Archive for France

Relaxing and Romantic River Cruising in Europe 01 Mar 2016

Watch the beautiful landscape of Europe drift by your window as you glide by quaint villages, castles, and vineyards in your luxurious river ship.  Unlike ocean cruising, river ships have an intimate boutique atmosphere and give you quick and easy access to the ports you visits.

Unpack once and enjoy your floating hotel as you immerse yourself in the cultural delights of each region.  River ships are well-equipped with many comforts such as multiple dining options, fitness room, massage, live entertainment, and a hot tub or pool.  Many ships also carry bicycles on board to do some exploring on your own!

Experience for yourself what river cruising is all about by joining me for a very special journey in celebration of wine for 7 nights beginning October 28, 2016 in Bordeaux, France.  Not only will you receive a $500 discount off the normal cruise fare, but you will also enjoy special wine events hosted by Jon Rogers with Wines Without the Mystery.  Register by March 31 and also receive FREE pre-paid gratuities!  Call Jan Acorn for details at 602-923-1542 – space is limited.

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Create Lasting Memories Through Intergenerational Family Travel 01 Feb 2016

E451-940x330Have you found it more and more difficult to spend quality family time together, especially if some family members live far away? Consider planning a vacation that brings family members together in a fun and enriching way. Experiencing an adventure together or meeting in a relaxing paradise can create unforgettable memories while reconnecting and deepening family bonds.

Lots of exciting destinations make good choices. There are also numerous types of vacations to consider, being careful to choose a vacation that fits your family’s budget, interests and everyone’s availability. Pleasing everyone all of the time may not be possible, but having a variety of activities from which to choose will ensure there is something that appeals to each family member. Planning is key to making it successful and enjoyable for everyone. Here are a few helpful ideas to include in your planning process:

  • What dates will work best for everyone?
  • Establish a budget and decide who will pay – communicate this to all family members to avoid surprises
  • Decide the type of vacation – adventuresome, cultural, physically active, relaxing, learning, etc.
  • How much time is expected to spend together and what alone time may be available?

intergenerational travelAn ocean cruise can be an ideal choice for family travel since there is a wide variety of activities available, as well as cabin types and dining options. Some family members can choose to be very active while others can choose to relax during the day, but everyone can gather again at least for dinner. Choose from luxury ships (like Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas or Paul Gauguin), more mainstream cruise ships (such as Princess or Royal Caribbean) to eco-adventure or sailing ships (such as Lindblad Expeditions or Windstar), and from itineraries all around the world.

A number of tour operators specialize in family travel so you may want to take advantage of itineraries offered by one of these companies… Disney ventured into ocean cruising several years ago but now also offers luxurious land tours on all continents and will soon introduce river cruising in Europe. Tauck, a luxury land tour operator who also offers river cruising in Europe, offers specific itineraries for families including African safaris. Thomson Family Adventures, with roots as a successful safari operator, has specialized in family travel since 1998. Backroads offers premium or luxury bicycling and multi-sport trips throughout the world and offers a number of itineraries geared for families.

Call Gateway Destinations to create unforgettable memories through extraordinary travel for your family, 602-923-1542.

Categories : Blog, Custom Tours, Europe, France
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Idyllic Life in the French Countryside 01 Dec 2015

french restaurantWithout question, the romantic city of Paris has a lot to offer and shouldn’t be missed, but don’t overlook the rich and varied countryside when visiting France. Venturing beyond the City of Lights is a journey of the senses. Each region boasts it’s own treasures – traditional recipes found only in that region of France, varied landscape ranging from majestic mountains to quaint seaside villages or luxurious beachfront resorts, and still very visible today is the historical evidence of the Celts, Greeks, Romans and Franks. In addition, several fascinating caves filled with prehistoric drawings have been found. Distinctive cheeses and wines are produced in various parts of the French countryside, further setting each region apart.

