Imagine drifting from one storybook town to the next, wrapped in lights, laughter, and the scent of mulled wine. That’s the magic of a Christmas Market river cruise.
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River cruising feels like time finally agreeing to slow down. There’s no packing and unpacking, no frantic train schedules, no crowds rushing to the next sight. Your floating boutique hotel glides into new towns while you sleep — and you wake up already there. . .
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There’s a moment just before the sun rises in Africa when the world seems to pause.
The air is cool, the sky pale and waiting, and every sound — every whisper of the grass — feels important. You sip coffee from a tin cup, and the quiet isn’t empty; it’s full.
Then, the horizon blinks — gold light spilling over the plains — and life begins to move again. . .
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If you picture an escorted tour as a crowd of people hustled from one bus to the next, you’re not alone — and you’re not entirely wrong. That version used to exist. But modern escorted travel? It’s a whole new art form.
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There are trips you remember — and then there are trips that change the way you see the world. My recent Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro with 3 Nights in Lisbon journey with Avalon Waterways was exactly that kind of experience . . .
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Take a look at this picture. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Isn't it glorious? A veritable wonderland of pastries, cakes, and treats, each one looking more tempting than the last. You've got your delicate tarts, your creamy Ă©clairs, those irresistible-looking cream puffs, decadent multi-layered cakes...
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Are you ready to join JOY and experience the adventure of a lifetime, where breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and rich cultures come together in an unforgettable journey?
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There’s something quietly grand about experiencing the Rockies from a panoramic seat: mountains unfolding like a slow-motion postcard, rivers threading silver through valleys, and the steady, reassuring chug of a train that lets you watch the world instead of rushing through it. . .
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Oahu has a way of surprising even seasoned travelers: it pairs dramatic volcanic ridgelines with powdery white sand, world-class surf with quiet, neighborhood charm, and bustling Honolulu energy with pockets of untouched tropical calm. Call it classic Hawaii, concentrated: the island offers . . .
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There’s a special kind of calm that comes with sailing the South Pacific on a ship built for the region it explores. Paul Gauguin Cruises specializes in French Polynesia — the islands themselves are the star, and the ship is the perfect complement: intimate, Polynesian in spirit, and focused on . . .
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Steam from a morning cappuccino curls into the square, cobbles underfoot, a guide’s easy laugh threads through the air — and in the background, someone has quietly handled the tickets, the transfers, and the tiny logistics that usually eat your vacation time. That’s the neat paradox of escorted travel: within the structure lies the freedom. Globus builds the scaffolding so you can swing from it.
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This is a laugh-out-loud tale about a bobblehead gone wrong and why, when it comes to travel, trusting a seasoned, family-run agency like The Joy of Travel means fewer surprises and more joyful memories.
The laugh that taught us something important:
I recently sent a favorite photo of my friend Pam Hoffee to. . .
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