Category: TRAVELER REVIEWS

Review: Christmas on the Seine Aboard Viking Radgrid

By: Jerry Steves, Travel Consultant

Overview 

We came ready to embrace the holiday season with a taste of Joyeux Noel. We explored Paris, France’s twinkling “City of Light” and sailed through the landscapes of Normandy’s countryside and to admire the scenes of fairy-tale villages along the way. Along the way we enjoyed the scented aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts amid a festive backdrop of Christmas markets. 

Day 1 – Arrive at the Ship

Due to high waters on the Seine, we met our original ship at the departure point just steps from the foot of the Eiffel Tower and were whisked away by a luxury couch to the sister ship just outside of downtown about 14 miles away in the town of Le Pecq. We were greeted by the friendly staff as we checked in and found our wonderful french balcony accommodations waiting for us. After a greeting from the staff with champagne, we went on our first excursion to Saint-Germain-en-Laye. 

We went on a walking tour in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a beautiful town with castles, Christmas Markets, and panoramic views of the surrounding areas. We could even see the Eiffel Tower in the distance!

Day 2 – Paris and Palace of Versailles

Today we opted to skip the morning tour of Paris as we had arrived two days prior to the cruise and saw many of the sights included in the morning excursion. After a leisurely breakfast, we explored on our own and then came back to the ship for lunch. We then met the rest of the tour group at the palace of Versailles for a very informative glimpse into the opulence of the French royal court. Having lived the first nine months of my life in a smaller hunting lodge on the grounds of Versailles, I was very interested to see this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site. As we explored the palace, room by room, we were delighted with the history of Versailles. Hidden passageways allowed the king to visit the queen in her quarters as she was never allowed in his. Of course, his mistresses also used these same passageways.

Day 3 – Vernon

Vernon is very charming. With half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets you feel like you’ve been thrust back in time. Everywhere you look, magnificent wooden carvings adorn the architecture. The Christmas market here is rather small, but we enjoyed the walking tour in the morning. It included a memorable Organ Recital. 

Day 4 – Caudebec-en-Caux and excursion to Le Havre

We then set sail for Caudebec-en-Caux to tour the small village and its gothic Notre Dame of Caudebec-en-Caux. While most of the city’s medieval buildings were destroyed by a 1940 fire, this 15th-century church survived. Of particular note are the 333 human figures carved on its west portal. 

After lunch, we traveled by motor-coach to Le Havre, the major port for most ocean cruise ships heading to Paris. Rich with history, brutalist architecture and a popular beach destination, Le Havre had one of the more interesting cathedrals we visited. From the exterior, you couldn’t see the beautiful stained glass that lights up on the inside as the sun shines on it. The Christmas market was quaint and we rode the ferris wheel. After a bit of shopping and exploring, we completed our tour and headed back to the ship for dinner.

Day 5 – Rouen

Enjoying eggs benedict again this morning was a treat before we set out to explore the city of Rouen. It’s a city as opposed to a small town. More gorgeous churches. This is where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Now there’s a church marking the spot. There was a peaceful protest while we were walking the charming streets. We ran into the ship’s entertainer, Elton Guy, while enjoying a beverage at a local cafe. Being from England, he was thrilled to have found an authentic Fish & Chips restaurant in town.

Day 6 – Les Andelys

Today’s walking tour to Château Gaillard was a bit more strenuous as it is located atop a steep hill overlooking the city. Built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart, the castle and the village’s strategic location bolstered the importance of Les Andelys throughout the Middle Ages. We met a friendly cat on the way back down the hill. The rest of the day was spent relaxing onboard the ship in preparation of our journey back to Le Pecq since the Seine is still too high to allow docking in Paris.

Day 7 – Paris

Today we ventured out to the largest of all the Christmas Markets in the “New York of Paris”, La Défense. It is a major business district in France, located approximately 2 miles west of the city limits of Paris. It is part of the Paris metropolitan area in the Île-de-France region. We enjoyed mulled wine and shopped our way through the market. From one vantage point, you could see the Arc de Triomphe as it lines up with the newest Arc located here in La Défense, La Grande Arche de la Défense.

Day 8 – Paris

We bid farewell to our Viking Radgrid crew and friends we made along the way.

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Review: Mexico Aboard Carnival Dream

By: Jim Leary, Sales Management Integration


I love cruising out of Galveston, TX. Because it’s so close to Houston, I don’t have to buy airfare so I save money on my vacation planning! I’ve sailed on Carnival several times, but this was my first time on the Carnival Dream and it was going to all of my favorite ports – Costa Maya (Mexico,) Roatan (Honduras,) and Cozumel (Mexico.)

