Wincor Custom Travel and Cruise

10/01/2022

Fog rolling in Aptos! Tomorrow is Poodle Days in Carmel! Usually over 500 poodles of all sizes and types!

09/03/2022

Many have asked what I learn from attending the American Society of Travel Advisor Global Convention that was held last week. The Global Convention highlights recent activities in government that impacts Suppliers, Agents and Agencies, Consumers and others in the travel industry. Major airlines, hotels, resorts and others attend the supplier show and sessions. Its and opportunity to interact with leaders in the travel industry.
We learn about updates from the cruise lines, airlines, etc. This year a focus was on sustainability. Airlines talked about changes with the aircraft such that planes require less fuel but are more efficient. New types of fuel are leading the way on zero omissions. Suppliers talked of their resorts being more mindful of materials being used and how they deal with food and others related things
We got updates from most of the River and Ocean cruise lines. Many new ships and new locations for sailing. They also talked of future cruise locations and specials that they will be offering. Sustainability is also critical for the cruise lines.
As always the speakers talked of how it is best for clients to talk to a travel advisor when planning a trip and booking their travel adventure. All of the speakers talked about utilizing the expertise that advisors have such as knowing the best rooms to meet client needs, access to the latest special pricing, ability to plan out activities (such as cooking classes, private tours, and winery tasting tours).

As a Certified Travel Advisor (CTA) with ASTA) its worth it for me to attend these conventions

07/02/2022

06/18/2022

Hello Followers! Before I even finish with getting my photos together from our recent two trips I wanted to give you an overview of the trips!

Trip 1 - This was a Travel Advisors River Cruise Expo held in Budapest Hungary. First of its kind! Maureen and I ventured 4 days early to this event as we had not been to Hungary before. I hired a private guide through a local recommend agency that was supporting the Expo. Highly recommend doing this in a place that is unfamiliar and with a driver you can easily venture out of the area. We explored many places and then the Expo! Where the Advisors were able to tour 7 river cruise ships, taste their food with either a lunch or dinner, and via a trade show got to meet with their execs and other lines that were in attendance. After the Expo we took the double-wide AMA Magna up the Danube to Vilhofen Germany. Stops were many along the river, such as Bratislava, Vienna, and Passau. I took many pictures of the rooms on all the ships we visited let me know if you want to see any! After the Danube Cruise we flew to Croatia for a land tour and ship inspection of the Katarina lines vessels. Our tour went from the Capital of Zagreb down to Dubrovnik. Stops included two Unesco World Heritage National Parks, Split, Stone and a few other towns. Croatia is truly beautiful even in late winter! Katarina lines did an outstanding job with guides and drivers. If you want any info about Trip 1 let me know.

Trip 2 - We just got back from a 28 day combination land and river cruise tour. This trip started with an 8 day land tour that included the delayed Passion Play from 2020. Also included were Vienna, Salzburg, Castle Neuschwanstein, Munich, and Zurich. Our tour Director from Scenic cruises was outstanding! Then we picked up the Scenic Pearl in Bern Switzerland. This was a 14 day cruise up the Rhine and Mosel rivers with an end location of Amsterdam. Site included the Delta Works storm surge system outside of Vere Netherlands, Antwerp, Strasbourg, Dusseldorf, Heidelberg, and many others. The Mosel offered not only great Riesling wines, but castles, vineyards and lovely small towns. There were many tour options offered at each port, so we picked places we had not visited. Scenic also had electric bikes for both tours, and general use. I would be happy to share any insights about either of these trips. Let me know! Photos in a week...I hope!

05/16/2022

A few guided days in Vienna before the start of the Scenic Cruise and Land Tour including the Passion Plsy in Oberammergau!! Stay tuned!

04/25/2022

Its been awhile since I have posted here. We have been busy traveling! First time in over a year or so. These photos are from the ASTA first ever River Cruise Expo that was held in Budapest Hungary. Maureen and I spent time touring Budapest and surrounding towns/ Post Expo we tools an AMA Waterways river cruise on the Danube aboard the amazing AMA Magna. Lastly we took a private tour with Katarina Lines in Croatia. An amazing diverse country...great food, wine, people, and sites! Hope you enjoy the photos!

