What about a River Cruise?

Have you thought about combining two cruises together for a much longer cruise experience?  Perhaps a River Cruise could be just what you're looking for!  The Europe Traveler has compiled a list of what they consider to be the Best River Cruises in Europe.  Read more:  The Best River Cruises in Europe.

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Photographing Strangers

When you travel, is photographing people one of your favorite pastimes?  Have you ever thought about the etiquette of photographing strangers?  Lonely Planet has some great photography suggestions in this article:  http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/travel-tips-and-articles/77221.

Budget Busters

We all have a budget in mind when we travel.  And don't you just hate it when your budget gets busted?  Vagabondish has created a list of five budget busters and how to avoid them.  Read more:  http://www.vagabondish.com/hidden-budget-busters-to-avoid-travel/.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all of your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money!

Sydney, Australia

One of our favorite places in all the world!  An awesome experience when sailing in or out of this wonderful city!

Do You Have a Bucket List?

If you have a bucket list, what's on it?  Look at these photographs:  http://pinterest.com/matadornetwork/travel-bucket-list/.  Maybe one or more of these fabulous spots needs to be added to your list!

Iguassu Falls, Brazil and Argentina

Food Tours Through Italy

Have you ever thought about taking a bicycle to tour Italy and along the way have fabulous food?  And don't forget to take in the Italian culture as you travel along . . . read more in this exciting article from Gadling:  Bike Tours Cycle Through Culture and Food in Italy.

Enjoy!

Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's old city is magnificent!  The old churches filled with gold and silver, the colorful buildings, the historic tiles from Portugal and the colorful characters along the way!  Stroll along with your camera at the ready to record the moments!!

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Good Morning Dubai!  This sunrise photo was taken while sailing into the port of Dubai, UAE.

The Gardens of the Museum in Mumbai, India

One of the statues in the garden outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum in Mumbai (formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum).  You can visit the museum’s website to learn more so that you too can plan a visit.

Cape Town, South Africa

Sights you don’t want to Miss:

• Make sure that you get up early to watch as you sail into Cape Town – there’s a beautiful view of Table Mountain and the skyline of the city.
• Cape Point Peninsula – where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet
• Cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain – and the super view once you reach the top!
• Robben Island 
• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront 
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Other highlights:

• Day trip to the wine vineyard regions of Stellenbosch or Franschhoek
• Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach
• Have lunch at the scenic Seaforth Restaurant

Movies to watch before you go:

• Invictius

 

Books to read before you go:

• Long Walk to Freedom:  The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela
• The Power of One by Bruce Courtenay
• Mandela:  An Illustrated Autobiography by Nelson Mandela

Foods to enjoy in Cape Town:

• South African wines
• Seafood
• Meats cooked on the barbque (braai)
• Potjiekos
• South Africa’s own Castle Beer
• Rusks with a cup of coffee

Did you know?

• The world’s first human heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in Cape Town, South Africa on December 3, 1967.

 

Resources:

• Cape Town Sightseeing
• South Africa  
• Cape Town  

The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand

The Grand Palace, Bangkok’s most famous landmark, is a must see when you visit.  The buildings within the Palace walls are spectacular – dazzling with all of their gold finishes – exquisite and full of intricate details.

Travel Books - India

We find that we enjoy reading about countries that we visit.  If it is our first visit or our one-hundredth visit, we always learn more by reading.  Lonely Planet has an informative article about India - Travel Books to Read Before You Go.  Besides books, look for movies to watch that will help you understand the culture.

Enjoy!

Think about this . . .

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The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

St. Augustine

Bicycles in Vietnam

On your last visit to Vietnam, did you think that you had seen just about everything carried on a bicycle or motorcycle?  We did until we saw this photo essay on Matador Network.  Check it out:  Crazy Stuff on a Bicycyle.

Andy Abercrombie and his wife saw some pretty amazing loads in their travels in Vietnam.

Please share your travel photos with us!  We'd love to see what you've seen!!

