Hawks Travels by Carolyn

12/25/2024

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a New Year brimming with unforgettable memories!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you all a joyful & gratitude-filled holiday season!
As the year winds down, i am reflecting on an eventful month filled with incredible moments: *Oasis (Norwegian Joy) & Signature (Las Vegas)Travel Agents conferences, our successful Annual Jazz@Ebenezer concert and lastly my Birthday. Thank you for all the love, joy & kindness you've shared- it truly means the world to me!

11/06/2024

Excitement is growing as we get closer to our departure date of 3/16/2025. Only one opening remains. Contact ne for more info.

A great day trip to take when visiting South Africa is a tour to Stellenbosch, the grand dame of Cape Winelands towns. With well over 100 wineries in the region, selecting just a few can be tricky. Taking a guided tour is one of the best ways to see the region and taste its selection of world-famous wines.
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Join our group as we visit Cape Winelands and other popular destinations during our South African tour from May 22 to June 4, 2024. Our 14 day land tour will include The Apartheid Museum, Safari with the Big 5, Soweto, Table Top Mountain and more! Contact me to learn more.

10/20/2024

A great day trip to take when visiting South Africa is a tour to Stellenbosch, the grand dame of Cape Winelands towns. With well over 100 wineries in the region, selecting just a few can be tricky. Taking a guided tour is one of the best ways to see the region and taste its selection of world-famous wines.
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Join our group as we visit Cape Winelands and other popular destinations during our South African tour from May 22 to June 4, 2024. Our 14 day land tour will include The Apartheid Museum, Safari with the Big 5, Soweto, Table Top Mountain and more! Contact me to learn more.

10/15/2024

From September to December every year, Japan's temples and ancient shrines are transformed by seas of crimson foliage. 🍁 🍂 🇯🇵
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Ninnaji Temple, a World Heritage Site, is known as one of Kyoto's best spots for autumn leaves.
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Japan in autumn is a must-see! Direct message or text me at 470-257-1310 to start booking your trip.

10/07/2024

Once upon an early trip, on a visit to Afghanistan, I was sitting in a Kabul cafeteria when a local man sat down next to me. He said, "You're an American, aren't you?" I said, "Yes," and he said, "Well, I'm a professor here in Afghanistan. I want you to know that a third of the people on this planet eat with spoons and forks like you, a third of the people eat with chopsticks, and a third of the people eat with fingers like me. And we're all civilized just the same."

As he clearly had a chip on his shoulder about this, I simply thought, "OK, OK, I get it." But I didn't get it…at least, not right away. Then, after leaving Afghanistan, I traveled through South Asia, and I decided to take his message to heart. I went to fancy restaurants filled with well-dressed professionals. Rather than providing silverware, they had a ceremonial sink in the middle of the room, so people could wash their hands and use their fingers for what God made them for. And I did the same.

That professor's hunch was right: I thought less of people who ate with their fingers. Then, through thoughtful travel, I learned otherwise.

By staying home, it's easy for us to cling to our fork-forward mindset, like I did. Home is convenient, familiar, and comfortable. But staying home also means eating the same food, going to the same places, and seeing the same people — who generally look and think a lot like you — over and over again. It's no wonder we tend to think we are the norm. By traveling, we open ourselves to new cuisines, new cultures, new ideas — even culture shock. And culture shock is a good thing…the growing pains of a broader perspective. It just needs curation. And at Rick Steves' Europe, equipping you with the tools to become a global citizen...that's just what we do.

In this month's edition of Travel News, I'm sharing my tips on traveling like a temporary local, celebrating thoughtful travel with a little video about why we travel, and giving you a rundown of the documents you'll need to travel to Europe next year. (Have you heard you can now renew your American passport online?) And Cameron Hewitt writes an ode to the cute cats he met on a recent trip to Greece. It’s all available right here: www.ricksteves.com/news.

My eating-with-my-fingers epiphany reminded me that I’m not just a citizen of the land I call home…but a citizen of a diverse planet where we’re all civilized just the same. And that, for me, is a souvenir worth taking home. We’d love to help you curate your travel dreams in 2025.

Keep on travelin’!

09/23/2024

With minimal light pollution and some of the largest expanses of dark sky in Europe, the breathtaking Aberdeenshire cliffs at Pennan and the secluded serenity of the Outer Hebrides offer some of the best places for stargazing, as well as hunting for the northern lights.
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Called ‘Mirrie Dancers’ as they are known locally, the auroral displays are best seen during autumn and winter seasons, when long periods of darkness and the frequency of clear nights provide the best experience.
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With less tourists, you can peacefully enjoy a winter's break in Edinburg. Visit the castle, take in the view from Calton Hill, and then warm up at a local pub.

09/18/2024

The holidays will be here soon. Get your holiday spirit in full gear while exploring the Christmas markets in Europe. Three festive places to travel this time of year are:
• The Christmas Holiday Market in Wroclaw, Poland is famous for its various flavoured mulled wines and the very cute Wroclaw gingerbread houses.
• The Traditional Christmas Market in Frankfurt is one of thelargest in Germany and most beautiful in all the land.
• The Old Town Square in Prague, Czech-Republic is a festive wonderland with endless entertainment, handmade gifts and local treats like klobasa (Czech sausage) and mulled wine.

09/14/2024

What is on your travel bucket list as a retiree? Whether you want to cruise in Antartica or take an African safari, let's get you booked with an amazing itinerary.

08/29/2024

Dubai, a dazzling Arabian gem, beckons with its record-breaking skyscrapers, luxurious hotels, and vibrant culture. Contact me to inquire about a Dubai adventure or click on the link below>>>

Welcome to Dubai – where anything is possible.

08/24/2024

Victoria BC, Canada is a city known for its incredible gardens, walkable streets, and unique British flair. Let's plan your stay!

Let Yourself Be Moved

08/18/2024

If you are looking for the ultimate river cruise to Old World European cities, AmaWaterways is a must! Get inspired with these trips to celebrate their anniversary>>>

Celebrate with savings on your next river cruise.

08/13/2024

With the year zipping by, it’s the perfect time to hit pause and get away on a refreshing break. Whether you’re indulging in some spa therapy, on an unplugged adventure in the jungle or simply lounging in a beach hammock, Fiji is the ideal spot to unwind and recharge your batteries. Come reboot in Fiji.

Whether you’re indulging in some spa therapy, on an unplugged adventure in the jungle or simply lounging in a beach hammock, Fiji is the ideal spot to unwind and recharge your batteries. Come reboot in Fiji.

08/07/2024

When your dream trip takes you around the world in a private jet to multiple culturally rich destinations, I can can give you some really amazing options. Look at these itineraries>>>

Explore culturally rich destinations and connect with history in a way you never dreamed possible. See the world in total comfort and ease, aboard a customized Airbus A321 with just 52 all-first-class seats and a dedicated team managing every detail on your behalf.

07/30/2024

Journey into Peru's Ancient Wonders
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A captivating destination nestled in the heart of South America, Peru has a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural wonders, including the legendary Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
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Visit https://sigtn.com/u/oVAsBRBB to book the ultimate experience or contact me.

07/15/2024

Even if you've been to Europe, you know there is always something else you wanted to see. Book a trip through me. Call or text 470-257-1310.