Wednesday, February 17, 2016

What’s all the “hoopla” surrounding Europe 2016 ? Cruise ? Escorted Land Tour ? Both ? Or River Cruising ? Are you booked ? What are you waiting for ! Sales are abundant !




What most of us in the travel industry has heard, since the turn of the year, is Europe-Europe-Europe !

Why Europe for 2016 ?

Every years, it seems like, a specific destination is predicted as being the “hottest” traveled that year.  So again, what we’re hearing this year, is Europe.

 
Two Travel Fanatics say:   What is it about Europe that brings traveller’s back time and time again? For me I love getting lost in the history of the past there. Living in the U.S. anything over 200 years old are very few. In Europe every country has something ancient and interesting to explore … Another reason I love going to Europe is the scenery, where else can you find villages solidly built into the hillside? Down below are acres of vineyards with ancient rock buildings that used to store the harvest. Or driving through the snow-capped Alps in the winter with craggy mountain tops rising up to meet the stunning blue sky. My favorite is traveling by train passing through charming little towns with a steepled church in the main square. In the middle of town is a Roman bridge crossing over a flowing river . I also enjoy the high cliffs of Normandy on the coast of France while others like a stretch of beach and warm water to wade in. Imagine yourself sunning and swimming crystal clear Mediterranean waters in Mykonos, the Italian Riviera or even Split in Croatia. But then there is the food! There is something about Tuscany, I have never had a bad meal there, not even once! Savory Italian pasta’s are memorable and the best chicken marsala I’ve ever had was in Florence. I’m still dreaming about that meal!”.  Go here, read more of this article:  http://twotravelfanatics.com/2016/02/02/why-europe/

 
Cruise ?  By Land ?  Both ? Or River Cruising ?
So many choices !

It’s true.  The traveler today, has many options.

Cruising continues to be one of the most popular choices for seeing Europe !  Where you can
pack/unpack once, and yet travel to different destination, each morning you awake.  Where select cruise lines, will add a culinary flare and bring onboard, expertise lecturers for your enjoyment ! 

This year seems to be a race, as to which ships/itineraries will fill up first, by looking at all the cruise line sales.  In past years, my experience has seen Norwegian Cruise Line fill up the fastest, due to their already low costs ! 
Go here, see for yourself !  http://vwebb.cruisesinc.com/travel/promotion/europe-cruises.do

The Avid Cruiser states:  If any particular region of the world is best suited for cruising, it’s Europe. Whether you want to tour the Mediterranean or Northern Europe, cruising is the mode of transportation that provides the greatest exposure to destinations while eliminating logistical challenges. And no matter where your ship takes you, your lodging will be consistently comfortable, and dining will be sumptuous, plentiful and familiar … Such ease perhaps explains why there are more ships scheduled to cruise Europe  than ever before. Moreover, with a cruise, costs are known and controlled in advance, which is particularly helpful when budgeting for your travel”.
Read more of this article:  http://www.avidcruiser.com/port-profiles/europe/

Preferred Vendors:  Today, most all name brand cruise lines are traveling to Europe.  And many have GREAT SALES going on !

 
Europe by land, has been popular for years !  #1 choice is escorted tours !  Yet companies such as Monograms, can provide the traveler with their own freedom !

Globus says, “Escorted tours are just another way to say "perfectly planned".
Why not picture an organized jaw-dropping, stress-free getaway. From transportation to hotels; and from researching must-see attractions to organizing daily schedules !  Planning such a vacation is no easy task.  That's where escorted tour packages come in. With escorted travel, you sit back and leave everything to the land operators expertise !  Let a professional handle all the details, logistics, and scheduling of your escorted tour for you”. When Globus envision the perfect vacation, they see great hotels, amazing food, incredible sightseeing, and above all, they imagine creating memories galore!   

Few preferred Land Tour Operators:  Adventures by Disney, American Airline Vacations, Avanti Destinations, CIE Tours, Europe Express, Collette, Globus/Cosmos/Monograms, Tauck, Trafalgar
 

Why  not both !  Combine a cruise with a pre-post land package.  Select land tour operators, such as Globus, can plan your pre/post cruise experience in your embarkation/disembarkation port.

 
Then there’s the benefits of choosing your adventure by way of River Cruising.
As River Cruise Advisor states:  “For many travelers, the slow chug along the river is just the right pace for getting the lay of the land. Sitting on the top deck of a ship under brilliant blue skies, you gaze on fabled landscapes dotted with castles, villages and vineyards. A flight of stairs down, and you have all the amenities of a modern hotel — restaurants, bars, lounges, fitness facilities, spas, internet access and comfortable staterooms …. River cruises offer opportunities to step ashore in fairy tale towns and fabled cities. Immerse yourself in contemporary culture, and learn something about the history of the towns along the Continent’s greatest rivers”.
Read more of this article: http://www.avidcruiser.com/port-profiles/europe/

Few preferred Vendors (ABC order):  AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and Viking.

 
If you’re thinking Europe 2016 … And not yet booked … Call me TODAY !
(434/800) 237-3832
2016 seems to be the “hottest year” yet !
Where do you want to go ?  How do you want to get there ?