Our favorite things from Cruise World 2024

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Ahoy!

Last week, Grace and I participated in the annual Cruise World conference, returning home brimming with fresh ideas, inspiration, and valuable industry connections. We had the opportunity to hear from cruise line executives discussing the future of the cruising sector, including exciting announcements about new ships and destinations. We also attended peer-to-peer panels, gaining insights into various resources to enhance our business operations. Additionally, we explored the expansive tradeshow, where we engaged in one-on-one conversations with numerous cruise lines and other land-based suppliers. It was a lot to take in, and we felt exhausted each day; however, we managed to squeeze in a delightful detour to the Funky Buddha Brewery for some quality bonding and relaxation!

Below are the top five aspects that have us thrilled about the future of the travel industry (beyond just cruises). We would love to know what excites you the most!

Cheers!

Leila & Grace

P.S.: Don’t wait for the New Year frenzy—grab the planning reins for your next vacation now! Trust me, once January hits, my inbox turns into a tidal wave of requests - they actually call it “Wave Season”!

Here are our five key insights from Cruise World 2024!

  1. Explora Journeys - A new luxury small ship cruise line that embodies the atmosphere of a boutique hotel rather than that of a traditional cruise ship.

  2. Japan!  The idea of traveling to Japan always sparks excitement. We can tailor the land itinerary just like I do for Europe, or explore some thrilling new cruise itineraries.

    (FYI: The exchange rate is in our favor at the moment!)

  3. Culinary choices available on ships and at resorts or hotels have significantly improved. Dining on board is no longer reminiscent of the 80s or 90s (or even the 2010s!) —so if you haven't cruised since then, you'll be amazed at the changes! Partnerships with chefs such as James Beard, Michel Roux Jr, Jamie Oliver, Jacques Pépin and others can now be found at sea!

  4. New Megaships - There are two main trends in the cruise industry - smaller ships and larger ships. Royal Caribbean is the leading cruise line when it comes to the megaships - they truly do have something for everyone (great for multi-generational vacations like family reunions!) Here’s a look at Royal Caribbean’s new Icon of the Seas which is sailing now!

  5. Small Ships - On the other end of the spectrum, we have small ships – a new fleet of compact cruise ships set to launch over the next few years. Small ships typically accommodate fewer than 1,000 passengers, with some options available for even fewer than 300. Stay tuned as we will explore some of these ships in more detail in future newsletters!

Reasons to go to Croatia

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Reasons to go to Croatia

Once a “secret”, Croatia is quickly rising as one of the most popular places to visit in Europe. It is a stunningly beautiful country with gorgeous water views, historical towns, natural parks and so much more. Take a look at why we love Croatia and then let us help you plan your ideal vacation to this amazing European country!

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Top reasons to visit Berlin

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Berlin is an awesome city in northern Germany. It has been largely rebuilt since the falling of the Berlin Wall so you can expect a very modern city which still has historical sights and monuments as well. Take a look at other reasons we love this city!

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Why do I love Munich?

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Munich is one of our very favorite European cities. There’s gorgeous architecture, an amazing food market, world-class museums and historical sights and of course, beer gardens!

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Where to find the best pannenkoeken in Amsterdam

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Where to find the best pannenkoeken in Amsterdam

You may have enjoyed a short stack (or two) but have you tried a pancake from the Netherlands? These pancakes are called pannenkoeken, or pannenkoek if you are talking about one of them. But after trying a Dutch pancake, you will probably want more than one! They are thinner than American pancakes but not quite as thin as a crepe. They can be eaten with sweet or savory items/fillings and can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack between meals. Let’s look at where to get the best pannenkoeken in Amsterdam.

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Experience luxury in Tuscany

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Experience luxury in Tuscany

Picture a lush green countryside with rolling hills. Smell the faint scent of delicate roses growing in the garden. Listen to the soft flow of a water fountain. Taste some artisanal cheese from the Borgo sheep or a vegetable picked from the culinary garden. Feel the dough as you learn how to make a pizza at Borgo Cooking School.

At Borgo Santo Pietro in Tuscany, Italy you can do so much while receiving 5-star service at one of Italy’s most luxurious hotels.

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Gluten free in Italy? Si!

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Gluten free in Italy? Si!

Although it is important to say “ciao” (“hello”) and you want to ask “quanto costa?” (how much does it cost?”), the most important question to know if you are a celiac traveling in Italy is “è questo senza glutine?” (“is this without gluten?”). And thankfully due to the country embracing the dietary restrictions that come with this auto-immune disease, the answer is often a resounding “si!” (That’s a YES!)