The ship was well-appointed with something for everyone – from sports courts, swimming pools and a jogging track to the casino, show lounges and dining venues, and the central atrium of the ship which often had live music, a festive bar and activities all day long such as line dancing. The movie screen over the pool ensures that there’s always something to watch while you’re in the pool, or at night under the stars.

Carnival’s international staff is always smiling and making sure that everyone is having the vacation of a lifetime. My cabin steward did a fantastic job keeping my room tidy and making sure I had a towel animal every day waiting on my bed.

The ship was in Costa Maya for the afternoon-only. Many passengers chose to shop & swim at the main port & shopping area, while others opted to do shore excursions to Mayan ruins or water-sport-type snorkeling or kayaking. We had 80-degree sunny weather and the day was absolutely perfect. I made my way to the nearby city of Mahajual (two miles away) to enjoy beef quesadillas at a waterfront restaurant and shopping in the local stores.

In Roatan, most tours fall into two categories – “the beach” and “wildlife/ziplining.” I chose to go to the beach which is located next to the ship. The beach at Mahogany Bay is one of the nicest beaches I have ever visited. For a small fee, you can ride a ski chair-lift over the palm trees to the beach, and relax on a chaise lounge with protection from the sun with an umbrella or clam shell shade. It was a great way to get some sun, relax and swim in the ocean.

Cozumel offers a variety of excursion options but I wanted to eat lunch at my favorite restaurant. I’ve been eating there for about 30 years and their chile rellenos never disappoint. After a short cab ride into town, I strolled around the zocolo (town square) and picked up a few souvenirs for family and friends. Afterwards, I made my way to the restaurant to enjoy authentic Mexican food.

I had an unbelievable experience going back to the ship. I found a cab who drove me back to the pier, dropped me off and then quickly drove away. A few minutes later, I realized I left my cell phone in the cab. I contacted a taxi dispatcher at the pier who asked me for the cab number and the driver’s name. I didn’t have any of that information. I showed them where I was dropped off and gave an approximate time. Behind the scenes, someone reviewed the security footage and was able to get the cab number. The driver was called and within 10 minutes, I had my phone again.

Back onboard the ship, the last two nights had two comedians as well as an 80s theme night and a Silent Disco (where attendees are provided with headphones to enjoy the music, but otherwise the disco was silent with people dancing – it was a unique experience which was quite humorous.)

Carnival didn’t disappoint, and I’ve rebooked the same ship (different itinerary) to celebrate my birthday next year. Carnival is a great value and the food is so good that I’m sure I didn’t lose any weight while I was onboard. I look forward to being onboard the Carnival Dream in 2025.

Review: Shannon to the Thames with Globus

By: Kerry Cole, Travel Consultant

This was my first guided bus tour, so even though we sell many of them, I was curious to see what so many of our clients experience. 

We live in Naples, so we decided to fly Virgin Atlantic nonstop from Miami to London and spend 3 days there before the trip. While service on Virgin is amazing, we were still exhausted once we arrived in London. We had the choice to take the train to the hotel or Uber and we chose Uber. This was about $87 US dollars, while there is a little confusion on where to meet app pick ups at the London Heathrow Airport, this was pretty quick and easy to get an Uber in a minute’s notice. 

We stayed 22 miles from the airport, pretty close to the city center. We stayed at the DoubleTree Docklands Riverside, which offered a free water shuttle across town, where there was plenty of shopping and restaurants and a nice place for an afternoon coffee. There was a local pub a 2 minute walk, where we enjoyed some fish and chips on our first night. We enjoyed the view and some drinks as well. 

After three days just exploring London, it was time for an early morning Uber trip back to London Heathrow. Even though it was only just 20 miles away, the speed limit in the city of London is only 20 mph, so it took about two hours to get back to the airport, for our one hour flight on Aer Lingus from London to Shannon. Expect no frills on this local carrier, you must pay for everything, including coffee or tea or small treats, but the service was quick and pleasant. Upon arrival in Shannon, we were greeted by a Globus representative to guide us to the coach for our transfer to Limerick. We got onboard and met the tour director and several fellow travelers. Upon arrival at our first hotel, Limerick Strand Hotel, our room was not ready, so we decided to head for a walk up town and get some nice views of King John’s Castle and the River Shannon. 

Upon return to the hotel for our two nights in Limerick, we had a welcome drink and dinner provided through Globus and we got a chance to meet the entire group.

