EBR Travel

03/17/2025

We had a lovely day in Melk, Austria. This town in the Wachau Vallley is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a stop included on many Danube itineraries.

From port to the center of town is a 10 minute walk. The town is dominated by an abbey that is just gorgeous!

We enjoyed a small group shore excursion to make pastries, which were divine. Despite my torn dough… more room for the filling! We continued on to a local bee farm where we learned about and sampled lots of local honey products. This excursion was very much in demand, and we could see why!

Once we returned to the ship, we had a brisk walk into the very picturesque town. We’re so glad to have enjoyed Melk today!

03/17/2025

Good morning from the Danube River! Part 2 of our expo brings us onboard the incredible Riverside Luxury Cruises for a 4-night itinerary on the Danube.

Some may recognize the seahorse logo. Riverside took over the Crystal River Cruise product, and the level of luxury is everything you’d expect from that brand. This ship is the second widest on the Danube, and feels more like a small ocean vessel in many ways. We crossed our first lock last night, about 2 hours after departing Vienna, and you can see how well spaced the ship is in the lock!

We’ll be sharing a lot more from Riverside these next few days!

Edited to add: How am I getting any work done?! Taking breaks to view the scenery, drink Weiner Melange, and network with advisor and Riverside colleagues.

❤️

03/12/2025

Kicking off ASTA river Cruise Expo 2025! We are completely geeking out at the 12+ river cruise ships stacked up at the port, and the educational agenda for the next four days.

But especially excited that our first event of the day was a ship tour of the AMA Magna, the widest ship on the Danube. This is the cruise ship style of the future, with twice the width of the customary “longship” but only 192 passengers onboard. Four restaurants, two libraries, a cinema, a permanent pickleball court, lots of public area, larger than usual staterooms, full balconies (vs French balcony), largest pool on the Danube, largest gym on the Danube, a lots of luxury touches throughout. Reach out if a Danube River cruise is on your wishlist, and let’s see if the AMA Magna is a good fit!

02/21/2025

Rachel and I are so excited to be heading to Vienna in a few weeks to attend the ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) River Cruise EXPO! We will be seeing and experiencing all of the major river cruise companies, touring and dining on different ships, attending various educational sessions and a trade show. We top it off with a short cruise on the Danube on the Riverside Mozart!

River Cruising is a great way to immerse yourself in a destination, with stops in large towns and small villages. Ships hold fewer than 200 passengers, and ports are often right in the middle of town. There are all levels from mid-range to luxury, with differences seen in the accommodations, dining, and excursions. The Rhine and the Danube are the two most popular European rivers, with many itineraries and ships on both, but river cruises are a great way to explore the wine country in Portugal, Provence, Normandy, Vietnam, Egypt, Columbia, the Mississippi and several other US rivers!

If river cruising is on your wish list, what are you most interested in hearing about? If you've done a river cruise in the past, what was your favorite part? We can't wait to share!

02/15/2025

Kicking off February Vacation week here in Massachusetts, and President's Weekend across the country. For some, that means heading out on vacation! For others, it means having some extra time to relax and talk about spring, summer, and fall vacations. We are here for it all!

Wishing our clients heading to Punta Cana, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Aruba, Paris, London, Italy, Iceland, and on multiple cruises a wonderful time relaxing and making memories!

And for those home in the snow and cold, EBR Travel is open all week and ready to help you get your next vacation booked!

01/16/2025

I love this! Holland America Line, for the third year in a row, is offering a 45-day Europe sailing that is round-trip New York City! Perfect for those with the time to do a relaxed tour, covering so many ports, from a US home port. Sailing October 8, 2026, this will be opening for sale tomorrow and is expected to book up quickly. Reach out if we can get you on this wonderful sailing!

01/03/2025

Travelers to the UK will need to apply for an electronic entry authorization effective for travel January 8. The cost is £10 pp and can quickly and easily be done through the website (or app) below. The authorization is good for two years.

For all travelers headed anywhere else in Europe, the similar ETIAS authorization is due to debut mid-year. It’s been delayed a few times already but will be required eventually.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2nFCc1IIM8NGH3OfIveaC6kYVzbJC78i37GLQ4iXllE8XHkXXW4TpfXxo_aem_yMjrdiZ2bqA6v0805JGe1w

Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply before coming to the UK.

