Category

Sightseeing

Essence of Burgundy & Provence – a River Cruise with AmaWaterways – Join us!

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Join us on 7 Nights through France THIS September 30 – Oct 7, 2021

EZTravelPad is delighted to announce that we are headed back to Europe this September and would love for you to join us.

We will be embarking the AmaWaterways ship AmaCello at Chalon-Sur-Saone on Sep 30 to cruise the Rhone and the Saone rivers in route to Arles, France. Additionally, there are options to extend pre-cruise for 3 nights in Geneva, Switzerland and/or 3 nights in Barcelona, Spain post-cruise.

With a maximum of just 130 guests, the AmaCello is a perfect size to relax, enjoy, and meet new friends along the way.

Indulge in French flavors on a palate-pleasing itinerary that highlights the essence of France’s Burgundy and Provence. Uncover the Roman history of Chalon-sur Saône and delight in charming Tournus with its towering Romanesque abbey and historic apothecary shop. Visit French châteaux from Burgundy to Provence, taste your way through the French culinary capital of Lyon and visit the Papal Palace in Avignon. While you’ll get more than a taste of Burgundy and Provence during this itinerary, the essence of these destinations will linger on your palate – and in your heart – for a lifetime!

Along the way we will experience cities and towns including Tournus, Macon, Lyon, Vienne, Avignon, Arles & more

 

Celebrating a birthday in style

On day 5 (October 4) we will celebrate Scott’s 60th birthday with a Tasting Tour in Lyon – “France’s Culinary Capital” followed by a bike tour along the ViaRhona Bike Route. These are just 2 of the daily tour options which include many hiking, biking or tasting options multiple times per day (over 30 options throughout the week).

 

Every day you can choose to relax, or you can choose to explore, and every day your tours and your meals are included in the fare along with champagne for breakfast plus local beers & wines for lunch & dinner.

If you have always wanted to experience a river cruise

– or you have always wanted to explore more of France outside of Paris

– or you are just itching to get back to traveling and want to be included in a terrific experience that you will never forget, then this may be for you.

Pricing starts from only $3395 per person based on double occupancy (just $4814 for single occupancy)

Learn much more about AmaWaterways in this eBrochure or this video

We hope that you can join us, but if not then do consider this type of experience in the future – it is a wonderful way to experience Europe and beyond.

For more info contact us today!

 

RV Vacations are Popular in 2020 – EZTravelPad Can Help

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Rent a Motorhome and Find Your Own Way in your RV

It’s true – this is the year for the RV vacation. RVing has always been a popular option for American families, but this year especially, with Covid-19 raging and social distancing required, camping in the great outdoors is hugely popular.

RV sales have been through the roof, but that might be more of a commitment than you are willing to make right now. Fortunately there is an option. A trusted and reliable RV rental company such as CruiseAmerica can make the process simple, safe and a great value.

From less than $100 per day for the more compact variety, to a bit over $300 per night for the larger model that sleeps 7 can make for a terrific value (seasonal pricing does apply) – plus you can take along the family pets!

Whether you escape to a park not far from home, or take to the road of a long trip exploring some of the US National Parks, this could be a great option for your family.

See this blog post direct from CruiseAmerica for some additional info – and remember –

“Your friends….in the travel business” are here to help. When you think vacation, think EZTravelPad

Europe THIS Fall? Maybe?

By | Adventure, Europe, Family Travel, Honeymoons and Weddings, Luxury, Romance, Sightseeing | No Comments

Europe This Year? It May Be Awesome!

During this global pandemic especially, but really anytime- trusting experts to rely on vetted in-destination experts may be the key to most fully enjoying your experience.

Over the years I have built a reputation on knowing the destinations that I help people experience. Some of that is a result of direct, on the ground time spent in various destinations and resorts throughout the Caribbean – or on a variety of cruise ships both large and small….but I can’t go or know everywhere, and the other part of the equation that you may not realize is that I spend a significant amount of time at conferences networking with the top experts in destination to better understand what they offer, and who they are.

Going wide-open at a conference for 3 days can be fun, but it’s also hard work – and I do that to prepare to be able to better guide you when you want to experience a destination that I am less familiar with.

One of those destination experts is Titanium Tours specializing in Spain, Portugal and France. They may not be “the cheapest”, but I am not here to guide you to the cheapest experience possible – I am here to guide you to the BEST experience that you will long remember fondly. For that type of experience, Titanium is one of the best!

Below are some ideas from Titanium Tours – ideas that may inspire you to get a trip plan started – and maybe as soon as this fall, the best time of the year to go!

When to Go?

September – November are great months for travel to Spain, Portugal or France. The weather is still beautiful and autumn seasonal activities abound. According to the news coming from each country, we are confident that tourism will resume by then. As you can see above September and October are great months for travel in a typical year.

Furthermore, you can now find good fall airfares going to any of our airports. For example IND – BCN for well under $1000 ($600-700)  with one connection!

What to Book?

The beauty of custom independent tours and partnering with a company like Titanium Tours is that they can guide you to areas where COVID-19 is not present or has had little impact. They can help us help you to pick boutique hotels, less crowded routes, private experiences, etc where you will feel safe while traveling abroad. Their 3 countries in which they specialize have been impacted very differently and different areas of each country have been affected very differently. They can guide you to create an itinerary that’s both exciting and safe.

For instance, Portugal has had significantly less cases than France and Spain. If you want off the beaten path experiences, they can for example, take you 90 minutes north of Lisbon to our Castles and Wild Horses experience.

In France, you can avoid crowded areas to visit the Hill Top Villages of Luberon in Provence and go truffle hunting. Winter truffles are more aromatic and their season starts in November.