On the first full day of the tour, we woke up to tea and coffee provided in the room and then we went down to a full Irish breakfast before we headed out for the day to see the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, the bustling city center of Galway with the Corrib River and then to Rathbaun Farms for some sheep shearing and tea and scones.

Day 3 We have a full day out and an early start as we head to see the Ring of Kerry and go visit the town of Killarney. We stopped in for Irish coffees and Bailey’s coffees in a little town along the way. Some of the most beautiful scenery with the panoramic views and lush green landscapes. 

As the drives between cities can be long, we stopped to walk and get some pictures of local historic buildings and history of the towns. We learned that Charlie Chaplin would spend 3 to 4 months a year vacationing by the seaside. 

Day 4 The much anticipated Blarney Castle, home of the magical kissing stone. The castle and the gardens are just amazing to walk through. We only had a couple of hours here, but really to take it all in, you need a good 5-8 hours. Especially with the weather being nice as there are dining options to enjoy a lunch or tea and scones. We arrived early and had to wait about an hour to climb to the top of the castle and see the magical stone, but the later in the day you arrive, the crowds grow and this could take up to 3 hours. There is quite a steep climb and as you climb the stairs, they get very narrow and the space is very enclosed. There were people who turned away nearing the top as they found it claustrophobic.

Day 5, We head off to Dublin for 2 nights, for castles, coffee and cathedrals. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Garden of Remembrance I and the National Gallery of Ireland were among some of our stops. Also home to the oldest pub in Europe dating back to the 1100’s. 

After Dublin, as we head to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Highlights are the visit to the Giant’s Causeway, 40,000 unlocking basalt columns formed millions of years ago, beautiful architecture and the Titanic Experience, but first we stop for some Irish tea and apple crumble with ice cream. 

Included in our tour was admission to the Titanic Experience, seeing where the Titanic was built and seeing replicas of the cabins and furniture and china, and seeing all the names on the memorial wall, was quite a moving experience to say the least. The tour takes a couple of hours, but is worth it to all the Titanic fans out there. 

As we leave Northern Ireland, there is time to admire the gorgeous scenery as we head to take the ferry across the Irish Channel. The ferry ride was much more than I expected. We rode on the bus to board the ship and then once the bus was boarded, we were able to get off the bus and head to the passenger decks, which was literally like a cruise ship, with shopping, spas, lounges, food, arcades and even cabins for sleeping if you really needed it for the two hour journey.

Arrival in Scotland, we are staying in Edinburgh for two nights and after a long day’s journey, we were so lucky to come across this little Italian place, Mamma Roma’s, which was right across the street from our hotel. Some of the best Italian, I have had in a long time. We visited Edinburgh Castle and St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Balmoral Hotel.

And just in case, you have not seen enough castles just yet, we did visit the Alnwick Castle, which is the “Harry Potter” Castle. There were play areas for the young at heart, you could learn to ride a broomstick and dress up for photos, as well as explore the castle and gardens.

York was the next stop on our tour for one night. Highlights include the York Minster Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Garden and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Plus an amazing little hole in the wall Italian place, Massimo’s Italian, a one man operation, but he sure could cook.

Bath, the best spa town in Europe, was next on our list. Well known for its Roman Baths, a UNESCO World Heritage site and its public bath houses. Bath Abby Church is also a major attraction to the area, with the angels and the “stairway to heaven” course another major highlight in the area was the world famous monument of STONEHENGE. 

Finally, we have made it to our last stop, London. There is so much to see and do in London, so impossible to do it all, but some of the highlights include, this great local pub, the Pineapple, which was across from our hotel, Westminster Abbey, Prince Albert Memorial, Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, The River Thames, Big Ben and so much more.

 The tour was ending and it was time to come home. We had been in the UK for almost 3 weeks and seen scenery like no other and experienced years of history and culture. We had packed and unpacked, over a dozen times, had early mornings and late nights, and rode on a bus for over 2500 miles, visited 4 countries, made friends with 28 others and became found of our driver and tour director, so as we said goodbye, we headed to the airport early that morning and could not have been more thankful for our journey. Luckily for us, we had booked Virgin’s Upper Class service and this guarantees to get you from your car door, through security and to the Virgin Club House in 10 minutes and, they actually did. The Clubhouse is amazing. We had a nice breakfast and drinks and had a smooth 9 hour flight back to Miami.

Review: Vida Portugal Aboard Avalon

By: Hue Nguyen, Travel Consultant

Embarking on the Avalon Alegria through Portugal was an unforgettable experience. The sailing starts and ends in Porto, which is the town that gave the country and port wine its name, and is the second-largest city in Portugal. The sailing was so scenic that both sides of the river were filled with beautiful terraced vineyards and quaint villages.

