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Europe

Escape to Ireland

By | Europe | 2 Comments

There are many ways to vacation. You can go luxury (EZTravelPad specializes in more luxury accommodations normally relying on the best travel partners and the best locations) – or you can go more budget (normally this is what people do on their own in an effort to achieve the lowest price possible)

Well now EZTravelPad has a very modest budget solution for several popular destinations, and you don’t have to sacrifice stability by risking doing business with a less well known provider

Globus Tours is widely recognized as the world leader in escorted tours across the globe. They operate 4 distinctly different brands serving 4 different travel styles with the Globus brand being the flagship luxury solution.

Now Globus is operating some itineraries that are achieving some unheard of price-points on some of the more popular destinations such as Italy, Great Britain, Greece, Peru (think Machu Picchu) & many others

Below is a Globus brand itinerary that hits an unbelievably low price point from $659 per person on set departures for 6 nights including several meals, transfers, hotels & even some guides in the destination. Add flights from any US points of departure and and you can come in around $1300 per person!

Unreal!!

So what do you sacrifice?

Well, normally on a Globus tour or other great EZTravelPad custom tours in Ireland you would be staying in luxury hotels, Manor Houses and even Castles.

You would experience in depth guided tours of some of the most unique destinations and experiences on the island. In this case, at this price you would have fewer guided tours, fewer amazing meals, and would stay in nice but more basic yet still clean and nice accommodations

See much more detail and specifics below-

Inclusions of tours and transportation as well as a Full Irish breakfast daily; 2 three-course dinners with wine and choice of menus including a welcome dinner in Dublin

Overview

Vacation Overview

Escape to the lush landscapes, charming cities, and friendly people of Ireland during the low season so you can experience it all without the crowds and, most importantly, without the high-season prices. This Ireland tour is an ideal introduction to the Emerald Isle for first-time visitors who have limited time. You’ll relish in some of Ireland’s most magnificent scenery as well as its most famous towns. You’ll start and end in Dublin, and you’ll also have overnights in Ennis, Killarney, and Waterford. Highlights of this tour include the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, where you’ll savor breathtaking views of these sheer cliffs dropping into the ocean, and the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive through rugged and awe-inspiring landscapes. Words cannot capture the magnificence of this natural beauty; it must be witnessed in person!

You’ll also have time to enjoy bustling Dublin, the “Fair City,” Adare with its pretty thatched cottages; medieval Waterford, home to the famous crystal; and Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s prettiest and liveliest towns. From the scenic beauty to the unique interactions and experiences with the down-to-earth locals, this Ireland trip is sure to delight all of your senses, and at a price you just can’t miss!

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND

Céad míle fáilte! A hundred-thousand welcomes! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in Ireland’s capital city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

DinnerDinner

Day 2 – DUBLIN

The morning’s orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares with their tall red brick townhouses, colorful doors and wrought iron-decorated windows, Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the city further, or you could join an optional excursion to the Guinness Storehouse and learn all about the world-famous beer: from how Guinness is made to the ancient craft of barrel-making in the cooperage. The evening ends with a sample of “The Black Stuff,” followed by dinner.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 – DUBLIN–GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–ENNIS

Your day begins with a drive to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, a scenic route takes you across the limestone plateau of The Burren with its strange and beautiful karst landscape to the 668-foot CLIFFS OF MOHER, where you savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 – ENNIS–RING OF KERRY–KILLARNEY

A day full of splendid scenery as you head south and stop at quaint Adare with its pretty thatched cottages. Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay to join the famed RING OF KERRY for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. There is plenty to focus your camera on here: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Travel on to the popular resort of Killarney for an overnight stay.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 – KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–WATERFORD

Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork, the route brings you to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. There is time here for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, and home to the famous crystal. After dinner this evening, enjoy an  IRISH COFFEE DEMONSTRATION.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 6 – WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN

Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s prettiest towns with medieval cobblestone streets and Old-World charm, is your first destination today. You will have time to discover the town on your own, visit the castle or the Design Centre or simply wander through the charming streets and be part of the Irish day-to-day life. Then, travel back to Dublin, and tonight, as a fitting farewell to Ireland, consider an optional evening with dinner, followed by dance, song, and laughter.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 – DUBLIN

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast Breakfast

Sound awesome?