High Above Luxor, Egypt

Do you think that you've seen just about everything there is to see in Luxor, Egypt?  Well, maybe you have, but consider seeing the sights from a different perspective!  A hot air balloon . . . read this fascinating article:  Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor from Matador Trips  --  a fabulous "optional activity"!  And we're sure that it will be one you'll never forget!

Great Travel Tool

We've discovered a very cool tool for finding out about more fun places to travel and things to see once you arrive at your destination. Take a close look at Flipboard (www.flipboard.com). There's an app for your iPhone snd also your iPad. You'll enjoy the fabulous phtography and the informative stories.

10 Free Things To Do in Rio

Traveling to Rio de Janeiro and looking for some cost effective activities?  Read about 10 Free Things To Do In Rio on Jessie on a Journey Blog.

There's so much to see and do in Rio . . .

A New Direction

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money.

 Susan Heller

Let us steer you . . .

      .  .  .  in the right direction .  .  .

      Always work with and book your travel through a reputable Travel Agency.  They will become your partner and will guide you through all of the decisions you’ll need to make for your dream cruise vacation to become a reality!

What is Your Favorite Port?

We've been telling you about our favorite ports . . . but what is your favorite?  We have a friend who always told us that his favorite port was the "next one"!  Was your favorite - Lisbon, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Honolulu, Osaka, Shanghai, Cochin, Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town, Rome, Athens, Mumbai  . . .

Tell us about your adventures  --  we'd love to hear from you!

Using Your Cellphone Overseas

A great tip from Kim Komando - in a recent article by Kim in USA Today . . . 

Using your cellphone overseas

Q: I am heading to England for a few weeks. I'd like to take my phone with me, but I know using it overseas can be tricky and costly. What should I do?

A: To use your phone overseas, you need to have a global GSM phone. All four major carriers sell them; look online to see if yours will work. If it will, you can buy a new SIM card for your own phone at your destination. This gives you access to prepaid minutes and a local number. If all of this seems like too much for you, you might consider simply renting an iPhone or iPad for use overseas, and then ship it back when you return. No matter what system you choose, your best bet for saving money overseas is to use Wi-Fi for communication and Internet access whenever possible. It might costs a few dollars to access, but it often costs considerably less than using cellular.

Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. To get the podcast, watch the show or find the station nearest you, visit www.komando.com. E-mail her at techcomments@usatoday.com.

Maui, Hawaii Sunset

The sun setting just off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, the Aloha State.  Maui offers visitors beautiful beaches, whale watching in the winter, golfing, shopping, surfing and of course, gorgeous sunsets.  Hawaii is a must-see destination for any traveler!!  It just doesn't get much better than this!

Travel Saver Tip

This could be a trip saver . . .

On a cruise - especially an extended cruise,  if you're not happy with your table mates, speak with the Maitre d'hotel and request a relocation to another table.

The Great Pyramid and great Sphinx in Giza, Egypt

The Great Pyramid . . . the great Sphinx . . . Giza, Egypt.  The Great Pyramid is the only surviving "wonder" of the original Seven Wonders of the World.  Located just outside of Cairo, Giza is a must see location.  You'll marvel at the massive sizes of these historical structures.  The exact building methods are still a mystery - even after all of these years of research.  Visit Egypt (http://www.egypt.travel/) and learn more.

Let us steer you . . .

      .  .  .  in the right direction .  .  .

      When planning your extended cruise or world cruise, the cruise line’s brochure should be the first document that you read thoroughly!

The Central Market in Hong Kong, China

By all means, visit the Central Market area in Hong Kong.  This market can be easily reached from the Financial District or from the Mid-Level Escalators.  A great time to visit is around 5:00 pm – you’ll see a lot of activity as people are leaving their offices and are buying food items for their evening meal.

Trip Saver Tip

      This could be a trip saver . . . 