01/03/2025

It's 2025! Happy New Year to all! I love your enthusiasm for travel so far, two days into the new year.

We are busy working on Caribbean and Europe ocean cruises, European river cruises, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Alaska, Aruba, St Lucia, Mexico, Punta Cana, Greece, Croatia, Christmas Markets 2025, Bora Bora, Italy, Italy, Italy, Italy, Italy, and Italy! There is a reason it is so popular... Italy is an amazing country. Jubilee will be drawing even more visitors than usual this year, and many of you want to be part of those numbers!

We also love that you are all planning ahead for summer and fall. Now is the time. There are three of us ready to plan your travel...get on our calendars soon and let's get your vacations booked!

12/24/2024

For those that have last minute shopping to do, give the gift of experience! Connect with loved ones while exploring the world or relaxing somewhere out of your routine. It's the best gift we can all give ourselves!

From all of us at EBR Travel, Wishing you all a joyous and peaceful holiday season, and a 2025 filled with adventure!

12/19/2024

For the Beaches Turks fans out there, I recently spent a few days and have some updates. The resort and grounds look beautiful, as always (with the added festivity of Christmas decorations at this time of year)!

This large resort is in the process of expanding, adding a village called Treasure Beach. Construction is ongoing, directly next to the Caribbean Village. Walking around there midday, there was not a huge noise issue, but construction noise does vary so it's important to know that this new section will not be opening until at least fall of 2025. There is talk of two new restaurants and a movie theater, but the Sales Office would not confirm much more, including what type of rooms. I am speculating that they will be larger villas, as have just opened at Beaches Negril.

The former Jerk Shack has been reimagined and relocated, and the Jerk Truck and neighboring The Dive bar are now located right next to the Dive Shop. Food is still very tasty, and I can personally vouch for the Caribbean Sling if you like fruity rum drinks!

In the Italian Village, JoJos Java and YoYos Froyo frozen yogurt shop are brand new. Both opened JUST after we left, so no firsthand feedback. YoYos is the same as at Beaches Negril, and it will be a great addition!

The "chair game" is no joke here. Butlers and individual guests are claiming chairs around most pools very early. It's frustrating, but unfortunately very common at many resorts in the Caribbean. There are some helpful tips and tricks to working within the system, depending on your goal for the day. Similarly, with no reservations taken, restaurant wait times can be long. But, with some planning and flexibility, you can eat everywhere you want (and there are A LOT of options!).

Beaches continues to be a wonderful family all-inclusive resort, on one of the best beaches in the Caribbean! If you're considering a Beaches Resort vacation, reach out and let us help you get there!

11/29/2024

The biggest shopping weekend of the year is upon us! And what is better right now than an experience gift, a chance to spend time together with loved ones, creating memories that will last longer than the latest tech device will??

If travel is on your gift list for the holidays, now is a great time to plan!

Whether you're dreaming of a sun-soaked beach escape, a relaxing cruise vacation, or a European adventure... there are many options out there for you! Escorted tours and cruises are offering some fantastic discounts for travel in 2025, and our Caribbean beach vacation partner companies and hotels are also extending some sales.

Take the stress out of holiday shopping and let us do the work for you!

11/28/2024

One of the Thanksgiving games at our family gathering was listing “I’m Thankful for A-Z.” Of course my mind goes to our big wide world, all the places I love, and all the places I’ve yet to go!

Had to add that I’m also very thankful for “all of you…” meaning my family. This also goes for all of you who have entrusted your exploration of the world to us. Grateful for another year of travel ahead!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

11/24/2024

Bermuda is less than a 2 hour flight from several East Coast gateways, making it the easiest destination for a tropical vacation!

I am fortunate to be the guest of the Bermuda Tourism Authority for a 3-night stay, and am SO happy to get back here for the first time in way too long!

This whirlwind, off-season, visit was a perfect time to see several hotels, explore the gorgeous beaches, try out the various modes of transportation, and thoroughly enjoy this gem of an island.

Bermuda has several luxury hotel options, as well as solid 4-star choices for couples and families, and a few moderate resorts that work well for families or adults looking for a less expensive stay. Bermuda is also a stop on several cruise itineraries, including the very popular Boston and NY departures that stay in port for 3 days.