Then get with “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad to pick your dates and get this scheduled….check this amazing destination off your bucket list!

2 Days in Barcelona Pre-cruise

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Barcelona – easily one of the most enjoyable cities on earth

La Ramblas – the tourism hub of Barcelona

 

There are many reasons why Barcelona is generally regarded as one of the Top 5 cities to visit in Europe….

I’m not gonna lie, flying all night then arriving in a foreign country, checking into a hotel for a quick change then off to a e-bike tour on virtually no sleep is a bit aggressive, but I’m glad we did it (not sure my wife feels the same lol). It’s either go tour and be active or go to sleep and lose several hours of exploring time. We chose to see all we could in the short time we had there

e-bike tour booked through Viator – 12 participants – a good time all around

We covered alot of ground on those bikes – From landmarks to archaeological excavations to parks to the beach and more

Interestingly the beach area in Barcelona is relatively new, and a key component of the revitalization of the city. Investments into re-imagining the city as a tourist destination rather than an industrial powerhouse led to the 1992 Summer Olympics being held in the city and they haven’t looked back – now Barcelona is widely regarded as one of the top cities in the world for tourists

 

After some sightseeing on the e-bikes then it was time to sample some tapas from one of the more famous tapas restaurants – Els Quatre Gats (4 cats) which is widely known as one of Pablo Picasso’s favorite bars

 

But on to other things….

La Sagrada Familia

If there is one thing that Barcelona is know for (besides tapas) it’s Antoni Gaudi’s masterpience – La Sagrada Familia

Construction continues at La Sagrada Familia

Imagine a work so vast that the architect knew, at less than 30 years of age, that construction would last well beyond his death. While this looks massive now, it will eventually soar to a much taller height and a much broader footprint when complete

Construction began in 1882 – they are hopeful of completion by 2026 (in honor of the 100th year anniversary of Gaudi’s death)

The inside is an homage to nature as much as it is to Jesus and to fully understand I recommend a good guide – it’s so worth the extra $$ and photos just do not do justice to this masterpiece

We booked a 3 hours guided tour of La Sagrada Familia in conjunction with a tour of the Hospital Sant Pau. Initially I was indifferent to the tour starting at some hospital, eventhough I was understanding that for there to be a tour it must be something worth seeing. That said, I was blown away. Not only was this once public hospital a masterpiece of efficiency it was also architecturally amazing and beautiful.

our Context Tours guide Zaida was both charming and an expert in the Catalan culture

Once again photos are difficult capture the overall feel but imagine that this is just one of the many separate buildings serving patients with varying illnesses

and here is a model of the fully functional hospital where the main building served as an admittance and admin building then patients were transferred to the appropriate wing via underground tunnels that were well lit from skylights strategically placed throughout the gardens filled with healing herbs and aromatic plants.

So what else does Barcelona offer?

Well…the $15.50 EU bottles of Cava at the cafe across the street from the hotel were pretty great….

and there is SO much more to relate!

For help planning your next great getaway – be it Barcelona or anywhere else amazing please consider turning to “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad where we leverage relationships on a daily basis to help insure that you have the time of your life on each and every vacation

 

Wine themed River Cruise on Danube

By | Blog, Cruise, Europe, Uncategorized | No Comments

Wine, wine and more wine!

As I write this I am sailing down the Danube river through Austria on AmaWaterways gorgeous ship AmaCerto enjoying a 7 night wine themed river cruise.

