Explore With Ilse (2024)

14/12/2024

I’m excited to share that I’m partnering with Viking River Cruises in 2026 to take you to the Christmas Markets along the Danube River, from Budapest to Munich! (See previous post.)

This partnership will give you more options to personalize your experience than my usual private trips do. You get to choose your stateroom level, your food, and your shore excursions—but I WILL let you know which ones I’ll be doing and hope that you’ll join me!

And Viking is truly exceptional at what they perfected: Luxury river cruising.

In 2022, my in-laws took us all on a Viking cruise to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary—we traveled along the Rhine from Amsterdam, Holland to Basel, Switzerland. And I was really impressed.

I thought Viking River Cruises were only for *old* people, and I was totally wrong. After this experience, Bart and I thought, “How incredibly fun would this be with our friends??”💫

We could be as active as we wanted (a true multi-generational trip opportunity!). We weren’t obligated to join the large tour groups—we signed up for a lot of “not included” excursions, which were more intimate, and we also explored on our own. We enjoyed our cruising days as much as our land days, because the scenery was awe-inspring. The food was fantastic. The service was first class.

But the best part of this trip was being in close-ish quarters with the people we love. We got a lot of undistracted time together. And there wasn’t any fighting about what to do—we registered for our shore excursions before the departure date, and our only “rule” was that we’d have all our dinners together. Most of us did the excursions together, but not all the time. And we enjoyed 2 fantastic dinners off the ship.

2026 may seem really far away, but since this trip is open to the rest of the world, know that the Viking Christmas Market cruises sell out over a year in advance. And the lower-priced staterooms sell out first.

If this kind of trip was ever on your wishlist, DM me now! (This trip isn’t even on our website, yet!) I want to show you everything that I love so much about this part of the world during this magical time of the year.

13/12/2024

THIRD opportunity to travel with me in 2026! (1st two are in previous posts)

Photos are of us in Munich with my cousin (2nd photo), 2022.

I’m feeling a little tongue-tied about how to express to you the absolute JOY and ELATION and EXCITEMENT I’m feeling about this trip.

I grew up spending my summers in Bavaria and Austria, because I’m a First Generation American, born to a German refugee and a German immigrant—so my extended family still lives there.

And since I moved around a lot during my childhood (14 times in my first 17 years!), my aunts’ and cousins’ homes became my “HOME”—where I took my new husband and then our children, to show them where I grew up.

The area we’re going to travel through on this trip is where a big part of my heart lives, and I’m giddy just thinking about being able to share it all with you!

💥PREMIUM DANUBE RIVER CRUISE: CHRISTMAS MARKETS FROM BUDAPEST TO MUNICH💥

“All the Christmas markets in the world emulate the ones in this region—Bavaria and Austria. Gluhwein was made famous here; the gingerbread (lebkuchen) hearts were invented here; the stalls are modeled after Tirolean Alpine huts; the blue and white checks you see on most market décor is the Bavarian flag; etc.
Highlighting three countries, Hungary, Austria and Germany, stroll among the stalls at Budapest’s Christmas market and immerse yourself in the cheerful atmosphere of Vienna as you shop for handmade decorations. Visit the fairy-tale village of Regensburg, one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, and delight in the city’s joyful festivities.”

DM for details, because we don’t even have this up on our website yet. If this has ever been on your wishlist, join me in Dec 2026!

Part 2 to this post will be posted tomorrow!

12/12/2024

I missed INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY yesterday!!

But not really, because International Mountain Day is EVERY DAY, as far as I’m concerned! 🏔️

I grew up in cities and their suburbs—NYC, LA, SF, Salt Lake City, Philly, Chicago, and São Paulo, Brazil. My family lives in Munich, Germany, so I also spent many summers there. Cities are invigorating for me—I need a “city-fix” every few months and am so grateful to have Boston so near to me.

I currently live near the ocean in Maine, and I can’t imagine NOT living near the ocean. The ocean, to me, has a heartbeat. And moods. It’s a landscape that not only changes day to day, but throughout the day. The sun, the wind, the clouds, the current, the fish, insects and sea birds, and even the boats, all dance together to create the most extraordinary and dynamic canvas—colors and textures are always moving.

But the mountains. Mountains rejuvenate me on a cellular level. There’s an energy that causes a chemical reaction that repairs my DNA. I swear. There’s no other explanation. When I’m in the mountains, I can feel every platelet move through my veins …

💥When I’m in the mountains, I feel HYPER-ALIVE.💥

I don’t believe summits are for “conquering”—I believe they’re a gift. I believe that when I’m standing on the summit of a mountain, the mountain is saying,

💫“Welcome. Breathe. Love. Live.”💫

10/12/2024

Be the gift-giving hero this year—

REPLACE THE ANNUAL NEW BATHROBE WITH A GIFT OF UNIQUE AND AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES!

Your second option for traveling with me in 2026 (first option description, SRI LANKA, in earlier post); stay tuned here for ONE more 2026 trip announcement:

(This trip isn’t even on our website yet—DM me for the detailed itinerary and pricing.)

The Baltic States are an area of the world I’ve wanted to visit my entire adult life! This trip is a comprehensive Baltic highlight experience.

“Decades after the fall of communism, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia remain a mystery to most travelers. We’re not complaining, though; more mystery means fewer crowds and an easier time getting to know these fantastic countries. Beginning in charming cobblestoned Vilnius and ending in beautiful Helsinki, this two-week trip gets to the very heart of the region. Get an up-close glimpse of Riga’s castles and art district, experience rural life in Estonia, and venture into the fortresses and medieval architecture of Tallinn before crossing to Finland by ferry.”

06/12/2024

Let me help you tie on that cape. Your SUPERHERO cape. Because this year, with my help, you’re going to give the BEST👏GIFT👏EVER—THE TRIP THAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN!

Imagine getting your best friends, your entire squad, and/or your favorite family members together this holiday season and presenting them with a certificate that says:

DEPOSITS PAID; SAVE THE DATE—WE’RE GOING TO SRI LANKA! 🏝️

💥Your first option for traveling with me in 2026 (stay tuned here for 2 more 2026 trip announcements):

(This trip isn’t even on our website yet—DM me for the detailed itinerary and pricing.)

✨PREMIUM SRI LANKA:✨
I’ve always wanted to visit this alluring island, and one of my favorite vendors finally came up with an itinerary that is truly out of the ordinary! Other companies go to the same places, but no one else offers these unique experiences. (DM me for the detailed itinerary and pricing.)

“Sri Lanka is a wonderland for adventurers: Buddhist temples and colonial architecture; tea plantations and spice gardens; safari parks and palm-fringed beaches. Book this Premium trip to explore it beyond the typical tourist track. We join a family to cook traditional curries (which we share with our hosts and local monks) and explore Gal Oya with a chief from the forest-dwelling Veddha community. Of course, there are a few highlights we couldn’t miss, including the rock fortress of Sigiriya and safari in Yala National Park, and we’ve scheduled downtime in beachside on the south coast for a chance to kick back and relax.”

05/12/2024

Guess what? I’m afraid of flying. 🥺

Every time I get on an airplane, I have a superstition-al (I can turn that word into an adjective, right?) ritual, like baseball players—but I’ve been weaning myself off of that this past year, because I no longer want to believe it will save my life.

Every time I get on an airplane, I work VERY hard to 1. NOT do my ritual, and 2. slow my panicking heartbeat by 3. convincing myself that today is NOT my day to die.

So if I have to work this hard for myself, imagine how hard I work knowing both my kids are on airplanes at the same time, flying over different parts of the world!

🙏😩🙏😩🙏😩🙏😩🙏😩🙏😩🙏😩🙏😩🙏

But here’s my secret to how I don’t fall into complete despair or go completely insane …

💥 I ask myself, “How do I want my children to live their lives?” And in turn, “How do I want to live MY life?” 💥

✨ One of my MANY blessings is that my kids have become confident world citizens, who find the courage every day to take the risks required to create the lives they want. ✨

So when the going gets tough, I only need to look to my kids for the inspiration to be brave. 💗

30/11/2024

GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS who want to make their travel experiences richer and who love to READ!

