My journey to Cuba with Azamara Club Cruises was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend this opportunity to explore Cuba.  I have sailed with Azamara several times and thoroughly enjoy the size of ship and amenities on board.  Couple highlights on Cuba:

• The local tour guides that we booked thru Azamara were good to excellent, and we learned a great deal.  Once the tour is finished, you are free to wander around on your own.
• Very little crime in Cuba, we always felt safe walking around.
• I loved the architecture in Havana – what a beautiful city!  Many buildings have been restored, others damaged by age, neglect, or hurricane damage (most recently Irma last fall).
• There are 4 main plazas in Havana, all lovely!   The Plaza de San Francisco is right across from the pier, and the others are all within walking distance (Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Cathedral).  
• Music is everywhere, and quite good.  The band will ask you to purchase their CD, or otherwise a cash donation, so helpful to have cash on hand.  
• Vintage US cars are everywhere – we were told there are over 60,000 on the island.  The bright colors are beautiful!  You can negotiate with the owner for a ride.  
• We visited 2 other Cuban ports of call – Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos, both with historical interest.  Full day tours at both (at Cienfuegos, we chose to go to the nearby city of Trinidad).  All have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  

Azamara highlights:
• Azamara hosts one Azamazing Evening on each cruise – it is complimentary, but make sure to sign up for it.  For this itinerary, it was a wonderful performance of Cuban music and dance at a beautiful local theater.
• Azamara hosts a “White Night” on every cruise, which was lovely.  Held outdoors, the food quality and variety were excellent.  Since it was very windy and chilly, the crew brought out blankets for those of us who needed them!  Remember to bring your white attire!
• If interested in dining at the Specialty Restaurants, at this point they can only be booked once onboard. Times fill up extremely quickly, especially for days at sea so board as early as possible, and go immediately to book reservations before even going to their cabin.  The food and ambiance at both Aqualina and Prime C were excellent, $30 per person unless staying in a suite.

In 2017 I traveled to the Castile and Leon region of Spain ( northwestern Spain).  Full of history, this area was once home to the Spanish Royal Court, has over 200 fortresses/castles, and 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.    Spring or Fall is the perfect time to go - our weather was quite pleasant, ranging between mid 30’s in the early morning to 50’s or low 60’s during the day.  
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This trip also concentrated on gastronomy, and we were fortunate to eat both lunch and dinner at the top places in town.  From exquisite soups to the many types of pork, beef, veal, fish, etc., the meals were some of the best I’ve experienced anywhere.    
So, why would you travel to this area?  Obviously, the most popular destinations in Spain are Barcelona, Madrid, and the Andalucía area (Seville, Granada, etc.).  Here are a few points:
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•    Perfect for the more experienced traveler who has already toured other areas of Europe
•    Uncrowded!  We all know that countries such as Italy or France are ridiculously packed with tourists, even in late fall.  
•    Very inexpensive, compared to other places in Europe.  
•    Food is excellent, and wine tourism is very important here as well.
•    Architecture is stunning….I saw more beautiful buildings here than in many other European cities.
•    History surrounds you….it's like you’ve stepped back in time.  Especially since you’re in smaller towns, where you are easily able to experience the atmosphere.
•    Art, both historic and contemporary…over 400 museums
•    Festivals – almost 100, and the Holy Week festivities are extremely popular.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Spain adventure - I’ve been to Europe over 15 times, and would definitely recommend this area to anyone!

There are very few places in the world that can offer such an incredible diversity of scenery, climate, and vacation pleasures as Costa Rica does. 26% of the country has been set aside as protected area, rich with wildlife, dense rainforests, and opportunities for eco-adventures.  In an area as small as the state of West Virginia, there is everything from tropical beaches, volcanoes, scuba diving, sports fishing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking canopy tours, bird watching (over 890 species), golf, and much more!  Opportunities for wildlife viewing are excellent throughout the country, but advise clients to keep in mind that they are not on an African Safari, but rather, a Costa Rican Treasure Hunt!  

Climate: 2 seasons – “Green” or rainy season, from May-Oct, and the “Dry” season, from Nov – April.  In the dry season, it still rains, but not every day as in the rainy season. The average temperature doesn’t vary much year-round, from lows in the 70’s to highs in the 80’s.  However, areas at a higher elevation such as San Juan, Monteverde, and Arenal can be 15 – 20 degrees cooler.  In the rainforest areas, the humidity can be almost 100%.