If you know anything about a river cruise with AmaWaterways you probably know that they include wine and beer for both lunch and dinner (and champagne for breakfast!) – but what you might not know is that on a wine themed cruise there are so many more opportunities to discover new favorites during several tastings that are included, such as the tour and tasting at Castle Gobelsburg pictured below.

I can’t speak for every single wine themed cruise, but on this one there is a vineyard from California named Graveyard Vineyards that is hosting even MORE wine tastings.
So what does that look like? Well here’s our experience during a week on AmaCerto

  • Monday – board ship – lunch (with wine)  – Dinner at Chef’s Table with several courses and wine pairings – late night City Illuminations tour (outstanding cruise along Budapest waterfront with buildings lighted)
  • Tuesday – Morning excursion consisting of Budapest city walk, city market then back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon wine tasting courtesy Graveyard Vineyards and a terrific dinner in the main dining room
  • Wednesday – Breakfast (with Champagne), Lunch (with wine), Dinner (with wine) then an evening of traditional Viennese fun with lots of wine, dancing & song at Winery & Heuriger Christ
  • Thursday – Breakfast (forgot the champagne) then excursion -Bike ride in Vienna then lunch (with wine). Mid-afternoon wine tasting and aroma sampling courtesy Graveyard Vineyards then an after dinner excursion to Castle Gobelsburg for wine tastings
  • Friday – Hike to Durnstein castle then wine and apricot tasting in Durnstein, Austria. Back to the ship for lunch with wine then late afternoon excursion to Castle Clam for a wine tasting before dinner (with wine)
  • Saturday – Most people with full day excursions so late breakfast (champagne if desired) then late dinner in private dining with plenty of wine!
  • Sunday – Breakfast (champagne again??) – lunch (wine again??) – pre-dinner champagne toast to the week that has been – pre-dinner Oktoberfest celebration in port of Passau (lots of beer) – dinner (with wine)
  • Monday – Time to leave, but friends made and experiences shared will last a lifetime….

Oh – and it is TOTALLY not just about the wine…this was an outstanding cruise with terrific tours included – much more on the highlight destinations of Budapest, Vienna, Durnstein, Linz & more coming up on future blog posts

Oh…and the cuisine!

To learn more about AmaWaterways, River Cruising, or all sorts of other vacation planning just get in touch with “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad

Paris- I Can’t Wait!

By | Europe, Family Travel, Romance | No Comments

Paris in the Spring

I don’t know how many times have I heard how wonderful Paris is in the spring…and NOW we can get there from Indy non-stop starting THIS spring at a very reasonable rate (think from around $1600+ pp for a few nights incl flights + hotel!)

Sure – figure on spending a few $$ on some amazing food & wine + tours (explaining the food and wine) but leaving home in the late afternoon and arriving in one of the world’s greatest citiesthe early(-ish) morning just in time for a full day in the city + a few more…Yes!!

Rest assured that  “Your friends….in the travel business”  at EZTravelPad are checking out the options so you can have the time of your life…no matter how much time you have!

Imagine touring the Louvre with a small group (no more than 6 people) and your Docent is this young lady…

 

Time to go!

Actually – if you can’t wait until spring and you want to join Michelle and I there for Thanksgiving come help us explore!

We’ll be experiencing things so YOU get the best advice possible!

When you are ready reach out to us

Join EZTravelPad as we Cruise the Mediterranean in 2018

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Cruise the Mediterranean in Style with EZTravelPad

That’s right – please consider joining us on a Mediterranean cruise aboard Celebrity Constellation sailing from Barcelona, Spain on June 30, 2018

We will be hitting some of the best and most historic ports in Europe such as Rome –

Italy, Rome, Colosseum, monument, historical, couple, scooter, Shore Excursions, Europe, sightseeing, Vespa

Italy, Rome, Colosseum, monument, historical, couple, scooter, Shore Excursions, Europe, sightseeing, V

 

…and many more!