11/01/2021

02/12/2021

Wincor Custom Travel and Cruise has a brand new web site. Go check it out and let us know how you like it! wincortravel.com

Easy Travel Free of Worries At Wincor Custom Travel, our approach to customer service is to ensure that all the “t’s” are crossed and “i’s” dotted. We double check each element of your trip so that you do not have to worry about a lost reservation, …. be

08/29/2020

So I have tossed in a few pictures to engage those of you who would like to start to plan a future trip in 2021 or 2022. You can reach out at [email protected] Note that many of the smaller ship cruises are wonderful and spacious, and even the Expedition cruises are amazing and intimate (all be it requiring a bit more willingness to do more physical things).
Remember that I dont deal in travel where the experiences are ones that I have not done myself.

Steve

08/29/2020

King Penguin

08/29/2020

Galapagos!

08/28/2020

So I spent all week in a global travel conference learning new things. A lot of discussion on when things will open up, and about safety procedures. You should know that some locations are opening up in place like Tahiti, Croatia, and soon to be in the Galapagos. But changes to accommodations, and transportation to get to some places is also changing. Stay tuned for more info!

08/28/2020

So it's been awhile since I posted. I hope all of you are staying Safe and Healthy! Since the end of last year we have gone to the Galapagos Islands on Silver Seas Expedition ship, and to South America and Antarctica on Seabourn Expedition ship. I have posted a few of the pictures from those trips. As you may know my focus is travel planning, and now is a great time to plan trips since we are currently in a state of unknown with the Pandemic. Maybe some of the pictures I will be posting will have your thinking about someplace to go mid 2021!

03/29/2019

Just got back from a trip to experience Alaska during the Winter time! I have attached some awesome photos. Alaska is really a year round destination. Talk to me about going there anytime as I am a specialist in the State!

02/28/2019

Some photos from the trip ...Swimming with the Whale Shark in La Paz, SF layover Coit Tower Sunset, LaPaz Sunset, Evening in San Diego

02/28/2019

Well we are back from our trip on Crystal Cruise Line. It was a round trip LA Coastal California and Mexico. What a great experience on the Serenity. Great food, service, super Enrichment Program, outstanding lecturers, all inclusive OnBoard (not excursions). We would do another cruise with them. The ports we had been to in the past other than La Paz. Some select pictures will be posted. Next major cruise will be on Silverseas for the Galapagos Islands in Dec 2019.

01/08/2019

09/17/2018

Photos from DC and the Bahamas...just a few

09/17/2018

Just a small sampling of photos from this summers Alaska trip!

09/17/2018

Hello Fellow Travelers!
I am finally back from back to back trips! As you all know I specialize in Alaska (as well as other fun locations) and we selected this as our family vacation sight. We started in Fairbanks as we wanted our family (including our Granddaughter) to experience the beauty of Northern Alaska. She got to experience hiking with reindeer (Running Reindeer Ranch), feeding sled dogs (Just Short of Magic), sitting in natural hot springs and an “Ice House” (Chena Hot Springs), and Denali National Park to name a few of the places we went to. I will post some photos!
Following our stop in Fairbanks was a few days in Anchorage. We went to a few museums and walked around this lovely town. Then off to Seward to catch our Seabourn 14 day cruise (Salmon Berry did our transfer which included some great sights and lunch!). The cruise was simply amazing. This 474 passenger ship was small enough to get into all the small islands and even had Zodiacs and kayaks off the back of the ship. It was all inclusive so it really was a no worries trip. From the room, dining, staff, and all the other elements it was outstanding. The First Nation stops and events were very special. Finally we docked in one of my favorite cities Vancouver! We toured the Aquarium, the market, and many other places.
Our most recent trip was to Washington DC for a travel agent convention. Managed to get some touring in…National African American Museum, American Indian Museum, National Mall area, and the new Air and Space Museum that has the Shuttle, and SR71. The conference was followed by a 7 day cruise to the Bahamas on the Carnival Pride. With nearly 3000 passengers it was a change from our Seabourn I honestly believe that some people spend enough to warrant going on an all-inclusive cruise line. While kid friendly may not be these high-end ships I think there are so many options that only a Travel Advisor can help select the best fit.
Next on our trip list is back to Alaska for a Winter experience in Fairbanks for the World Ice Sculpting Competition and Aurora Watching. Maybe a TBD for Galapagos. In 2020 a River Cruise and the Passion Play in Oberammergau and Antarctica on a 21 day cruise around the South America.

Please contact me at [email protected] for any of your travel needs in 2019!