SAN JOSE – most clients will fly in and out of San Jose unless they are only spending time in the Guanacaste area, in which case they will fly into Liberia.  Quite frankly, San Jose doesn’t offer much of interest to clients. It is the largest city in Costa Rica, with a population of 2 million people (out of 4 million total in the whole country).  Most people use San Jose only as an overnight before continuing on elsewhere in the country, although day trip excursions are easily arranged, if so desired (to Arenal, for example).

ARENAL VOLCANO – Costa Rica’s most active volcano, located 3 hours north of San Jose.  Arenal puts on an unforgettable light and smoke show nearly every day.  Nighttime viewing is the most spectacular, with glowing lava and mini-explosions lighting up the sky (weather dependent, of course). 

MONTEVERDE – 4 1/2  hours from San Jose, and settled by American Quakers in 1951.  The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve covers 26,000 acres or over 40 square miles.  Guided hikes or maps for do-it-yourselfers give access to the well-marked trails, waterfalls, and observation areas.  I recommend a guide, in order to better observe the amazing variety of flora and fauna.  With luck, you may even spot the “Resplendent Quetzal”, truly 1 of the most beautiful birds in the world. 

The above 2 areas are rich in natural attractions, such as thermo-mineral hot springs, waterfall hikes, hanging bridges walks, whitewater rafting, river float trips, zipline canopy tours, horseback riding, bird-watching, butterfly farms, ATV tours, and much more! 

GUANACASTE – in the northwestern part of Costa Rica, on the Pacific, this area is where the most popular beaches are, and is much more developed than the Caribbean side. So, it naturally is the ideal place for those to want to enjoy water sports such as snorkeling or SCUBA diving, deep-sea fishing, etc.  The town of Tamarindo is famous for excellent surfing conditions.  However, there are also numerous national parks such as the Palo Verde wildlife sanctuary, only accessible by guided tour boat, where you can observe a variety of birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and iguanas.  The Guanacaste area also offers kayak trips, Mangrove Tours, whitewater rafting, volcano hikes, ATV tours, and of course, more zipline canopy tours.  A day trip to Arenal is possible from Guanacaste.  Depending on the location of the hotel, the Liberia Airport is roughly ½ hour – 1 hour away.  There will be a new Hilton Garden Inn opening across from the airport in Dec 2008, a nice option for guests who have an early departure. 

CARIBBEAN COAST- despite its name, this is not necessarily the area to go for a beach vacation.  Large portions of the coast are protected as national parks and backed by dense jungle.  The best-known area is Tortuguero, 47,000 acres, with plenty of wetlands, rivers, lagoons, and canals that serve as a window through which the visitor can admire the amazing flora and fauna, making it a wonderful experience for nature lovers.  Monkeys, caimans, sloths, toucans, manatees, jaguars, and over 405 species of birds abound in the area. Approximately 3000 green sea turtles come to shore each season between July and October to lay their eggs, with Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Leatherback turtles also coming ashore July – Sept.  There is an airstrip (currently closed for renovation) across from the Tortuga Lodge, with another airstrip 2 hours north (via boat) at Barra del Colorado. 

DRIVING IN COSTA RICA:  Costa Rica is a small country, but many places can take a longer amount of time to get to than you may expect. The narrow roads, while generally paved, are not always very good, with huge potholes, or are even washed out in the rainy season, plus there are lots of hills, and many curves!  Signage is poor, and by their own admission, Tico (local) drivers are not good.  Add to this the lack of sidewalks outside of San Jose, so people and animals are sharing the roads alongside cars.  And, of course, except in San Jose, street lights are minimal at best!  If you insist on renting a car, a 4-wheel drive is a must, especially in the rainy season.  Secure parking isn’t readily available, and break-ins are evidently frequent.  If clients don’t want a tour, recommend that they either fly (if possible), hire a driver, or utilize Gray Line, which provides connections just about anywhere a tourist wants to go. 

A&K comments:  this fam trip was sponsored by A&K, who naturally did a superb job!  Our guide was unbelievable, knowledgeable about anything and everything.  All details were handled perfectly, with contingency plans in place to account for weather delays or any other unforeseen issues.  

CLIENT MOBILITY:  whether traveling on an escorted tour or independently, clients must be relatively mobile in order to best experience the highlights of Costa Rica.  They should be able to maneuver in and out of boats, handle a fair amount of steps and uneven terrain, walk several miles, etc.  There are numerous modes of transportation used, from 3-12 passenger planes, 10-15 passenger boats, SUVs on very curvy, potholed roads, etc.  Several people in our group ended up not feeling very well after experiencing some of the above!  

ZIP LINE TOURS - In recent years, canopy experiences and rides have come into vogue in Costa Rica. There is NO government safety regulation of these activities. A few self-regulate and use acceptable safety practices. MOST do not. There have already been three deaths involving a canopy ride in Costa Rica and frankly, it is surprising that there have not been more.  

TYPICAL SOUVENIRS:       coffee, of course, with “Café Britt” being a recommended brand.  Usually, the grocery store has the best prices. Other popular handicrafts are wood products, such as bowls, platters, carvings, etc. 

FOOD & DRINK:  a typical meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is “gallo pinto” or rice & beans (which I found relatively bland).  Plantains are plentiful, and they serve a variety of tropical fruit, including excellent pineapple.  Otherwise, lots of the standard chicken, beef, and fish.  Costa Rican wine is not recommended by anyone!  The beer, however, is fine, according to my husband.  The primary brands are: Bavaria (gold, dark, and light), Imperial, and Pilsen.  A popular mixed drink is a “Guaro Sour”, made from a sugar cane-based liquor named Guaro. Surprisingly, the coffee served is not always the best, except at the nicer hotels, since the “good stuff” is mostly exported. 

PURA VIDA! Pura Vida (POO-rah VEE-dah), is a Costa Rican phrase you will hear quite often, that literally translated means "Pure Life."  It is used as a greeting, a farewell, and to express satisfaction.  PURA VIDA also means "I am doing alright", "I'm doing perfect" and "Thank you".

HOTEL REVIEWS

ARENAL NAYARA:  Small lodge, with 24 wonderful casita rooms with outside shower (plus a standard inside shower), jacuzzi on the deck with view of Arenal Volcano, beautiful lush grounds, 1 restaurant. 

MONTEVERDE LODGE: Located next to the Cloud Forest, outside the town of Santa Elena, this lodge offers standard accommodations, with walking trails on the grounds.  Inviting restaurant/bar area with fireplace. 

TORTUGA LODGE:  Rustic lodge, very basic, across the river from the Airstrip (currently closed for renovation), and across the river from turtle nesting beach.  Excellent guides offer trips down the river and “canals” to spot monkeys and numerous birdlife.

REALINTERCONTINENTAL: Located outside of the city, next to a mall, about 20-30 minutes from the San Jose Airport.  Typical “business” hotel, large rooms, several restaurants, and a nice pool/garden area. 

PEACE LODGE at LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS:  This property, located about an hour from the San Jose Airport, would make a nice pre or post stay for clients touring Costa Rica, rather than staying right in the city. Every room has a jacuzzi and a stone fireplace, with waterfall “showers” and oversized balconies.  The best part, however, is that the lodge is located at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.  You could easily spend the entire day at the Park, with 3.5 kilometers of trails overlooking spectacular waterfalls, a hummingbird garden that enables you to see dozens of the gorgeous creatures up close, a butterfly observatory, serpentarium, as well as areas for monkeys, orchids, and much more, all within a beautiful, natural setting.

Such a small country with so much to offer!  We began our journey in the fall of 2007 in the capital of Lisbon, exploring its rich cultural heritage, historic neighborhoods, and great nightlife, and ended with a few days relaxing on the breathtaking beaches of the Algarve. 

In between, we toured the picturesque village of Sintra with its 2 fabulous palaces, the charming walled towns of Obidos and Evora, and the magnificent monasteries of Alcobaca and Batalha.  From dramatic coastline to lush green landscapes, the countryside was simply beautiful.  Sampling the varied cuisine and wines, especially port, was an enjoyable "must"!

We spent several nights in historic Pousadas, which are castles, convents, fortresses or palaces, and very atmospheric. English is spoken almost everywhere, and we appreciated the fact that Portugal is a better value than other European countries.  Portugal truly has something for everyone! 