💥TWO BONUS RECOMMENDATIONS NOT ON OUR WEBSITE!💥

1️⃣ THE ART OF PILGRIMAGE: THE SEEKER’S GUIDE TO MAKING TRAVEL SACRED: This is the book I gift to people more than any other. This is the book that changed the way I travel and made my life richer, as a result. There isn’t any “religion” in this book; this book is about how to travel more consciously, how to make your travels more meaningful, no matter where you go. This is a gift for the person who loves to travel, but wants to up-level their experiences. You’ll reread this book multiple times, learning new things each time.

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

2️⃣ KINDLE PAPERWHITE: When I travel, I carry with me at least 3 books—the one I’m in the middle of, and then 2 options for when I finish that book, because what if I don’t like the option I bring, if I only bring ONE?

Many people have been wanting to buy this for me for as long as it’s been in existence; and I’d explain to them how this “isn’t for me.” But when I started traveling with a carryon only, bringing 3 books was no longer an option. 😩

Not only can I read in full sun or in total darkness without hurting my eyes, but I don’t need to decide what I want to read before I leave home—I can decide at any moment of any day, anywhere in the world! 🙌

I’d really appreciate it if you copied and pasted my associate’s link to support my business, since this isn’t on our website:
https://amzn.to/41eS307

3️⃣ And to make the Kindle feel more comfortable, I bought this buttery leather cover that has a built-in stand and hand strap. Please copy and paste my associate’s link, since this isn’t on our website (and make sure the size is correct for your Kindle):
https://amzn.to/3OxJFBi

4️⃣ Our home library, just to show you how much I love my paper books—and what a huge and sincere statement it is for me to recommend a Kindle!

Thank you for supporting my Small Business!

27/11/2024

And once again, we had the BEST guide we could’ve hoped for, to care for us and to teach us all about his extraordinary country!

Sayed was an unflappable guide, which is a true gift. Missing plane ticket? No problem. Where’s Greg? It’s ok, we can wait. Barbara wants to ride a camel again. I’ll make it happen. Four departure flights changed, can you reschedule their transfers? Consider it done.

And we were a group with A LOT of questions, and Sayed, the Egyptologist, was there for it ALL!

As a true scientist, Sayed never pretended to know an answer, when there were only theories—like, how were the pyramids built?? He told us all the different theories and ended with, “But we don’t actually know.”

But the BEST thing about Sayed was his JOLLINESS! His laugh was full-bodied, lit up the entire space he was in, and was totally infectious. And Sayed laughed A LOT. 💗🙏

I am over-the-moon grateful to have had Sayed as our guide, who made our trip infinitely richer.

27/11/2024

GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS SERIES

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

AIRFLY PRO BLUETOOTH WIRELESS AUDIO TRANSMITTER: This is one of the best splurges I’ve ever made. It was a splurge at the time, because why not just plug in my headphones to the airplane tv? But now, I couldn’t even imagine living like that. When I need to go to the bathroom, or my seatmate needs to get up, I just pause my movie and stand up—no unplugging anything! And you can connect TWO pairs of headsets to this, so you can watch the same movie with your traveling companion! One of you just has to lean over a bit more;)

_________________________

I LOVE recommending products to make traveling easier (and more fun), and because of your encouragement, I’ve joined Amazon Associates to monetize my recommendations—AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!

I’m in the probationary period where Amazon judges whether I’m worth bringing into their world, so I’d really appreciate it if you’d consider purchasing through my links. 🙏

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

And if there’s a specific recommendation you’re looking for, just DM me, and if I have an opinion, I’ll send you the link!

Thank you for supporting my Small Business!

24/11/2024

GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS SERIES

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

I was introduced to this product by my hiking community, and now, I don’t travel anywhere without it. When I’m hiking, this is a no-brainer. And when I’m traveling, how many times have I encountered a bathroom without toilet paper? Especially those squatty potties in Asia and Africa!

