family, whose descendants still stay here yearly. The castle also frequently hosted members of the international jet-set with their lavish lifestyle; from Coco Chanel to Roger Moore, they too left their mark on the plush rooms of the most beautiful spot in Utrecht.

Lastly, we had dinner at the chef’s table aboard the beautiful AmaWaterways, AmaStella! A wonderful experience with several passengers in a private dining room.  This is available for all guests at least one night on the cruise. Delicious!

It’s a good trip when you can’t remember what day of the week it is while on vacation! On Tuesday, June 28th we were in Ghent, Belgium!  A beautiful and quaint city with so much to offer!  Our day started by visiting the St. Bavo Cathedral and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The Ghent Altarpiece, or ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432, is recognized worldwide as a great work of art, and one of the most influential paintings ever made. Hubert van Eyck painted part of the Ghent Altarpiece that includes the Mystic Lamb, but was never able to finish it. His younger brother Jan, completed this masterpiece a few years after Hubert’s death.

This church was originally named Saint John the Baptist in 942.  The diocese of Ghent was founded in 1559 and the church became St Bavo’s Cathedral.

After this, we had free time to explore.  We ate waffle fries, bought and tasted some chocolate, visited the smallest bar in Ghent (which used to be a jail) and then off to visit the Gravenstein Castle.  The moated castle was built by Count Phillip of Alsace in 1180.  I am so impressed with how well these castles have stood the test of time.  When I think about how long ago they were built with no modern way of constructing such a large building, it really is amazing!

One of our days was spent at the Battle of the Bulge site.  What rich history is here in Belgium!  The perspective of this museum is one of great appreciation of the United States and what they did to save their country during World War II.  Our tour guide was a walking encyclopedia!  He had so much knowledge of World War II and how each country became involved.

The photos below are from the museum, the actual battle field where foxholes still exist, a memorial to the 101st Airborne Division, memorials to honor General Patton and General McAuliffe.  The people of Belgium are incredibly grateful to the United States and paid to have these memorials in their country.

Our day in Antwerp was spent participating in a walking tour of the city and ending our time with a Belgium beer tour!  We saw the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady, Steen’s Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain.  This particular city paid homage to the Virgin Mary.  Citizens from long ago would place a statue of the Virgin Mary on a light post so they would not have to pay taxes!  Some statues were elaborate and some very simple, but all placed for the same reason.  We ended our day with a beer tour tasting local beers.  Some were good, others not so much!  After all that beer, I finally found my Belgium waffle!  It was delicious!

The last day was in a small beautiful harbor town called Dordrecht.  I was in awe of this beautiful community.  We walked the city streets learning all about the rich history and sightseeing the amazing homes and businesses.  Dordrecht is Holland’s oldest city, being founded in 1220.  The last tour of the day was visiting the iconic windmills in Kinderdijk.  This small town is known for having the largest concentration of windmills dating back to the 18th century.  The first windmill still exists today!  What I found so interesting is that the windmills are used to pump water back to the sea to keep the town from flooding.  We climbed inside a windmill to see how it works and received some interesting information from a “miller” who is someone who operates the windmill.  

 

If you are now inspired to find an AmaWaterways river cruise that fits your interests, please contact me at laura@vincentvacations.com or 918-645-9524.  

If you’ve ever arranged a trip with several people, you know it’s not always easy to get everyone on the same page. You might be tempted to give up and go solo at some point along the way—but don’t! Traveling as part of a group can be just as fun and exciting as going off on your own.
If you’re just getting started on planning group travel, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First and foremost, you’re going to need some help. There’s no getting around that. If you try to do it all yourself, it will take forever and likely not be as successful as it could be if someone else were involved.
Second, it’s important to have a leader who can make decisions on behalf of the group so everyone is on the same page when they hit the road together. This person should also be able to communicate effectively with everyone involved and make sure that everyone knows what their responsibilities are going into the trip (and after).
Finally, the best part of traveling with a group is the fun you can have together. The most important thing is to remember that this doesn’t have to be stressful—in fact, if you follow these steps and do your best, planning group travel will be fun!
Here are the go-to tips I have learned after planning group travel for my existing clients:
– Coming up with the right budget to fit everyone’s needs
– Ask the right questions
– Establish your travel priorities
– Be open-minded
– Use a travel agent.

Coming up with the right budget to fit everyone’s needs
You’ve decided to plan a trip with your friends, and you’ve laid out the time and place. Now it’s time to decide how much money everyone should contribute to the whole thing.
This can be one of the most intimidating parts of planning any kind of group travel—there are so many factors that could make or break an otherwise fun trip!
You don’t want anyone to feel left out because they either couldn’t afford it or didn’t want their parents involved. You also don’t want people to spend too much on things they won’t remember anyway, like fancy dinners or cocktails at five-star hotels when what they wanted was a simple beachside resort where they could relax with their friends while not breaking the bank.

