Sheila Gnish

Recently we just finished a Celebrity Cruise embarking in Rotterdam and sailing to England, Ireland and Scotland and Disembarking in Amsterdam.  Having an Ocean View Balcony can give you exceptional views while docked in port.  Personally with my clients I like to go over the route of the sailing so we place them on the port or starboard side of the ship so they have the best views while cruising.

Cruising can give you a more relaxed experience as you are only unpacking once to explore all the ports of call on your itinerary compared to a guided tour which will have you at many hotels over the course of the land package.  This is why it is good to discuss with your travel agent which option fits your needs the best.  Guided or self guided tour packages are a nice option if you want to explore certain destination for more than one day.

Since you are flying overseas to connect with your cruise ship or start your land tour package we always recommend you arrive at least one day prior to the start of your vacation.  This will help you adjust from jet lag and give you time to explore your first destination at your own leisure.  Both cruise lines and tour packages now allow you up to 3 days pre or post cruise or tour to take time to enjoy your destinations in more depth since it is not everyday we fly over to Europe from Canada or the USA.

Another favorite cruise we enjoyed is departing Copenhagen, Denmark and sailing to Poland, Sweden, Germany and Estonia.  There is a wealth of rich history in each of these destinations.  Tallinn you can take a walking tour that starts at the top of the city and has you walking down into the main town while passing historic churches and castles, they still have a pharmacy that has been open for almost 500 years.  

Another great tip if you have the time is to explore your destination on land such as Copenhagen, hop on a scenic canal ride through the city as seeing the city by water can give you a completely different prospective of the stunning city and then explore on land.  The Tivoli Gardens are a must see when visiting Copenhagen, take leisurely strolls through the gardens or enjoy the amusement park rides.

With the climate change we have seen a shift in tourism travel times starting in April and May and many booking into late November to enjoy cooler times and less congestion at major venues, plus it is usually a bit cheaper at these times in the season.

Whether you are taking a package to Rome, Florence and Venice or visiting Greece with main destinations of Athens, Mykonos or Santorini you again have the choice of cruise options or tour packages.  Portugal has been a hot destination with Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve region with many staying one month at a time.  

We have some clients that have the time to take a great cruise with a great itinerary then enjoy a nice land package at the end of your cruise.  Not everyone has the time to explore both options or take off for a few weeks.

Let my 17 years of cruising and my expertise help find the perfect cruise for your next vacation or explore the best tour package either guided or self guided for you.  Call Sheila Gnish with Indulge Yourself Vacations at 506-327-3944 or e-mail [email protected]