Nothing is more rewarding than an early morning walk after a thunderstorm. This is what we did on our stop in the Dalmatian capital Dubrovnik after Crystal Symphony docked yesterday morning. Crisp air, blue skies and a nice breeze made for perfect climate to discover this walled city. Limestone cobbled streets Our guide Dennis took… Continue reading Old vs New – Crystal Cruises – Dubrovnik & Kataklon

Crystal Symphony in Korcula 24 hours at sea across the Adriatic from our Port of Fusina departure point, we arrived at the Croatian trade port of Korcula. Nestled on its own island’s southern tip, just 15 minutes across the straight from the Croatian mainland, this medieval gem happens to also be the documented place of… Continue reading Old vs New – Crystal Cruises – Korcula

All aboard and ship ahoy! Crystal Sumphony from tender boat Crystal Symphony left Korcula at 11pm last night for a short sailing to Dubrovnik but that is only half the story. A massive and thunderous storm whipped through the area during dinner hours that left us speechless. Mother Nature served up her own version of… Continue reading Old vs New – Crystal Cruises sails again

Boarding at Venice port for Crystal Symphony One of the casualties of the pandemic was the demise of a beloved 28 year love story between guests and the crew of Crystal Cruises. Late 2021, the parent company Genting Hong Kong folded in dramatic fashion leaving guests of three cruise brands globally stranded and ships seized… Continue reading Old vs New – Crystal Cruises

EuroCity 53 in Milan Every visit must come to an end eventually, so I packed my bags and boarded a Swiss railways train to Milan. For decades, this route was operated by Cisalpino dual-current trains which were replaced in 04 by new Alstom built Astoro high velocity sets. Luxurious and silent, these tilting trains provide… Continue reading Switzerland to Italy by High-Speed Train

Oceania Vista in Valletta, Malta Two days after boarding in Rome, our brand spanking new, sleek, and ultra-smooth ship arrived in historic Valletta, Malta for its formal christening. Full of anticipation, our Direct Travel team was met by Oceania’s sales team under Tricia Wolf’s leadership for an outdoor reception on the Spa Terracce on deck… Continue reading Christening of Oceania Vista – Part One

The world’s steepest cable train A few months after Pikes Peak, I was fortunate to ride another legendary train, this time to my house mountain called Niesen overlooking mighty lakes Thun and Brienz. It’s been at least 35 years since I last rode this fabulous train. Lots changed in my life to say the least,… Continue reading Swiss Alps by cable train

Due to a fuel pump issue on our United Boeing 777, the flight to Rome was two hours late on arrival at Roma Fiumicino airport. In smart travel advisor fashion, I had planned my train connections well in advance and with a three hour buffer. All of a sudden, given Italy’s reputation for delays and… Continue reading Trenitalia – high speed – high friction

Famed Bar at Luba Baglioni Venice has been the playground for the rich and famous for centuries, a fact reflected in it’s culinary and cocktail culture that is still alive today. From the famed Peach Bellini at Harry’s Bar to the godfather of Spritz drinks, the Select SPRITZ, this city carries more than it’s fair… Continue reading Venice in April – Gastronomia Venetiana

JW Marriott port cochere for boats Meetings completed, we headed out as a group to the farthest island in the lagoon called Burano. this charming town is best known for its lace making while it’s larger sister island Murano beguiles the world with is crystal glass manufacturing. Colorful canals of Burano About an hour by… Continue reading Venice in April – Burano excursion

No trip to Venice is complete without a gondola serenade The gray and rainy weather continues for a second day which is of great relief to the locals that saw canals run very low this winter with a rare drought. One of the positive benefits is the crowd as are smaller. Our visit this morning… Continue reading Venice in April – Palazzo’s and more

First step - board flight My first 3 months of 2023 were spent managing the eruption of travel demand mostly from my home office. That is changing today with my first international trip of the year. courtesy of Delta Vacations the spring meeting of our advisory board takes place in the magical Italian city of… Continue reading Venice in April – La Dolce Vita

Where has the first quarter of 2023 gone? I woke up this morning realizing that I had left my readers hanging as life moved at breakneck speed these first months. Fortunately there is travel on my calendar for the coming months and blogs will start flowing again. Pikes Peak Cog Rail at base station To… Continue reading Pikes Peak by cog rail

Celebration aboard Azamara Onward Now behind us, 2022 was an explosive combination of crises and turbulences paired with moments of joy and good fortune that everyone is glad to leave behind for a new start. In fact, a new chapter with 365 blank pages to fill lies ahead. I personally intend to make the best… Continue reading Christmas at Sea – Happy New Year & to a prosperous 23