The trick is to ask the right questions!
There are a lot of answers when it comes to travel, and asking the right person (or people) can be a tricky process.
To make sure you’re getting quality information from your travel agent, ask them about their favorite places and experiences in the area. If they seem like they’ve been there or have experience planning this destination, that’s great! You might want to consider working with them instead of someone else who doesn’t know as much about where you want to go or what kind of experience would be best for your group.

What are your priorities?
When planning a trip, it’s important to keep your priorities in mind. These include:
Budget: How much do you want to spend on this trip? Remember that the more expensive your accommodations are, the less money you’ll have for things like excursions and you may be looking at losing a few group members along the the way due to budget restrictions. All inclusive resorts or cruises are a great option for a group so the extras won’t cause budget surprises.
Location: Are there any specific places or activities you’re interested in seeing? Is there anything nearby that might be interesting? Will there be enough time to take advantage of everything during your stay? Your answers will help narrow down where is best for everyone involved based on location.
Accommodation: Do you have pre-set roommates in place or are some people more comfortable than others with sharing rooms with someone they may not know that well. To start, a good rule of thumb is “two people per room.” because many resorts charge a single occupancy rate for rooms consisting of one person (more often than not equal to be the same price or higher than two people sharing a room).

Approach researching travel destinations with an open mind.
The best way to begin planning a group trip is with an open mind. This isn’t just a matter of considering the needs of all the people in your group, it’s also about considering their desires and what you can do as a leader to meet them.
Consider the needs of each individual in your group, including yourself and family members who may be joining you on this trip. Consider their interests, likes, dislikes, and budget restrictions. Once you know where everyone stands on these issues, it will be easier for you to decide how far into the future it should take place; how long it should last; who will go with them (if anyone); where it should be located; how much it’ll cost; etc.

Consider using a travel agent
If you’re planning a group trip, consider working with a travel agent. A good travel agent can do the following:
– Help you plan a trip that meets everyone’s needs
– Save money
– Save time
– Avoid mistakes

Conclusion
Now that you know the trick to group travel, you’re ready to start planning your next trip. Enjoy every moment of it!

Vincent Vacations would love to help you get started. We are a “fee-free” company with agents specialized in many different destinations.

Contact us today to get started.
 https://www.vincentvacations.com/About-Us/Contact-Us

What I liked and didn’t like about Disneyland Paris, including staying on-property.

We are a Disney family. We aren’t annual pass holders level, but I would say we are almost there. We go often and sometimes I personally go more than once a year with work events. My kids have stayed on property at Disney in all levels from Deluxe to Value, and at Grand Californian in Anaheim.

We headed on a European adventure and made Paris one of our stops. At the time of the trip my three boys were 9, 7 and 6. We flew from London to Paris and then took a cab to the hotel. The cab line was easy to find and cost about 90 euros (in a larger van since there was 5 of us).

Upon arrival, it doesn’t have the warm fuzzy feeling like at Disney World. There wasn’t a welcome greeting but a direct to take our bags to a X-ray machine. We then went through a metal detector. We had Compass Club so we were able to check in right to the left. This was a great time saver as opposed to the main check in desk so I highly recommend this.

We chose to stay at Newport Bay. It sits walking distance from the parks (about 10 minutes) and has a shuttle. We walked each time, but they said the shuttle came every 1 minute. Our room had 2 double beds and 2 sleeper chairs, which worked great for our family to spread out. The bathroom had a shower and a separate tub all in the same little bathroom so that was odd, but convenient. The room was stocked with a couple of bottles of water and bathroom toiletries including robes and slippers.

The hotel is kind of dated. The wall paper in the halls needs to be redone and a lot of the hotel is a little tired. I can only imagine how a kid oriented hotel is treated on a regular basis. The beds were comfortable, though so no complaints on that. I can just see some being surprised especially given the price point.

The hotel had surprise meet and greets, so our first hour of being there my kids met Pluto, which they were excited about. The staff was good about transitioning between French and English. I noticed there were a lot of UK families staying, but not many from the USA, which was expected.

The hotel has both an indoor and outdoor pool. It’s a whole check in where they ask your room number, which is different than in the USA. The most startling thing to me – the unisex locker rooms for the pool. This, I’m sure is the norm in France, but I can see this being awkward for American travelers. The European guests are also not as modest as most Americans. My kids were like “why aren’t they wearing a swim suit top?” and things like that.

