Alexandra Wisotsky - Travel Advisor with Shoreline Destinations

27/08/2024

Currently planning a client's trip to Southern Italy and it got me thinking about my visit there almost 2 years ago. Definitely time to go back!

Contact me and lets get planning your dream vacation!

22/08/2024

I love taking cooking classes when I travel. No better way to discover the local cuisine.

20/08/2024

This local jeweler in the village of Sirince, Turkey, made all of the jewelry for the movie Troy!

16/08/2024

Opa!

14/08/2024

Did you catch my Olympic triumph? 🤣

This is the first Olympic stadium of the modern games (1896). Very cool that you can run on the track. The thrones you see were for the Greek King and Queen, and were later moved along the side when much of the action moved to that area.

There is also a cool little museum that includes all of the Olympic torches and posters from the first modern games until Paris 2024!

13/08/2024

Ok here we go. This is why you were all really following along, right? 😉

The Acropolis (and Parthenon specifically) are stunning. The surviving statues, reliefs, etc. are all housed in the wonderful Acropolis Museum in Athens or at the British Museum in London.

When visiting this ancient site pre-purchase your tickets (I can package them with a whole customized trip), and go as early as possible to avoid most of the heat and the crowds.

12/08/2024

The Greek guards in front of the Parliament building and the Presidential Palace are famous for their unusual marching technique (video to come next week).

What is amazing to me is that they do this in slow motion after having stood motionless for an hour. That kind of strength and stamina is just incredible.

11/08/2024

Another day, another Greek island.

Pretty Mykonos with its labyrinth of tiny streets, windmills and stunning beaches. The vibe here is beach all day and party all night.

The party scene is intense and attracts celebrities and “regular people” alike. Just be prepared to pay for the privilege of partying alongside the rich and famous.

10/08/2024

There are no words to describe the beauty and charm of Santorini. Located in the caldera of an ancient volcano its crescent moon shape creates and white houses and blue-roofed churches make post-card perfect pictures in every direction.

There are also few words to describe the crowds. Getting out of Oia and off the beaten path is the best possible option. There are many beautiful and less crowded parts of the island.

Fira, where the cruises tender to, is located on a mountaintop and is accessible only by gondola or a 500+ staircase. The lines for the gondola are long and slow moving, and the stairs can be tiring both up and down. But the views are well worth a visit.

If you opt for the stairs in either direction, please do not ride the mules or donkeys! These animals are not well cared for. I watched them in the hot sun all day without access to good shelter or water, taking tourists up and and down the steps. There is an organization in the UK acting as a watchdog against this abuse. https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/about-us/our-international-work/donkeys-in-santorini

Time your visit and pack your patience (and extra water) to get up and down via the gondola or by walking.

09/08/2024

Another port stop in Turkey, this time Kusadasi. This is where you visit if you want to see Ephesus, some of the most extraordinary Roman ruins I have ever scene.

Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire, and an extremely important port as evidenced by the vast wealth of the citizens.

Then onto the gorgeous traditional village of Sirince, a maze of stone streets and shops as nestled in the hillside.

Turkey, what little we have seen of it, has been beautiful and I hope to come back one day!

08/08/2024

This evening I spent some time in the Ice Bar on the NCL Getaway. For a small fee you get to dress up in a cape and drink vodka cocktails in a room while lounging on a throne made of ice. It was a super cool experience (pun intended)!

07/08/2024

Turkey is a Muslim country (albeit a secular one). Still, the call to prayer can be heard from the mosques 5 times a day (can you hear it over the wind?)

This stop in Bodrum, (playground of the rich and famous), was a change from the original cruise itinerary, but what a fantastic one it was! I would come back here in a heartbeat!

07/08/2024

It is my first time in Turkey and Bodrum is a great place to start. It is the playground of the rich and famous (think Cannes, Ibiza, Monaco).

Spent the day sailing on a gullet (a traditional Turkish boat) and even got to swim (float really, it is so salty) in the impossibly blue waters. The Castle of St Peter was also really interesting.