In August 2010, I had the pleasure of cruising the Danube River on the new River Beatrice, part of the Uniworld River Cruise Collection. Simply one captivating city or town after another! 

First, we were able to spend three days in Prague prior to our cruise; what a beautiful city! Known as the “City of Spires”, the architecture is stunning! With most river cruises, you can travel in either direction, so we began our cruise in Passau, Germany, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ; hearing a concert in the over 300 year old Cathedral was a highlight! From there, we explored the UNESCO World Heritage town of Salzburg, where we had plenty of time to wander at leisure after our included walking tour.

The next day we toured the 900 year old Benedictine Abbey of Melk, followed by a scenic cruise thru the beautiful Wachau Valley. And, just enough time for a wine tasting at a local vineyard in the quaint village of Dürnstein.  Then, on to imperial Vienna, again with included sightseeing as well as free time. Of course, we had to sample the famous Sacher Torte – delicious! But, the best was yet to come – Budapest – simply one of the loveliest cities in all Europe! We spent an extra day there at the end of our 7-night cruise, but still not enough time to see and do all that we wanted.

I was very fortunate to cruise with AMA Waterways on their famous Christmas Market River cruise from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam. Christmas Markets are held in almost every city and town in Germany and Switzerland (among many others), and are absolutely delightful! Rows of wooden stalls (reminiscent of a manager), elaborately decorated, selling all types of Christmas ornaments, food and drink, etc. Food stands are everywhere,  and definitely worth checking out!  Numerous kinds of pastries and sweets, hot pretzels, nuts, waffles and crepes, and of course lots of Bratwurst.  But the most popular stand at any market is the Glühwein Stand, serving a variety of mulled wines (red or white), or perhaps hot cider and hot chocolate. 

This is a 'must do' for everyone!

I recently cruised with Avalon from Paris to Normandy’s Landing beaches.  This Paris-to-Paris cruise combines time in France’s marvelous capital with discoveries of quaint French towns.  My ship was The Tapestry II, one of Avalon’s new Suite Ships, built in 2015, and it is lovely!  Décor is classic and understated, only 64 cabins, 50 of which are Panorama Suites.  

The itinerary included Vernon, where you can choose between a guided visit to Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny or the magnificent Bizy Castle. Les Andelys with its Château Gaillard, then Caudebec, where you can take an included excursion to the poignant Normandy landing beaches or choose the “Taste of Normandy.”  We visited Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, and in Conflans, you can see either Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. 

Some if the ship highlights include:

• Crepe making and pastry demonstrations by the chef (all delicious!)
• Special Wine Pairing dinner in the Lounge (only 20 people, so recommend signing up as soon as announced, although they offered on 2 or 3 nights)
• Special “Grill” lunch (burgers and brats) on the Sky Deck.  Again, limited seating, so reservations required.
• Excellent service and almost 100% of the staff seemed to truly enjoy their job, whether interacting with guests or each other.
• Guides were exceptional, as I‘ve experienced on other River Cruises as well.  
• Food was good to very good and the variety of options Avalon offered was enough to satisfy even the pickiest eater. 
• Panorama Suites are nice, 200 SF.  Bathrooms are gorgeous.

     I have taken a number of river cruises over the years – Avalon is the best!

BERMUDA – what a beautiful island!  Gorgeous water/beaches, lovely pastel houses with white roofs (to collect rainwater for drinking and household uses, since no fresh water on the island).  Lots of history, quaint towns, and of course they are known for their fabulous shopping!

This was my first trip to Bermuda and my first sailing on Celebrity.  I specifically chose this itinerary since it provided three days in Bermuda, more time than other cruise lines.  The beaches are gorgeous!  And, yes, slightly pink.  Many beaches offer good snorkeling right from the shore (bring your own equipment); otherwise, there are options off-shore for both snorkeling and diving, as well as wreck dives, nighttime journeys, etc.  For non-water based activities, one really nice option is Crystal Caves.  Very impressive, and easy to reach by bus. 
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I sailed on Celebrity’s Summit.  The Summit is one of their smaller ships, 2158 passengers.  It was completely renovated earlier in 2016, and 80%  of the cabins are window or balcony.  Sails April – August out of Cape Liberty, New Jersey.  A wonderful way to experience the beauty of Bermuda!