For having a club level room we had access to the lounge. In club level rooms at Disney hotels I’ve stayed in previously the club lounge is in the area of the rooms. This was on ground floor close to the lobby. They served daily breakfast and then snacks from 4-530PM. Snacks included different kinds of cakes, cake pops, pastries, fruit, cherry tomatoes with mozzarella and a lot of yogurt. My kids ate so my croissants. I was glad they would try new things like this banana Mickey cake they had. My biggest shock is they didn’t serve wine or beer. I would have thought in all places like France that wine or champagne would flow like water. It did not. Ha! You had your option of Coca-Cola products, Fuze Tea, coffee or hot tea. The drinks were always available.

In case you’re not totally familiar Disney in Paris is 2 parks connected to Disney Village which is their version of Disney Springs. We chuckled at all the American brands in Disney Village from McDonalds which was always hopping to a 50’s style dinner, a BBQ place called Billy Bobs, Planet Hollywood and more. Disney Studios kind of reminds me of Hollywood Studios. Disneyland is laid out very similarly to Disneyland in California but with some fun differences.

One of the things we loved was you are able to climb up in and around the castle. The castle is Sleeping Beauty’s castle. There are stairs going up and it tells her story in stained glass. You can also go out and wave on the balcony like you see characters doing at other parks. There’s a neat glass blowing shop also in the castle with a door in the back of the shop that takes you downstairs under the castle with an animatronic dragon. My kids probably talked about this the most since they thought they discovered something on their own.

The kids loved Skull Island which is their version of Tom Sawyer’s Island with playground and caves to explore. There is also a cute Pinocchio ride.

Just this last year they completely refurbished and changed Space Mountain into HyperSpace Mountain. This is all Star Wars themed with the song blasting you off at the beginning. A big change for HyperSpace? This ride takes you upside down on one loop. My oldest said it was pitch dark and he only knew he was upside down by how his cheeks felt. I was too chicken to ride it.

Another unique part of Disneyland is the Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. This is the Queen of Hearts garden maze complete with card characters popping up, cute photo stops and a fun castle to climb up at the end. If you’re a big Disney person just coming for the unique experiences I think is worth it.

One thing about the park is from my perspective it’s very understaffed. I’m going to assume this is a worldwide issue caused my the pandemic. I’m used to being greeted at rides. I’m use to a lot of staff everywhere. It was sometimes hard to find someone. It was surprising when we had that amazing Disney service from an employee. This was probably the most disappointing. It wasn’t the same. I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing but it wasn’t the interactive chatty happy workers like what we experience all the time in the United States.

Park hopping is common and you don’t pay extra for it here. You easily can walk between the parks. Over at Disney Studios they have a great Cars and Toy Story area. There are some unique rides including a race car ride from Toy Story that does this half circle fall. It reminds me of the boat rides at the fair that swing.

Disney Studios of course has a lot of shows from Frozen to a magician Mickey show. Their new attraction for the park is Avengers Campus. They have modified Rockin Roller Coaster into Avengers Assemble: Flight Force an Iron man and Captain Marvel ride and also added WEB to the campus just a couple weeks before we arrived. This is the same Spider-Man ride at Disneyland in California. It was a resounding favorite of everyone. It can sense your movements so it looks like you’re really throwing webs to help Spider-Man fight off some evil spiders. It’s so cool. We said we need a quick trip to California just to ride this one again.

Here’s some important info. We were there over a weekend in the summer. The parks were at capacity. They do reservations just like we do in the United States. We wanted to be able to maximize so we upgraded to Premier Access Ultimate. This is something not in the USA parks so let me explain with a list to make it easier:

-Cost was 140 Euros per person on top of park admission
-There was a list of 9 rides at Disneyland and 4 at Disney Studios that are included.
-With Ultimate you can walk up to any of these rides on the list at anytime during your day and go to the Premier line (what we like to call Fast Pass or Lightning Lane).
-You only could use your Premier once per ride per person.

There was an option that was less expensive that you could schedule each ride and come back during your time slot. With us not loving making a plan, this wasn’t ideal for our family, but it would be a way to save money. You can also purchase premier access one by one with specific time slots. They ranged from $9-$18 per person per ride. This is all done on their APP.

We really loved the Premier Access. The PA lines were minimal, if anything while the regular lines were over an hour or more. I was calling it a mini-VIP guide day.

Overall, we are glad we went to Disneyland Paris. We had a great time! It was a great highlight for the kids on a European itinerary.

I tried to be as transparent and honest with our experience so you know what you’re getting. If this sounds like a vacation you would love, then please reach out. My office would love to help you plan a European vacation with Disneyland Paris as part of your adventure.