In Southern Spain, where COVID-19 has also had a much smaller impact, you can go to the private workshop of a silk shawl craftsman who’s family has been embroidering silk shawls, most typical in this region, for generations. Not only will you observe an artist at work, but you can even try your hand at it.

Or perhaps this is the year to go admire the beauty of the Azores….

The point is simply this – there is a big wonderful word of experience and the tourism industry is eager to help you discover them. In Europe it’s not all about cafes and museums – there are wonderful experiences to enjoy and still be safely guided!

EZTravelPad is here to guide you to the best tour operators with the best guides – who will help you have the best experience possible – custom designed for YOU!

We’re here to help when you are ready. Contact us today for more info

 

 

Krka National Park in Croatia – simply gorgeous

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Croatia is a HOT Destination in Europe

Well, it’s warm in the summer and cool in the winter – but as far as popular destinations are concerned Croatia is HOT!

Why? Well there are many reasons –

  • Croatia is one of several destinations made more popular by the HBO series Game of Thrones
  • Croatia offers a terrific array of  medieval cities
  • Croatia offers some amazing small ship cruises (mostly from cruiselines you have never heard of)
  • Croatia offers some of the most spectacular natural beauty to be found

Krka

Krka National Park is a popular place for hiking and enjoying the natural beauty of pristine waterfalls and more. On a recent cruise vacation we enjoyed a stop in the port city of Zadar (famous for it’s Sea Organ – a very unique piece of musical art). The Krka National Park was an offered excursion from Celebrity cruises so we checked it out and here’s what we found….

 

a beautiful forest populated by dozens of cascading waterfalls (too many and too vast to experience them all)

 

The hike was too short,..but it was beautiful

 

with some swimming possible…

 

in the waters just past the most beautiful of the falls in this area

 

Zadar-

Whether spending some time in port or staying in a hotel or nearby resort, the city of Zadar is a good place to spend some time shopping or dining. Actually I could not believe how affordable it was to purchase some great pastries!

There are some cool tours that allow you to experience the city by foot, bike, segway, kayak or e-scooter – or do something really exhilarating like going skydiving!

Yes…Croatia is beautiful with several national parks and other places of outstanding beauty, but there is so much more. Whether it’s an excursion while cruising on a mass market cruise ship, or a small ship cruise with several stops along the long Croatian coastline, or a fully independent yet structured tour incorporating several stops such as Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik & other parts of the interior of the country you can count on “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad for sound advice and the ability to leverage our relationships to make sure that you have the best possible experience!

 

Cruising into or out of Venice as a Port

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Venice, Italy – A lovely city to start or end your cruise vacation

There are not many things more enchanting than arriving to your Venice hotel in a water taxi.

Words and photos are not entirely capable of describing the emotions that you experience- the sounds, the sights, the sunshine on your face – the anticipation of visiting such an iconic destination.

Hotels-

Of course there are dozens and dozens of terrific hotels with varying levels of service. We chose the lovely Hotel Danieli located just steps from The Bridge of Sighs leading to Doges Palace and Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Plaza) – terrific service and as convenient as it gets.

Venice is a city built on 118 islands (some small and others tiny) connected by hundreds of bridges that make up the city. The history of Venice dates back around 1600 years so as you might imagine there are some amazing examples of many different types or architectural influences including Gothic, Byzantine, Islamic & more.  Below is but 1 of many gorgeous buildings

If you are a lover of any style of art and craftmanship then a visit to Murano is a must-do. Murano is a small island about 15 minutes boat ride from Venice. Complimentary tours are available and you will not see a better array of glassworks than you will here. The island is home to hundreds of glassblowers who have different specialties. The glassblowing demonstration is amazing

but what is more amazing is the showroom which consists of room upon room with unbelievable displays of artistic genius ranging from chandeliers to wine glasses and every type of glassware in between

St Marks’s Square & Basilica along with the Doges Palace are also must-see

Water Taxis and Gondolas

Of course no trip to Venice would be complete without spending some time on the water. Whether touring by water taxi…

or enjoying a gondola ride complete with serenade…

 

these are the memories that you will carry with you for many years to come (and of course taking a few photos helps too)!

Shopping

There are more shops that you can ever hope to get to even if staying for weeks – and cafes & restaurants are also in no short supply so save up some energy for that!

After a few hours of touring and shopping then a Spritz or 2 in a cafe is not to be missed

 

In short – Venice is simply magical and unforgettable.

When it’s time for your trip to Venice (or other bucket list destination) then you know you can turn to “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad for expert guidance and the best values to be found.

Escape to Imperial Europe

By | Blog, Europe, Romance, Sightseeing | No Comments

The more I experience Europe the more I want to go back…it gets under your skin…it lures you to return…it stays with you

A couple hours at Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the perfect way to unwind after a long flight

Imagine an 8 night itinerary beginning in Budapest for 2 nights, then 2 nights in Vienna, 2 nights in Prague, and finishing with 2 nights in Berlin

  • Transfers included
  • 8x Breakfast Included
  • 3x Dinner included
  • Guided Tours included
  • Good hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Mercure, Crown Plaza, etc) in the heart of the cities
  • Vacation Highlights

    BUDAPEST
    Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, panoramic view from Fishermen’s Bastion

    VIENNA
    Guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral

    PRAGUE
    Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Hradčany Castle grounds; [LF] farewell dinner at a local restaurant

    BERLIN
    Guided sightseeing, take pictures of Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial, visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church; farewell dinner

    Now imagine this

    …all of this

    Including International flights (from Chicago for example)

    All for under $1999 per person (based on double occupancy)

    Perhaps it’s time to get in touch with “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad