17 FACTS ABOUT PORTUGAL:
1. Portugal is the oldest country in Europe, with its borders established in 1139.
2. Lisbon, the capital city, is one of the oldest cities in the world, predating Rome, London, and Paris.
3. Portugal is famous for its Port wine, produced exclusively in the Douro Valley.
4. The country has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Tower of Belรฉm and the Monastery of Batalha.
5. Portugalโs Vasco da Gama Bridge, spanning 17.2 km (10.7 miles), is the longest bridge in Europe.
6. Portuguese is the official language of nine countries, including Brazil, making it the sixth most spoken language in the world.
7. Portugal is home to the largest cork forest globally and is the largest producer of cork, supplying over 50% of the worldโs demand.
8. The countryโs azulejos, decorative ceramic tiles, are iconic and can be seen on buildings throughout Portugal.
9. Fado, a genre of music known for its melancholic tunes, is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
10. Portugalโs Algarve region is renowned for its stunning beaches and limestone caves, such as the Benagil Cave.
11. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest football players in history, hails from the Portuguese island of Madeira.
12. The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is one of the oldest universities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
13. Portugal was the first colonial power to abolish slavery, doing so in 1761.
14. The countryโs traditional dish, bacalhau (salted cod), is prepared in over 1,000 different ways.
15. Portugal experiences some of the mildest climates in Europe, making it a year-round tourist destination.
16. Sintra, near Lisbon, is famous for its fairy-tale-like palaces, including the Pena Palace.
17. The Portuguese discovered and introduced many global staples, such as chili peppers, potatoes, and tea, to Europe during the Age of Exploration.
Australia isnโt ideal for transcontinental railroad travel as the distances are simply too great. If you have time, though, there's one you'll absolutely love, that's the Ghan Train. Traveling from Adelaide to Darwin (or v.v), the immersive schedule is a duration of 4-days/3-nights and highlights Australia's Outback.
Best months: Apr. - Sept. (Dry Season in the North).
Why Itโs Scenic: The Ghan traverses the heart of Australia, showcasing tropical savannas, arid deserts & the iconic Outback. The transition from arid south to lush north (or v.v) makes it a spectacular journey.
#theghan #theghantrain #trainjourneysoftheworld @journeybeyondrail
With summer crowds at an all time high Winter European Vacations are becoming more popular.
How do you feel about traveling to Europe in the winter?
So the cruise 'wave season' is fast approaching. Wave season is usually from Jan - Mar when cruisers can find discounts such as
* Discounted fares or cabin upgrades.
* Perks such as onboard credits, free drink packages, Wi-Fi, or shore excursions.
* Reduced deposits or flexible booking policies.
* Kids sail free or discounted rates for additional passengers.
Here are some early bird specials I've found.
AMA Waterways River cruise:
Past guests that've sailed AMA will complimentary 2-, 3-, or 4-night land packages on select AMA European River cruises. I'll add here that AMA Waterways is loved by travel agents because they are loved by travelers.
Virgin Voyages: Adults-only cruise
Jan. 17 - 22, 2025. Departing from Miami this cruise visits Puerto Plata, Beach Club at Bimini back to Miami. Insides cabins starting at $1490/per person double occupancy.
Unlike regular cruiselines Virgin Voyages always includes 20+ eateries, tips, fitness, entertainment, WiFi, and more as well as free modifications within your current cabin/suite category, cruise date changes allowed. Other destinations available - just ask!
Princess cruises: Caribbean & Mexico sailings
Offerings free 3rd & 4th person in the cabin and 1/2 off deposits.
Consider the 7-Day Western Caribbean on the new SUN PRINCESS SHIP. Departs Ft. Lauderdale, and visits Roatan (Mahogany Bay), Belize City, Cozumel with Access to the Sanctuary section (tranquil, adults-only retreat)
Email me today costs and options [email protected]
Currently working on a 3-week self-drive European vacation for lovely clients of mine which will be leaving in June 2025. They'll be traveling round-trip from/to Munich with loads of stops in Germany, Austria and Central Europe.
What's surprising is that I've had 2 instances where hotel rooms went from available to sold-out between the time I quoted their trip to the time I went in to book it (only a week apart) Their trip is still 7 months away but it's probably a good indicator that it's going to be a busy 2025 summer in Europe.
Here's a peak at some of the beautiful sights they'll experience on their vacation.
Paris, France - have you heard?
It's starting...the most wonderful part of the year ๐คฅ
KRAKOW, POLAND
One of the locations I love booking for my clients, headed to Eastern Europe, is the medieval city of Krakow, Poland. While many other cities in Poland, such as Warsaw, Poznaล, and Biaลystok, suffered extensive damage during WWII Krakow remained almost untouched. I've spent a lot of time here as it's my favorite town in Poland - here listed are the sights I recommend visiting.
Top 5 sights to visit while in Krakow.
1) Wawel Castle. A castle complex, located on a hill overlooking the city it dates back to the 11th century
2) Schindler's Factory: Located in the former factory owned by the Oskar Schindler,.the museum tells the story of the Holocaust, Krakรณw during World War II, and Schindler's role in saving the lives of over 1,000 Jewish workers.
3) Wieliczka Salt Mine: One of the oldest and most well-preserved salt mines in the world.
4) Auschwitz-Birkenau: One of the most significant, somber historical sites in the world. Located 43 mi west of Krakรณw, it;s the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp that was part of the Third Reichโs system of genocide during World War II.
5) Main Market Square (Rynek Gลรณwny): This square is the heart of Krakow's Old Town. Don't miss St. Mary's Basilica with its stunning stained-glass windows and the iconic bugle call from the tower. Built in the 13th century and is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe.
A most amazing airport in Switzerland