When you’re packing, don’t forget the most important thing to take with you . . . a good attitude!!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sights you won’t want to miss:

• Make sure that you get up early to watch as you sail into Rio – you’ll pass right by Sugar Loaf Mountain and see the statue of The Christ will be lit! An absolutely amazing view!! One of the most beautiful harbors in all the world!

• Ride the funicular train to the top of Corcovado to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue. The train goes through a rain forest and the views from the top of the mountain are spectacular.

• Ride the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain.

• View the city of Rio from Niteroi. Try and make it to the Parque da Cidade for some spectacular photograph opportunities. If you run short on time, visit the Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum for a super view of Rio.

• Take the time to find Brazil Eu Te Amo Selaron Casa Da Escada.  The Selaron Stairs are finished in ceramic tiles. You’ve really got to see it to believe it and you may even see the artist – Selaron – working on his masterpiece.

Other Highlights

• Take in a Samba show.

• Take a walk along the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.

• The quaint neighborhood of Little Portugal.

• The Forest of Tijuca

• Ride the streetcar in the Santa Teresa neighborhood

Movies to watch before you go:

• Rio – The Movie

• Flying Down to Rio

• Donald Duck Visits Copacabana – A Disney Classic on YouTube

Books to Read before you go:

• Brazil by John Updike

• A Death in Brazil: A Book of Omissions by Peter Robb

• Silence of the Rain by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza

Foods to enjoy in Rio

• In Niteroi, try the Restaurante A Mineira – a buffet of a multitude of delicious typically Brazilian foods!  Or the Porcao Restaurant where you can sample all types of meats cooked over bar-b-ques.

• Enjoy seafood, beef and other native cuisines as well as foods from all over the world.

• Try the Brazilian beers — most have a German sounding name and are quite tasty!!

Friend in Rio:

• There’s just so much to see and do in Rio.  If you're looking for a great guide, we just happen to know one — Rafa Torres. Visit Rafa’s Travel Blog http://donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com and read more about Rafa's adventures in this awesome port of call!!

Sources:

• National Geographic Rio de Janeiro Guide

A Different Point of View . . .

    Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.

Miriam Beard, Historian and Archivist

How to Convert Currency

If you're looking for a quick and easy converter for currency, try this one:

Currency Converter

The Opera House in Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Opera House . . . the symbol of the city of Sydney, Australia.  One of the most recognized buildings in the world.  And in 2007, it was formally recognized as one of the outstanding places on the earth with its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Visit the Sydney Opera House website and learn more.

Think about this . . .

When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable.  It is designed to make its own people comfortable.      --  Clifton Fadiman

Hiroshima, Japan

Sights you won’t want to miss:

• See the famous Atomic Bomb Dome – the symbol of the Peace Park

• Peace Park and Museum  – you’ll want to spend some valuable time in the Museum

• Hiroshima Castle

• Shukkeien Park   – this garden/park sits right downtown Hiroshima and was beautifully reconstructed after the atomic bomb blast

Other Highlights:

• See the Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine  – the beautiful Red shrine pavillions

• Take a leisurely cruise on the Hiroshima River

• Visit the Mazda Museum

Movies to watch before you go:

• Lost in Translation

• White Light, Black Rain

• HBO Series – The Pacific

• The Last Samurai

• Shall We Dance (Foreign,  1996 Version)

Books to Read before you go:

• Hiroshima by John Hersey

Foods to enjoy in Japan:

Foods in Hiroshima are pretty much what you would find in all parts of Japan, including:

• Fresh fish

• Crisp vegetables, rice, bean curd – all enjoyed with a cup of tea

• Tempura, teppanyaki and sushi

• Have a cold Japanese beer  –  Kirin or Sapporo

• Sip chilled  Sake

Did you know?

• Hiroshima is home to Mazda Motor Corporation

• The professional baseball team in Hiroshima is call the Hiroshima “Carp”

Sources:

• Hiroshima, the City of Water Tourism
• Wiki-Travel – Hiroshima Travel Guide