Faugh A Ballagh Travel

09/06/2024

09/06/2024

Travel Lovers - have you ever thought of visiting a handful of the many Croatian Islands by sea? I had the opportunity this past week to do just that, aboard a private yacht charter.... and I can honestly tell you, these pictures don't even remotely do it justice. We had such a wonderful time that we want to re-charter the 18-cabin yacht in 2026.

The cabins will be first come, first served. Right now, I'm taking names of those interested (no commitment) - so don't miss out on getting on the list for this amazing Adriatic Sea Croatian Cruise. Once the 2026 dates come out (we're targeting early June 2026), We'll offer cabins to those on the interest list in the order of names received.

Once we've confirmed a charter, we'll need to confirm your interest with a non-refundable deposit to secure your cabin.

Cruise includes breakfasts & lunches (along with an entertaining Captains dinner).

18/05/2024

Attention retired and active duty military members!! Are you interested in an European River cruise on AMAWaterways? In appreciation of your military service, AMA is offering special TWO for ONE pricing on select itineraries this summer (Jun - Aug) on the Rhine, Danube and a few cruises in France.

Got your attention? Reach out for a quote today!

https://www.amawaterways.com/military

16/05/2024

Fellow travel enthusiasts! Here we go again! I have reserved group space on the AMAWaterways AmaDante for a River Cruise - Impressions on the Seine & Paris in October of 2025. Join me for a 7-night cruise from Le Havre to Paris (with pre and post-cruise options) - Visits include wine tastings, castle tours, Monet gardens and Normandy Beaches.

And if you reserve your cabin by June 30th, you will save $500.00 per person on your cruise fare!

Cruise fares start at $3,899 per person/double occupancy.

Optional Land Packages
Pre-cruise 1 Night Paris/3 Nights St Malo from $1,840 per person,

Post-cruise 2 Nights Paris from $980 per person

If you're interested, please let me know and I'll forward a flyer with all the details!

21/04/2024

Looking for a more active European River cruise? Check out "Backroads" - bike by day (self and power-assist), cruise by night!

21/04/2024

How's the food on a River Cruise? Look for yourself!

21/04/2024

Beautiful Amsterdam is where our group started and concluded our 7-night AMA Waterways Tulip Time cruise on the beautiful AMA Mora. Interested? Ask me how!

21/04/2024

Loved the town of Delft and the lovely blue and white porcelain pottery it's know for, even visited the Royal Delft Museum!

21/04/2024

I got a tour of a beautiful windmill in the Netherlands - still in operation!

21/04/2024

What do 7 million tulips look like in peak bloom? Hard to describe! I got to tour Kuekenhof Gardens in Amsterdam last week as part of my Tulip Time AMA Cruise.

20/03/2024

Wow! I left Iceland one-day too early. The lights came out to play the night we left. Not my photo, but wow! Land of fire and ice!

20/03/2024

Woohoo!! The newest Disney ship from the Triton Class announced its name today - the Disney Destiny! The ship also reached a new construction milestone today with her keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Keel laying is a maritime tradition designed to bestow good luck upon the ship.

Delivery for Disney Destiny is scheduled for 2025.

15/03/2024

I guess it’s easy to see why they call this place Blue Lagoon! We were fortunate we were able to go - drove past smoking lava and over a bridge build over the washed out road, but we made it! Such an unusual experience to be hot water during a snow storm. Swim up bar and swim up facial bar were enjoyable. You can even get a floating massage here!

14/03/2024

Surprise, Surprise, this time it’s not a cruise! Anyone want to venture a guess as to where I’m off to this time?

03/01/2024

Did you know...Arthur Guinness was just 34 when he signed the iconic 9,000-year Guinness lease, on a then-disused brewery site on 31 December 1759 for an annual rent of £45?

Talk about a real estate deal! I've had the opportunity to tour the brewery in Dublin and even earned a "perfect pour" certificate after pouring a perfect Guinness! Is Ireland on your bucket list?

31/12/2023

As a degreed Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, I can't help but be partial to cruising! I am impressed at how quickly large cruise ships come together. For example, the new Disney Treasure laid her keel on March 30, 2023 and just a few weeks ago completed the loading of its last construction block. The ship is being built at Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany and will make her maiden voyage next December (2024)!

Pictures below are of the Treasure's construction and keel stepping ceremony - a tradition rich in Naval History by placing a coin in the ship's keep for good fortune for the ship and her crew.

31/12/2023

Happy 123123 Day! As we close out 2023, I can't help but to reflect on what a good year it's been (frankly, after getting through 2020, it's not a high bar to cross, but still)! 2023 found us (collectively) in Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States to include rail tours through fall foliage, weddings in Charleston and Football games in the deep South. From planes, trains and automobiles.... we've stepped out of our norms (maybe even comfort zones), and got to enjoy some of what this world has to offer, experienced new things and made the most of celebrations with family and friends. Thank you. It's been a pleasure to help you make your travel adventures a reality and I've enjoyed accompanying some of you along the way. (I even got to check off a bucket list item with Portugal this past year in sailing the Douro River.)

So, as we ready for 2024 and of its promise, I am excited to continue to expand our horizons to Iceland, Croatia and the rivers in Europe and the US.

