Chris with Excel Travel (2025)

22/07/2024

Sunday, July 21 (2024)

"LOU'S ON FIRST"
the AUDIO BOOK!

The audio book is now available on all the audio book platforms including Amazon, Chirp Books, Audible, and more.

With the audio version, we've added in a Bonus Chapter and even sound bites.

Please share ...

Thank you. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

21/07/2024

Sunday, July 21 (2024)

NCL TO HOMEPORT IN PHILADELPHIA IN 2026!

Courtesy of Travel Market Report:

Norwegian Cruise Line will add Port of Philadelphia as a home port starting in 2026.

This makes NCL the first to begin cruising out of Philadelphia after many years. The cruise line announced voyages from the new port city to Bermuda, Canada, and New England.

NCL’s first sailing out of PhilaPort will launch on April 26, 2026 aboard Norwegian Jewel for seven-to-nine-day trips to Bermuda.

After sailing to Bermuda from April through August, Norwegian Jewel will then sail 10-to-11-day voyages between Philadelphia and Quebec City, with stops in Saguenay, Charlottetown; Halifax, Canada; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Boston.

[Images attached are of Norwegian Jewel]

I've attached my card should anyone like to use my services. I specialize in cruise travel and will be more than happy to assist you.

Have a great week everyone.

10/06/2024

Monday, June 10 (2024)

TRAVEL TRIVIA - The Answer

Yesterday I posted:

QUESTION:

Where in the U.S. can you drive down Santa Claus Lane?

ANSWER?

North Pole, Alaska!

All of you were correct!! YAHOO!!!!

WHEN NELLIE AND CON MILLER arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1949, they didn’t have anything with them except for their two children and $1.40. Con became a merchant and fur buyer in the area, but he would also put on an old red Santa suit and entertain the village children; he would do anything to carve out a living for himself in this new frontier and the kids couldn’t have been happier to see their first St. Nick.

Only a few years later, the Millers had cobbled together enough money to built a trading post just outside of Fairbanks. They named it the North Pole, but when a young visitor recognized Con and asked if Santa was building a new house, they changed the name of the outpost to the Santa Claus House and decorated as they thought one of St. Nick’s home might look.

Just 20 minutes by car from Fairbanks, Drive along Santa Claus Lane and admire the streetlights decorated in candy cane motifs. Visit the Santa Claus House and browse holiday-inspired gifts for everyone on your list. The Santa Claus House is the “official” home of Santa Claus and welcomes thousands of people from all over the world. You can embrace the season with a charming letter from Santa to friends and family back home with an authentic North Pole postmark. Live reindeer and an opportunity for a photograph with Santa Claus at the festive Santa Claus House are available year-round.

10/06/2024

WHERE AM I?

[Hint]: This country occupies the Jutland Peninsula, extending north from the heart of continental western Europe.

This is a main attraction for many visitors. It opened in 1843 and is the world's second-oldest amusement park.

ANSWER?

COPENHAGEN (DENMARK)

PLACE:

TIVOLI GARDENS!

Tivoli Gardens opened on August 15, 1843, and is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world.

Tivoli's founder, Georg Carstensen (b. 1812 – d. 1857), obtained a five-year charter to create Tivoli by telling King Christian VIII that "when the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics".

From its beginning Tivoli included a variety of attractions: buildings in the exotic style of an imaginary Orient: a theatre, band stands, restaurants and cafés, flower gardens, and mechanical amusement rides such as a merry-go-round and a primitive scenic railway. After dark, colored lamps illuminated the gardens. On certain evenings, specially designed fireworks could be seen reflected in Tivoli's lake, a remnant of the moat surrounding the city fortifications.

Tivoli is always evolving without abandoning its original charm or traditions. Georg Carstensen said in 1844: "Tivoli will never, so to speak, be finished", a sentiment echoed just over a century later when Walt Disney said of his own Tivoli-inspired theme park, "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

09/06/2024

WOULD YOU BELIEVE ....

This unique roadway connects the Danish capital of Copenhagen to the Swedish city of Malmö. The Øresund, designed by the Danish architect George K.S. Rotne, was opened on July 1, 2000.

One setback was caused by the discovery of 16 unexploded World War II bombs on the seafloor. Understandably, these had to be securely removed and disarmed before work could continue.

Pretty amazing!

09/06/2024

COVER PHOTO

Sunday, June 9 (2024)

The Egyptian pyramids are ancient masonry structures located in Egypt. Sources cite at least 118 identified "Egyptian" pyramids.