In a nutshell, this is reusable tp for going #1. The silver-infused cloth keeps it antibacterial; you handle it on the printed side only; the quilted side is super absorbent and locks in the moisture, like a pad; when you get back to the hotel room, you wash it out with soap and water; when you get home, launder it in a lingerie bag and hang to dry. MUST. HAVE.

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

_________________________

I LOVE recommending products to make traveling easier (and more fun), and because of your encouragement, I’ve joined Amazon Associates to monetize my recommendations—AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!

I’m in the probationary period where Amazon judges whether I’m worth bringing into their world, so I’d really appreciate it if you’d consider purchasing through my links. 🙏

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

And if there’s a specific recommendation you’re looking for, just DM me, and if I have an opinion, I’ll send you the link!

Thank you for supporting my Small Business!

23/11/2024

GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS SERIES

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

I have 2 recommendations today, because I missed yesterday, and both are on sale today—the charging cable is 41% off!

MULTI-CHARGING CABLE: I just bought this for my travels this past spring, and I couldn’t be happier—ALL my devices can use this ONE charging cable! I got the new iPhone for Christmas, which has a different port from my previous phone, rendering all my cables obsolete—YEARS’ worth of cables. In every room and car. My headphones have yet another port. And my external battery, yet another port! Now, I can travel with only ONE cable. Most of these multi-charging cables come in multi-packs, and I don’t know why—I bought this 2-pack and gave the other one to my husband:)

INNUI PORTABLE CHARGER: I love this brand. Charging is fast, and this battery pack holds power for a LONG time. Click the link in my blog (link in bio) to read all the specs. It’s just awesome and the price is amazing.

__________________________

I LOVE recommending products to make traveling easier (and more fun), and because of your encouragement, I’ve joined Amazon Associates to monetize my recommendations—AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!

I’m in the probationary period where Amazon judges whether I’m worth bringing into their world, so I’d really appreciate it if you’d consider purchasing through my links. 🙏

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

And if there’s a specific recommendation you’re looking for, just DM me, and if I have an opinion, I’ll send you the link!

Thank you for supporting my Small Business!

21/11/2024

GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS SERIES:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/mh6NNHGHhsEKDE1k/?mibextid=WC7FNe

TRAVEL SAFE: I mostly trust hotel room safes, but when I don’t, I bring this along. I always carry my passport on me, but I don’t want to carry with me all my cash, my emergency credit cards, and the photocopies of those things. So when I don’t trust the safe, I cable this to the inside of my suitcase (note the built-in cable), and bury my suitcase under a bunch of clothing (or other suitcases, if I’m traveling with my family). Thieves will have to steal the whole kit and kaboodle.

I LOVE recommending products to make traveling easier (and more fun), and because of your encouragement, I’ve joined Amazon Associates to monetize my recommendations—AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!

I’m in the probationary period where Amazon judges whether I’m worth bringing into their world, so I’d really appreciate it if you’d consider purchasing through my links. 🙏

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/mh6NNHGHhsEKDE1k/?mibextid=WC7FNe

And if there’s a specific recommendation you’re looking for, just DM me, and if I have an opinion, I’ll send you the link!

Thank you for supporting my Small Business!

21/11/2024

I don’t even know how to express to you the magnificence and magnitude of everything we saw, experienced and learned.

💥YOU JUST NEED TO GO TO EGYPT YOURSELF.💥

Did you know that everything we see in brown from Ancient Egypt, was once colorfully decorated? Because everything was once buried under the Arabian Desert, the colors were literally sanded off the structures.

But the deeper you go into the tombs, or look up at the overhangs and higher parts of structures, where the sand couldn’t really scour, you can see fully colored walls or remnants of color.

These colors are still VIBRANT, 1000s of years later—lapis and turquoise blues, carnelian red, emerald green, marigold yellow, and pure white.