From the moment I stepped on board, I was enveloped in an ambiance of sophistication and comfort. The ship’s contemporary design seamlessly blends with the breathtaking landscapes that unfold along the Douro River.

One of the highlights of the cruise was the exceptional dining experience. The talented chefs showcased flavors of Portuguese cuisine by sourcing fresh ingredients from local markets along the riverbanks, and pairing it with fine ports from the region. Breakfast and lunches are served buffet style in the Dining Room and Dinners are 4 course meals. Guests that prefer tapas style can dine in the Panorama Lounge which has the Bistro.

We also got to enjoy the Sky Grill during lunch time which had alfresco barbeque.

One thing that is different with the Douro compared to other rivers is that the Douro river cruise itinerary includes lots of daytime sailing, ships are not allowed to sail at night due to the difficulty of navigating the Douro river and the locks you have to pass through. Entering a lock is a bit like entering a giant bathtub: the ship glides into the chamber, and massive gates close behind it, sealing off the water. Then, water is either pumped in to raise the vessel or drained to lower it. I’ve never seen a lock before so it was very thrilling and educational. This is the Carrapatello Dam, Which has a lock with a water level change of 35 meters, making it one of the tallest in the world and the deepest in Europe.

Another highlight was Avalon’s on board entertainment. In the evenings, we were treated to local talented musicians from acoustic singers to traditional Fado. We also had the opportunity to take a class on the art of traditional tile painting techniques called Azulejos and then paint our own tiles to bring home.

For the Avalon excursions there is something for everyone. With three distinct options—Active, Discovery, and Classic-guests have the opportunity to explore destinations in a way that aligns with their interests and desired level of activity. 

One of the memorable excursions was when in Porto, I joined the Active excursion led by a local biologist where we rode bikes along the Portuguese coastline overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 

Being in the wine region, we also had many opportunities to visit local vineyards to learn about the winemaking process and the unique characteristics of Douro Valley wines. From the traditional methods used in cultivation and production, I gained a deeper appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind each bottle. The highlight of the excursion is undoubtedly the wine tasting experience. During the duration of this sailing, I think I drank more wine than water. 

Overall, sailing on Avalon’s new ship exceeded my expectations. It offered the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and indulgence. 

Review: Globus – The Sicilian

By: Vince Todaro, Travel Consultant

Today, Sicily is renowned for its cultural heritage, historic sites, beautiful landscapes, and delicious cuisine (of course!). Its history is a tapestry of diverse influences from various civilizations that have left their mark on the island’s culture and architecture.

Palermo

The 1st couple of nights were spent in the capital of Sicily, Palermo. So much history, stunning architecture, and culinary delights at every turn!

Erice

Erice was one of our favorite little towns on this journey! Small winding cobblestone streets, well preserved medieval buildings, and a welcoming atmosphere that made us feel right at home. Not to mention, the views were amazing!

Marsala – Mazara Del Vallo – Sciacca – Agrigento

On our way to Agrigento, we visited more charming, historic small towns. From Marsala’s history dating back to 397 BC, and is now known for it’s self named wine; to Sciacca’s beautiful pottery and ceramics and beautiful coastline beaches, there was a ton to see. We tried “brioche con gelato” and Arancinis (fried rice balls with meat/cheese). They were delish! The views along the way were breathtaking!

Agrigento

The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most well preserved archaeological areas from ancient Greek civilization. This incredible site dates back to the 5th century BC!

Piazza Armerina – Ragusa – Syracuse

We visited the Villa Romana del Casale. Here lies the largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world. In Ragusa, we had the opportunity to visit and learn about the workmanship at a Carrettieri, a Sicilian Cart workshop. In Syracuse, a guided tour of the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre took us back a few years!

Catania – Savoca – Taormina

Catania sits at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano. We took an optional excursion about 2⁄3 the way up. We climbed in and out of side craters and took in more fantastic views. Catania is also known for its bustling fish market and once again, beautiful coastline/beaches.Savoca, a nice quaint charing town is known for its location of filming the Godfather. Taorminais the number one destination for vacation for Italian locals.

There were so many hidden gems on this tour! We visited so many small towns off the tourist beaten path. The magnificent views along the way, the fantastic cuisine daily, and the rich history is what made this tour shine! Sicily feels like its own country and has a different charm than mainland Italy. Make Sicily your next destination – Arrivederci!

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