You will never forget the times we share as we sail the Italian Renaissance itinerary to the following cities-

 

DAY PORT ARRIVE DEPART
1 Barcelona, Spain 5:00 PM
2 Cannes, France 10:00 AM 8:00 PM
3 Genoa, Italy 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
4 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
5 At Sea
6 Kotor, Montenegro 10:00 AM 6:00 PM
7 Zadar, Croatia 11:00 AM 7:00 PM
8 Venice, Italy 6:30 AM
 Number of Nights: 7

 

If you prefer a visual, here’s the map

Italian Renaissance Cruise map

 

Seriously – how awesome is this itinerary!!??

Of course we will be doing lots of exploring on the mainland and we will be kicking things off a couple days early arriving in Barcelona early enough to catch a few of the sites and doing the same in Venice at the end of the cruise

Pricing is as follows (just a sample of some)

  • $1209 per person on a Cat 9 Inside Cabin
  • $1689 per person for a Cat 4 Oceanview cabin
  • $2159 per person for a Cat 2A Balcony cabin

Also the current sale gets 1 free perk with options including-

  • Free Unlimited Beverage Package (includes alcohol drinks)
  • Free WiFi
  • Prepaid Gratuities

So are you interested in joining us to go see Europe in style?

Contact Scott for complete details!

 

4 Days in Paris…So Many Possibilities!

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Is a Visit to Paris on YOUR Bucket List?

There are few people for which a visit ti Paris is not near the top of their travel wish list.Why? There are as many reasons as there are visitors, but some of the top reasons millions visit the City of Lights are to experience the:

  • History
  • Culture
  • Culinary Experiences
  • Shopping
  • Architecture
  • Wine

It doesn’t have to cost arm and a leg to go either…Imagine a package for a 4 day/3 night getaway including round trip transfers from the airport to your centrally located hotel  such as Mercure Paris Montmartre Sacre Coeur priced from just $771 per person –

Arrive on Day 1 early in the day to wander, shop, sip and stroll the gorgeous streets of Paris

Day 2 includes a terrific array of organized sightseeing including

Morning guided sightseeing at NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, the Opéra, Place de la Concorde, and Arc de Triomphe. Drive by the Seine River with its beautiful bridges, and stop to take photos of the iconic Eiffel Tower from one of the best panoramic viewing points. Also enter the world’s most visited museum, THE LOUVRE with its modern glass pyramid, to see Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and other treasures (Louvre replaced with Seine cruise on Tuesdays)

Day 3 is completely free to enjoy the city at you own pace or add on one of the several options shown below-

Dinner and Cabaret Show at the Famous Lido
Price Range: $$$$

Enjoy dinner and the new cabaret show at the Famous Lido, located on the famous Champs-Elysees. Its revues have added sparkle to the City of Light since 1946. The Lido boasts a panoramic theater without columns, to ensure perfect visibility for the entire audience.

An Evening at the Moulin Rouge
Price Range: $$$$

Enjoy an exciting evening at the world-renowned Parisian cabaret, Moulin Rouge!

 

Seine River Cruise
Price Range: $$$

There’s no better way to see the City of Light. Enjoy a cruise on the River Seine followed by a guided discovery tour to admire monuments of Paris, including the Concorde, Opera, Madeleine, and Champs Elysees.

 

Private Guided Tour
Price Range: $$$$

This private tour with a professional, certified local guide is the ideal way to discover the City of Light. Make the most of your Paris experience at your pace and in your style – after all, it is your trip!

 

Eiffel Tower Dinner and Seine Cruise
Price Range: $$$$

Combine Parisian legends in this unforgettable evening.

 

Claude Monet’s Giverny & Museum of Impressionism
Price Range: $$$

Drive along the Seine Valley to the home of Claude Monet, leader of the Impressionist movement. Visit the house, the former studio, and stroll through the garden, a famous source of inspiration for many celebrated artists. Also visit the beautiful new Musée des Impressionistes nearby.