Exploring the island and its many beaches is a must, and you can get around by taxi, public bus, a fantastic ferry system, or by renting a tiny electric Twizzy or Yo-Yo! Interestingly, non-residents are not allowed to drive a car in Bermuda, but these electric vehicles are a wonderful alternative!

In the high season, it’s a beach paradise, also offering watersports, boating activities, hiking, historical sites, shopping, excellent restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. In the off-season, it’s generally sunny and mild, and a great place to relax and unwind. And, of course, it is a golf haven year-round!

If you are looking for a quick getaway from the East Coast this winter or next year, let’s talk about if Bermuda is a good match. Enjoy these pictures of this lovely island, and reach out if we can help you plan your next tropical vacation!

11/03/2024

We arrived in Basel Switzerland bright and early, and the sun arrived with us! This morning’s bike excursion brought us to the borders of 3 countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany. We learned some history of the city and enjoyed some great views!

From there, we headed to Lucerne for the afternoon. We left the sun behind in Basel, unfortunately. Lucerne is a charming city on the water, and we had a fun few hours exploring. We stayed longer than the standard tour time and elected to take the train back, which is a great way to customize the cruise offerings.

Hard to believe our week on the Rhine is coming to an end! If you are considering a river cruise, let’s talk about what line and itinerary might be best for you!

11/02/2024

I love discovering new (to me) places that are now on my wishlist for more future travel! Strasbourg, France is one of those places. What a beautiful and complicated French and German city!

The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has switched back and forth between French and German rule for centuries, but they have a unique Alsatian culture that they identify with more. And their beautiful Gothic cathedral held the Worlds Tallest honor for 400 years.

We enjoyed a wonderful bike excursion followed by some time on our own (cathedral visit, cappuccino, pain chocolat, more exploring)… J’adore France!

Back on board the ship, we experienced crossing a few locks on the river, some quiet but chilly time on deck, and the Chef’s Table 7 course dining for dinner!

11/01/2024

Today’s adventure… a 20+ mile bike ride to the small village of Ladenburg. We started with highlights of the town of Mannheim, and then out to the countryside for the rest of the journey. We enjoyed time exploring the very old (dates are listed on the front of buildings!) town, and took advantage of an extra hour to enjoy the town and make our way back to the ship on our own. It was a good day. 🚲

10/31/2024

Very long day with so much going on. Tonight I commented on something that happened “the other day” but it was apparently just this morning!

Just before 8a, we entered the scenic Rhine Gorge, a 5 hour stretch with over 30 castles. Weather has been working against us, but we enjoyed time on deck listening to commentary of the passing scenery. No doubt the views would be better with sunshine, but experiencing them with overcast skies was still wonderful!

We then docked in the German town of Rudesheim, and started a vineyard hike excursion. It was great to listen to the guide share the history of this town of 10k residents that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year! We each continued on to an additional stop, as there was a beautiful monument in one direction and a convent in the other. I headed to the convent, which had a beautiful chapel. I loved learning the story behind the famous resident nun, while also enjoying the extra kms it took to get there through the peaceful vineyard!

Meeting back in town, Rachel and I had fun at a Biergarten tasting the local brew. Dinner on board was followed by a trip back into town to taste the local Rudesheimer Coffee (brandy plays a central role) and another walk around the charming town.

Finished it all off with a German Neil Diamond cover performer who sounded like the real thing! He performed on the ship that was decked out for Halloween. What a fun day!

10/30/2024

Our first stop on the Rhine was Cologne Germany. After sailing all morning, and sampling some German fare and beer at 11a as we passed into Germany, we arrived at 230p. We enjoyed a 2 hour bike tour, which was one of the included excursions. Our guide was fantastic and we got a great overview of this city, cycling through their large amounts of green space!

We then had time to explore on our own, and visited the Cologne Cathedral. This impressive structure is the third largest Gothic cathedral in the world. I would have loved to see it with the sun shining through the stained glass, but an overcast day and recent daylight savings time change in Europe gave us a dark view instead. It was still beautiful!

Fun fact about Cologne (per our tour guide): the 3rd largest Carnavale celebration is held here, beat out only by Rio de Janeiro and Venice! Who knew?!