Approximately 80 pyramids were built within the Kingdom of Kush, now located in the modern country of Sudan. Of those located in modern Egypt, most were built as tombs for the country's pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods.

09/06/2024

WHERE AM I?

[Hint]: This country occupies the Jutland Peninsula, extending north from the heart of continental western Europe.

This is a main attraction for many visitors. It opened in 1843 and is the world's second-oldest amusement park.

I'll post the answer tomorrow, Monday, June 10.

Have fun ...

09/06/2024

Here's to the close of another week and hoping everyone had a good weekend!

Are you up for a TRAVEL TRIVIA CHALLENGE?

Let's see if you can guess the answer to this one, with answer to be posted tomorrow (Monday, June 10).

QUESTION:

Where in the U.S. can you drive down Santa Claus Lane?

[Hint]: This city hosts the World Ice Art Championships, where talented artists from around the globe showcase their creativity and skill every year. Plus, it's Christmas all year round.

See you back tomorrow with the answer.

03/06/2024

Monday, June 3 (2024)

COVER PHOTO

THE PITONS - St. Lucia

These lush twin peaks rising straight from the Caribbean Sea are one of the most famous sights in St. Lucia.

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons Management Area, the Pitons boast diverse geological features such as fumaroles and hot springs, as well as historical rock carvings and ample wildlife-viewing opportunities. At more than 2,600 feet, Gros Piton is the taller and easier of the two to climb, though Petit Piton looks nearly identical in height when seen from the north.

27/05/2024

Monday, May 27 (2024)

A bit late, but here's the answer to the TRAVEL TRIVIA question I posted before the computer crash.

QUESTION:

Which are the only two countries in the world that officially begin with “The”?

ANSWER:

Some of you answered correctly with BAHAMAS (The Bahamas) being one. The other may not be all that familiar but it's The GAMBIA.

The Gambia is a small West African country which is geographically surrounded by Senegal. It gained its independence from the UK in 1965 and is heavily dependent on peanut production.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

27/05/2024

Monday, May 27 (2024)

I haven't been on FB for over a week due to a computer crash. I'm now back up and running, new laptop, so will resume the travel postings shortly. What a nightmare it was as you can do only so much off your cell (lol).

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

18/05/2024

Friday, May 17 (2024)

TRAVEL TRIVIA

I haven't posted in awhile due to work, which is good, but have missed posting the Trivia.

Here goes and will post the answer on Sunday.

QUESTION:

Which are the only two countries in the world that officially begin with “The”?

See you back on Sunday with the answer.

HINT? I can't as I'll give it away!

18/05/2024

Friday, May 17

WHERE AM I?

Here's the reveal ...

THE ARCTIC CATHEDRAL
TROMS, NORWAY

Tromsdalen Church or the Arctic Cathedral (Norwegian: Tromsdalen kirke, Ishavskatedralen) is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Tromsø Municipality in Troms county, Norway.

The modern concrete and metal church was built in a long church style in 1965 using plans drawn up by architect Jan Inge Hovig. The church seats about 600 people.

The glass mosaic is one of artist Victor Sparre’s most prominent works. It depicts God’s hand from which departs three rays of light: one through Jesus, one through a woman and one through a man. The glass work contains many symbols and generates considerable attention among visitors.

Today, the church attracts visitors from around the world and has become a landmark in Norway.

17/05/2024

Friday, May 17 (2024)

WHERE AM I?

[Answer to be posted end of day]

[Hint]: It holds the title of being the world’s northernmost Catholic mission and inspired by this region's nature.

17/05/2024

Friday, May 17 (2024)

COVER PHOTO

NORWAY'S NORTHERN LIGHTS

This month, Skies around the world lit up with extraordinary colors overnight due to a rare solar weather event.

The aurora borealis and australis — the northern and southern lights — stunned those who ventured outside to take in the views, providing amateur photographers with the opportunity to take some truly spectacular pictures.

A geomagnetic storm of a strength not seen for two decades was behind the phenomena.

NORWAY is indeed a magical destination to witness the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. The optimal months for experiencing the Northern Lights in Norway are from late September to early April. During this period, there are more hours of darkness due to the polar night, which enhances your chances of spotting the auroras.

Northern Norway is a prime location for witnessing the auroras. This region boasts multiple islands, deep fjords, and steep mountains, making it one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting places to see the Northern Lights.

Remember, witnessing the Northern Lights is like watching a celestial ballet of light across the night sky, with colors ranging from green to blue and even pink or violet. Whether you’re hunting for the auroras or simply enjoying the magical winter light, Norway promises an unforgettable experience!

Chris with Excel Travel

22/07/2024

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