So, as you think about your New Year's Eve resolutions and adventures yet to come, I have just one question for you....

What's on your Bucket List?

28/12/2023

It's not too late! There are still a few cabins left, if you're interested in joining us for a TULIP TIME cruise on the beautiful AMAWaterways AMA Mora. Departing/Returning from/to Amsterdam APRIL 8-15, 2024! I can offer additional group savings of $500/cabin (and military discounts of an additional $100/military ID holder). Rates below are per person/double occupancy.

Only one cabin left in these categories!
AB - French & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft. $5,922.00
BA - French & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft. $5,722.00
BB - French & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft. $5,522.00

Four Cabins remaining!
D - Fixed Window, 160 sq. ft. $3,922.00

Fare includes: Meals (plus Chef's table dining), unlimited wine/beer at meals (champagne breakfasts), daily free cocktail hour, and all excursions!

They say... Ocean cruising takes you to destinations, but river cruising takes you through them.

Are you tempted?

09/10/2023

Don't miss out - space is running out! I can still offer a $500 discount per cabin off the below, posted rates (cabin rates are per/person for double occupancy - single supplements are available).

Mark your calendars and Save the Date APRIL 8th, 2024 for a Tulip Time cruise on AMA Waterways - starts and ends in Amsterdam.
Cruise includes meals, entertainment, beer, wine and excursions! Rates start at about $3700/person. Your choice of excursion includes something active (biking/hiking), city tours/wine tastings or even an option for gentle walkers. Oh, and let's not forget about diamonds in Antwerp, Chocolates in Belgium and of course, Tulips throughout the Netherlands! Cabins are double occupancy and can be held with a $400 deposit/person. Final payments not due for quite some time! Oh, and did I mention, AMA Waterways has been inducted into the La Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs society - the river cruising equivalency of a Michelin star and this cruise also includes a complementary Chef's Table dinner to experience fine dining? For my engineering friends - The Dutch and Belgian Waterways are dam controlled, so we don't have to worry about issues with high or low water! The number of cabins is limited, so please let me know if you are interested.

22/09/2023

Do you get to try lots of wine on a wine cruise in France - yes!

22/09/2023

Lost in Bordeaux - what a beautiful city.

21/09/2023

Day 7 - good morning from Bordeaux! This morning we ventured off the ship for an early morning walk to the oldest bakery in France - where they’ve been using the same wood fire oven since 1765, Au Petrin Moissanais, Le pain gascon!

20/09/2023

Day 6 - A day spent discovering Bordeaux (and avoiding all the preparations for the visiting King of England). We sampled at a local food market, found an old submarine repair dock (where they repaired Italian subs during WWII) and a very artsy wine museum. We concluded with a night sail on the Garonne and waved to a British frigate!

20/09/2023

Goodnight moon, Goodnight Bordeaux, Goodnight vineyards everywhere.

19/09/2023

Day 5 - (my favorite thus far). This morning we cruised to Cadillac ("cady ak") and toured the historic castle of Roquetallade (which is still inhabited by family) and tasted the sweet, Sauternes wines from a nearby 2-star Michelin chateau (BnB/restaurant), Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey (perhaps you've heard of their crystal?). Gourmet aperitifs and wine tasting in 180 euro glasses! Quite exquisite!

19/09/2023

Day 4 - Today we visited Fort Medoc, France and the famed Gironde estuary. We toured the Chateau Gruaud Larose vineyard - where I learned the vineyard can deploy a large sonic "boom" via a hail cannon - which is a cone-shaped cannon that discharges an explosive charge of acetylene gas and air into the atomsphere to recreate a reverberating whistling sound of a 200 mph shockwave used to discrupt and prevent hail storms to protect the crops (see the black tower).

18/09/2023

Day 3 - Today we toured a 17th century Citadel designed by the famous military engineer, Vauban, in the town of Blaye, France. (Let me tell you, touring this fortress with two retired, military US Army officers provided quite the history lesson!). Our poor tour guide didn't stand a chance! We ended the day in Bourg with a wine festival and wonderful French entertainment.

PS - Credit for photo one is to my friend, Samantha!

16/09/2023

Day 2 - we toured a beautiful bed and breakfast chateau (with amazing 5-mile long underground limestone quarry used to store more than 800,000 bottles of wine!) The Chateau de la Riviere is worth a visit and stay if you are ever in the Bordeaux region! Happy to say we shipped a case home from this lovely vineyard!

In the morning, we had an opportunity to watch the "Mascaret" - tidal bore - where the tide rushes in from the Atlantic and changes the river current direction! For this evolution, the ship has to undock and ride out the tide before nesting back to the pier. Mother Nature is fascinating!

16/09/2023

We had a lovely first day of cruising Dordogne River from Bordeaux to Libourne where we toured a beautiful, small French city with an underground monolithic church in Saint-Emilion. From there we stopped at a Chateau (they are many!) to enjoy some local wines before returning to the ship for our upscale Chef's table dinner - good food, great wine, and best friends! They we danced the night away until the wee hours and saw the city of Libourne lit up at night - simple beautiful!