IMG_2203For over 20 years, I have delighted in exploring France, and there still remains a lot to be discovered. A recent month-long exploration of Brittany in the northwest introduced me to new foods and delicious apple cider, the Celtic language (sub-titled on most road signs) and mysterious stone monoliths. Even having visited the infamous medieval city and abbey of Mont Saint-Michel before, I was eager to once again visit this stunning example of man’s ingenuity in design. Miles and miles of scenic coastline canbe explored on wonderful footpaths in Brittany. Roads are in excellent condition making it easy to drive on your own and the region is well served by train.

Here are a few photos to give you a glimpse of this beautiful and peaceful region of France, but I encourage you to take your own photos and create your own memories. Let our experience show you how–call us today to begin planning your custom journey into the French countryside!

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Categories : Blog, France, Paris
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Looking for More Adventure on Your Vacation? 01 Nov 2015

Many American travelers are demanding more adventure in their vacations. This ranges from exploring mainstream destinations in a non-ordinary way to thrill-seeking experiences. Whether you are a solo traveler, traveling as a couple, with friends or your family, all levels of adventure await you. A few considerations for soft adventures include:

  • Exploring a city like Paris or Rome by bicycle or Segway instead of on foot or by a coach bus
  • Tracing some of the Tour de France route on your own bicycle
  • Multi-sport vacations involving a variety of active experiences such as hiking, biking and kayaking–Backroads makes this possible in a number of countries as well as in the US
  • Exploring the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina on horseback–Austin Adventures offers great itineraries to this area
  • Small ship cruising to explore the Galapagos Islands, Alaska or other destinations–tour operators such as G Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions offer both adult and family adventures
  • Hiking from lodge to lodge, or by train then a one day hike to the top of Machu Picchu
  • Expedition cruising to the Antarctic or Arctic Circle–even luxury cruises are available such as with Silversea
  • An African safari by jeep or on foot
  • Dog-sledding in Alaska or exploring Iceland’s tundra by snow mobile in summer

For those seeking more adventure, a few ideas include:

  • White-water rafting the Grand Canyon
  • Heli-skiing in North America and other parts of the world
  • Swimming with sharks or cage-diving in such places as South Africa, Belize, Fiji and other areas
  • Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda or the Republic of Congo–watch for my upcoming blog about Uganda soon!
  • Hiking Kilimanjaro-possible even for families through Thomson Family Adventures
  • Exploring Vietnam by Vespa
  • Hiking and camping along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu–Austin Adventures can organize this with hot showers and gourmet cuisine

Looking for ideas for your next adventure? Call for a free 20-minute consultation, 602-923-1542.

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Enjoy the Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise 13 Nov 2014

Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise

Do you want to enjoy a self-serve wine bar? You can do so at a Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise. It is one of the most popular cruises in the world today set in the French region. Gateway Destinations is proud to offer a Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise tour for anyone who wants to relax and discover the best French wine.

The Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise tour is similar to the Alsatian Wine Route because you get to know more about wine. But it’s also different because this wine cruise tour is very exclusive. Only 22 guests are fortunate to get on the cruise at a time. Singles or couples can go on this custom tour and enjoy six nights cruising Southwestern France along the River Garonne, Gironde Estuary, and Dordogne River near Bordeaux.

This cruise is set in a cozy and air-conditional hotel barge. It’s a small boat used in canals or rivers so this tour is one intimate party. If you love French wine, you may want to attend a Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise organized by Gateway Destinations. We’ve partnered with France Cruises for this wine tasting experience. It’s a unique tour aboard a barge where you can meet new friends, spend time with your loved ones, or simply taste the most delectable wine in France.

The Bordeaux region has numerous celebrated wines and you can taste them on board at France Cruises. A personal wine connoisseur will introduce you to Bordeaux region’s best wines.

You will also get to explore Bordeaux and journey through the idyllic Perigord countryside. Enjoy a whole day of wine tasting, sightseeing, and enjoying a visit to a prehistoric cave. Visit a foie gras farm and taste this very famous local delicacy.

For more information about the Bounties Of Bordeaux Wine Cruise, contact Gateway Destinations. 

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