06/08/2024

The Palace of Knossos outside of Heraklion, Crete (of the Minotaur and laberynth fame) is a spectacular remnant of the ancient Minoans. The Minoans pre-dated the ancient Greeks, yet had sophisticated buildings, art, music, games, and communities. Their written language remains
undeciphered, so much that is known about them is speculation by archeologists.

05/08/2024

Spent the morning kayaking around part of the coast of Rhodes. Incredible way to see the island!

05/08/2024

Spent the afternoon visiting the Grand Master’s Palace, the administrative center of the Order of the Knights of St. John (1309-1522). It is in incredible condition for such an old building thanks to restoration by the Italians during their occupation of Rhodes (early 20th century).

04/08/2024

Did you know that Greece has 3000 islands, but only about 200 are inhabited?

04/08/2024

All aboard the beautiful Norwegian Getaway as we set sail from the Port of Piraeus.

This pretty lady has something for everyone - great food and entertainment options, 5 water slides, a crazy ropes course (do you see the plank brave souls can walk over the side of the ship?), and a very definate Miami Beach vibe.

25/07/2024

Big news from Southwest Airlines. More legroom, assigned seats, and red-eye flights (many to/from Baltimore!)

https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Southwest-will-scrap-open-seating?utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eltrtopstory&oly_enc_id=8441B6772601B9S

23/07/2024

We changed our minds…kids sail free!

You heard that right – kids sail free on Virgin Voyages. If they’re old enough to vote.

Now through August 23rd, Sailors who book a 2024 voyage in a Central Sea Terrace or below for two and second Sailors ages 18-26 sail free. Because they’ll always be kids to mom and dad, right?

Book the ultimate graduation/birthday/don’t say we
never did anything for you trip now and they’ll save on their (adult) children’s fares. It’s our way of doing the “Kids Sail Free” thing while still remaining the exclusively adult, always luxury cruise line your Sailors love. Sea what we did there?

Contact me for a quote or take a look here for the various itineraries: https://www.virginvoyages.com/book/voyage-planner/find-a-voyage?cabins=1&USD[%E2%80%A6]lors=2&toDate=2022-10-04&agentId=179260&agencyId=6757

22/07/2024

Looking for a Thanksgiving Cruise?

Last Chance! This deal ends on July 27, 2024!

7 NIGHT BAHAMAS

Departs: November 24, 2024 (Thanksgiving Cruise!)
Ship: Odyssey of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Itinerary:
- Day 1: Depart Cape Liberty, NJ
- Day 2: Cruising
- Day 3: Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida
- Day 4: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
- Day 5: Nassau, Bahamas
- Day 6: Cruising
- Day 7: Cruising
- Day 8: Arrive Cape Liberty, NJ

Perks: $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom

Pricing:
- Ocean View Balcony: $1,255.95 per person*
- Ocean View: $846.95 per person*
- Interior: $752.00 per person*
*Per person based on double occupancy. Includes taxes, fees, and port charges (subject to change).

Deposit: $500 deposit required to secure stateroom.

Contact me to request a quote!

18/07/2024

More cruising opportunities from the mid-Atlantic!

In Spring 2026 Norwegian cruise line will begin sailing from Philadelphia in the spring theough summer to Bermuda, and in the autumn to Canada/New England.

Book early for best pricing and availability.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE® ANNOUNCES PORT OF PHILADELPHIA AS A NEW HOMEPORT WITH ITS 2026 SPRING/SUMMER SEASON Download as PDF July 17, 2024 4:30pm EDT - The Company Will Be the First to Commence Cruising in Philadelphia with Voyages to Bermuda, as well as Canada and New England Beginning April 16, 202...

16/07/2024

It's so hot outside that I wouldn't mind heading back to Alaska right about now.

11/07/2024

Don’t get left behind. Let’s get you to your dream destination.

03/07/2024

Tell me you are on vacation without telling me you are on vacation.

01/07/2024

Some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen are not where you think they might be.