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Highlights of 2018's trip to Ireland and the UK

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Highlights of 2018's trip to Ireland and the UK

We spent the summer of 2018 exploring Ireland and the four countries that make up the United Kingdom - England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. We spent the majority of our time in Ireland and Scotland, and we have a hard time choosing what our favorite was. Everywhere we went we enjoyed delicious local cuisine, yummy whiskey/whisky’s, beautiful nature and interesting historical sights. It was quite the adventure at times (driving on the left on the skinniest roads and getting stuck behind a rogue sheep are just two examples!) It was a great experience and we can’t wait to go back. Here’s a look at where we went/what we did.

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Where does your airline food come from?

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Where does your airline food come from?

I’ll be perfectly honest. We’ve never been big fans of airline food. I usually take a backpack full of snacks to make up for what we don’t/won’t eat on the plane. Just the smell of the food, and something about the coffee, often makes me nauseous. My husband has refused meals as he can’t stand the smell either (which always confuses the flight attendants).

But this past summer, we flew Lufthansa business class and something miraculous happened. We both ate our meals…

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Back to Bruges

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Back to Bruges

There are some towns that I'd happily return to again and again, and Bruges is one of them. Bruges (also known as Brugge in French) is a medieval town in western Belgium. It is small enough to easily walk around and while it does attract its fair share of day-trippers, if you linger for a night or two you will see the real charm of Bruges shine through.

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Eating (and drinking) your way through Amsterdam

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Eating (and drinking) your way through Amsterdam

One of my favorite things to do wherever I am is to eat (and drink) the local specialties - you probably also agree if you have found this article. This is a great way to live like a local. Amsterdam is a very multi-cultural destination with a huge variety of different ethnic cuisines as well as local specialties. Here are some of my favorites:

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"I want to go everywhere..."

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"I want to go everywhere..."

I sometimes get requests for Europe from potential clients who want to see "everything" or go "everywhere". After I groan a bit (sorry - but I am being honest) I then say, "Great! Sounds fabulous. How long do you have to travel?"

"We have a week, maybe ten days."

I then take a deep breath and start explaining how that it is not possible to "see everything" in 7-10 days. Europe is a small continent but not THAT small.

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Vegetarian eats in Europe

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Vegetarian eats in Europe

Finding vegetarian friendly restaurants in Europe isn't too difficult. Actually, in most cities and larger towns it is quite easy. Many restaurants will indicate on the menu which items are meat-free or even vegan but some smaller towns (looking at you France) I have been served meat in dishes even after telling the waiters (in their language) that I don't eat meat. I have learned that I have to say "no chicken, no pig, no cow, no fish" for them to fully understand what no meat means. Or when in doubt I stick to pizza and cheese omelettes.

Even though I have a vegetarian diet, I am not a huge fan of "vegetarian/vegan only" restaurants.

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Sail through France on a river cruise

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Sail through France on a river cruise

Trains are great in Europe. They are quick and efficient. They get you from point A to B in a blur. Which sometimes that is what you want. But sometimes you may want a more relaxed and slower pace. And a slow relaxed pace is definitely what river cruising can offer.

Imagine being able to check-in to your floating hotel for at least 7-nights knowing that you will get to visit many places and see beautiful scenery without having the hassle of packing your bags every few days.

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Private wine tasting in Tuscany

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Private wine tasting in Tuscany

Our day consisted of visiting two different wineries, lunch at a local "off-the-beaten" path restaurant in a tiny tiny village as well as exploring hilltop towns as we went. Our wine expert guide, Davide, is from Cortona so not only is experienced with the best wineries to visit in the area but also which back roads to use to get there and where the scenic views are to stop at en route. We just sat back, relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

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Drinks with a view in Amsterdam

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Drinks with a view in Amsterdam

I'm not usually keen on heights but I do love a good cityscape so when I heard there was a SkyLounge bar in Amsterdam I knew I had to try it. Turns out the SkyLounge isn't that high up - I believe it was the 15th floor - so it didn't cause any dizziness or vertigo. It is located on the top floor of the Doubletree by Hilton which is walking distance from Centraal Station conveniently located near the cruise ship port.

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Beyond Paris: Where to go in France

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Beyond Paris: Where to go in France

You probably want to visit France but aren’t sure what part of France to go to. You may want to see chateaus, go wine tasting or participate in a cooking class. But where to do that? The choices can be overwhelming so I've put together a handy quick reference guide to the most popular regions of France.

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