 

Disneyland® Paris (1 day ticket, 2 parks)
Price Range: $$$$

The happiest place on earth has a European address. Come and live the magic at Disneyland ® Paris with this 1-day entrance to Disneyland ®Parks.

 

Mont St. Michel Including Lunch
Price Range: $$$$

Enjoy the landscapes of the Normandy region on a full-day guided excursion to the 11th-century Mont Saint Michel Abbey, a famous pilgrimage center in the Middle Ages. Enjoy also a lunch at a local restaurant that faces the island and spend some time to stroll around the village.

 

Guided Visit of the D-Day Landing Beaches
Price Range: $$$$

This full-day minibus excursion includes Pointe du Hoc, the American Cemetery, and Omaha Beach. After an included lunch, see the ruins of Arromanches artificial harbor. The sense of history and importance of these sites is inescapable.

 

The Palace of Versailles
Price Range: $$$

Admire the historic Versailles, the beautiful, restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King.

 

Claude Monet’s Giverny & Palace of Versailles
Price Range: $$$$

Travel to Claude Monets Giverny with a guided visit of the wonderful gardens. Later admire the lavish 17th century Palace of Versailles.

 

1 Day Trip to Provins, Medieval city
Price Range: $$

With 58 historic monuments, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has to be seen to be believed. Preserved as a striking medieval city, the city of Provins has preserved its striking medieval appearance.

 

Loire Valley and Lunch
Price Range: $$$$

Visit 11th-century Amboise Castle, the manor house of Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked from 1515 until his death in 1519, and Chenonceau Castle, built over the River Cher.

 

Discovery of Champagne
Price Range: $$$$

Cheers! Enjoy a full-day excursion by minibus to the Champagne region. See the vineyards of the Champagne region as you travel along the country roads.

 

Guided Visit of the Somme Battlefields
Price Range: $$$$

Learn the history and discover the area which was home to some of the most terrible battles of the Great War – the Battle of the Somme.

————————

4 Days & 3 Nights not long enough to experience all you would like to?

No problem – stretch it to 7 days for only about $417 more per person!

Of course pricing is only a snapshot in time, varies based on specific dates of travel (this example is based on early December – excellent for some unique Christmas gifts this year!), specific hotel chosen, and does not include flights but there are some terrific deals floating around so why wait?

Go visit Paris now because…..YOU deserve it don’t you?

See much more about the why the Monograms experience is a terrific way to visit Paris and many other destinations worldwide at this link (watch the video to REALLY understand!)

Doing things yourself is so much easier when you reap the benefits of working through the travel pros at EZTravelPad (don’t go it alone…get the help you deserve!)

EZTravelPad is a travel agency helping people experience better vacations while getting the best overall value possible!

European River Cruises – Near the Top of Your Bucket List?

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European River Cruises Offer Europe from a Seldom seen Perspective

You may have never heard of a European River Cruise, or it may be on your bucket list. You may have cruised the Danube or Rhine, or may know someone who has. In any case, if it’s not yet on your radar, it soon will be. As U.S. Baby Boomers see their portfolios recover from the Great Recession – and enter retirement with an energy and youthful exhuberance not seen before – with a desire to see the world, and the means to make it happen, what is on their bucket list?

As more mature couples fall in love and marry, what are they looking for in a Honeymoon? Beaches and a tropical paradise are great when you are young but at a certain point- for many, the desire for a little something different emerges…

River Cruises Top Bucket List for Many

Check out this short video to give you a sense of what this travel niche offers

 

3 Ways to See Europe

Esentially there are 3 ways to see Europe

  • Fly in to a city or two and experience them for a few days at a time
  • Tour several countries by a combination of bus and rail
  • Cruise the rivers

Each of these strategies are great- nothing wrong with doing them all- and you know the easiest way to get it done, right?

Contact “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelpad – where if we don’t know the answer there is a good chance we are friends with an expert on the subject, so one call does it all.

Have fun, see the world, enjoy your life starting now- it goes very, very quickly!