The engravings on stone walls and columns and ceilings—ramrod straight lines, everything in proportion, inconceivably uniformly-spaced and sized hieroglyphs. The interior walls and columns of ALL of these structures were COVERED, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, in hieroglyphs and drawings. C O V E R E D.

And the mind-blowing SCALE of everything! Photo of 3 people holding hands around a pillar: it took 12 of us, with outstretched arms, to encircle this ONE column. 🤯

And the LACK OF MORTAR. NONE. ZERO. 😵‍💫 I just can’t. I really just can’t understand.

Last 2 photos … intimate moments between Ramses II and his *primary* wife, Nefertari (NOT Nefertiti) … Abu Simbel, 2 temples commissioned by Ramses II, dedicated to the Pharaoh and Nefertari. Most tomb drawings depict hierarchy, war, historical moments, and mythology, so these intimate domestic moments stood out to me.

And did you know that scientists have measured structures and sculptures created by the ancient Egyptians with lasers and confirmed the absolute perfect symmetry? It’s one thing to have 1 or even a handful of artists/masons who can create that kind of perfection … but it provokes MANY questions when every part of Egypt seemed to have armies of these perfectionists. 🤔

20/11/2024

Did you know that there are over TEN holidays celebrated all over the world in December?

I started this gift list for my email list years ago … they received this year’s list back in July. 💥Join my email list, and you’ll receive head-starts like this, too—plus, first dibs on my trips!💥

I’m starting this series of Gifts for Travelers by highlighting something that is just for FUN! I love a useful gift as much as the next person, but when a gift is something that you know the person would love, but would never buy for her/himself, then THAT’s a GOOD GIFT.

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

Save this post—I’ll be highlighting one product every day!

I LOVE recommending products to make traveling easier (and more fun), and because of your encouragement, I’ve joined Amazon Associates to monetize my recommendations—AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!

I’m in the probationary period where Amazon judges whether I’m worth bringing into their world, so I’d really appreciate it if you’d consider purchasing through my links. 🙏

https://www.epicglobaladventures.com/blog/christmas-list-in-july

And if there’s a specific recommendation you’re looking for, just DM me, and if I have an opinion, I’ll send you the link!

:

19/11/2024

One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that group travel is for the less adventurous. That couldn’t be further from the truth! The small group trips I curate (just 16 people max) are designed for those who want vibrant, extraordinary experiences.

We go beyond typical tourism—immersing ourselves in local culture, savoring traditional cuisines, and uncovering hidden gems that most travelers miss. Guided by locals, we dive deep into each destination's history, traditions, and natural beauty, creating meaningful connections along the way.

If you're ready to explore differently, let’s embark on an adventure together! To learn more, contact me, Ilse, at [email protected].

16/11/2024

PRO TIP: Start collecting shower caps from your hotels.

I use shower caps to wrap my shoes in my suitcase. Often, they break during my trip, so I pack extras.

And that really paid off on this trip!

I forgot that I would have to take my shoes off at security for my internal flights in Egypt and European flights, so I didn’t pack socks! (Rookie mistake—I chalk it up to having only one week between my Italy and Egypt trips! 🤪)

And VOILA! I didn’t have to walk barefooted on the airport floor. 🤢

12/11/2024

After my shower, before I went to breakfast, I opened our curtains and literally gasped—THIS was my view.

I teared up.

I am on the NILE RIVER, watching hot air balloons just magically hang in the sky.

10/11/2024

Today was ICONIC.

The Great Pyramid was built almost 5000 years ago, and some Egyptologists believe the Sphinx was built 7000 years PRIOR to that!

Did you know, the Sphinx lost its nose to the Turkish army’s shooting practice?

And did you know that the Great Pyramids are the only original Ancient Wonders of the World that still exist?

We still have no definitive answers to how these structures were built. We already know that early civilizations knew complex mathematics, and there are many artifacts in the museums that they call “mystery pieces”, because no one can figure out what they’re for or how they were made … I think it’s time to consider that the early Egyptians had technology that we can’t even conceptualize.

It was crowded. It was dirty. It was dusty.

But I touched the Great Pyramid of Giza!

Explore With Ilse

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