Posted by David Porter on January 20, 2017 · 8 Comments
Aurora Borealis Highlights – 8 days – Hurtigruten North Cape | Glass Igloo | Snow Hotel | Northern Lights
Carol and I are constantly on the lookout for unusual travel experiences for our clients and readers. Well, I think this qualifies: how about watching the aurora borealis is a glass igloo and then a stay at a beautiful snow hotel. Sound fun?
Visit one of the northernmost inhabited areas in the world and experience a unique Sami culture, amazing scenery and exhilarating winter activities with this short highlights tour. Spend a night in the magical Kirkenes Snow Hotel, Hurtigruten cruise along the famous fjords around the North Cape and try your hand at dog-sledding, arctic king crab fishing and reindeer sledding. If conditions are right —be dazzled by the northern lights, preferably on the night you are sleeping in the glass igloo at Kakslauttanen, Finland.
If you’re a regular reader of our website, then you know that through our Virtuoso connections, we have relationships with on-the-ground travel partners all over the world. In this case, our partners in Norway have put together a very special package that is available from November to April of each year.
Take a peek at this fun and adventurous itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Tromsø, the capital of Arctic
Tromsø is a city packed with culture, polar history and fresh locally sourced food in its numerous restaurants. Tromsø is often called “Paris of the North” and “City of Lights”, and it is rare to have such a lively town located so far past the Arctic Circle. Mountains, fjords and islands surround it, making it a great base for exploring the winter landscape.
Day 2: Day in Tromsø to explore the town and its surroundings
This morning, enjoy a guided city walk of Tromsø and then you are free to either try many of the winter activities available in its vicinity or head to the lovely cafes & pubs by the water. Ask us for information about additional dog sledding through the beautiful winter landscape, guided northern light tours and other possible activities.
Or if it is a clear day, experience Tromsø’s best view! On the outskirts of Tromsø (it is a very small town) a cable car runs from Solliveien in Tromsdalen up to the mountain ledge Storsteinen (421 m above sea level) in just four minutes. From the viewing platform at the upper station, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding islands, mountains and fjords. At the fully licensed Fjellstua restaurant, you can enjoy a delicious dinner based on local produce or select light meals from the café menu, while you take pleasure in the view. In winter, it’s an ideal place for hunting the magical Northern Lights.
Day 3: Hurtigruten Voyage to Kirkenes
At 16.30, embark your coastal ferry for a short northbound Hurtigruten journey. In winter the Captain invites guests to taste stockfish on deck. The ship now sails into the area along the coast where you have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights between September and March, and we gather on deck to search for this breathtaking phenomenon.
Day 4: Honningsvåg and the North Cape
Ports visited today: Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg.
Following the scenic sailing through Magerøysund and after an early stop in Hammerfest, you arrive in Honningsvåg. This small port is the gateway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape which rises 300m from the ocean, and at 71° 10’ 21” north it puts you a mere 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole.
Standing atop the North Cape Plateau you’ll get the eerie feeling of being at the end of the world. The area is also known for its birdlife, and Gjesværstappan, a bird sanctuary with up to 250,000 seabirds is home to some High Arctic species that can only be observed here on the Norwegian mainland, including the ever cute puffins. In summer, you might see herds of reindeer and campsites belonging to the indigenous Sami people. In winter, experience the snow-clad valleys, the fresh winter air and your best chances to see the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
During winter and spring, if you are lucky, local fishermen from the village of Kjøllefjord visit us to share their catch of the day (King Crab & cod).
This evening, as you approach Kjøllefjord, you pass a rock formation that is sacred to the indigenous Sámi people, Finnkjerka.
Optional Excursions depending on the season: The North Cape, Birdwatching Safari, A Taste of Lapland, Sami Autumn and Snowmobile trip in Lapland.
Day 5: Arrive into Kirkenes port, transfer to the Snowhotel with a Arctic King Crab Safari
Disembark in Kirkenes and transfer to the snow hotel. Today you will join an Arctic King Crab Safari – a very popular highlight for our travellers north.
The Arctic King Crab is a sought after delicacy and you will learn how to catch, prepare and eat them. Your guide takes you out and you can lend a hand in sawing through the ice before your guide attempts to land you a few of these massive crustaceans. Enjoy the day’s catch for lunch seated by a cosy fire in a small local farmhouse by the lake. You will travel to the lake by snowmobile sleigh.
This evening, you can either stay in one of the warm Gamme cabins or sleep in one of the cold snow rooms at the Snowhotel.
Every room in Kirkenes Snowhotel is like a small treasure. The rooms are equipped with everything needed for a comfortable night in the somewhat extreme conditions. The pictures looks like you are sleeping on ice, but that would be to cold and to hard for your back. The beds are framed with ice blocks and the beds have comfortable mattresses with thermal insulation on top. You sleep inside a sleeping bag graded for -35 degrees celcius. However, snow is a very good insulator, so even when it’s -35 degrees outside, the Snowhotel remains a stable -4 degrees.
Upon entering the gates of the Snowhotel, you will receive a welcome drink at the snowbar, made from berries collected from surrounding hills. It will then be time to make the ‘coolest’ hotel check-in around!
Day 6: Transfer to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort and settle into your Glass Igloo
Private transfer from Kirkenes to Kakslauttanen (3.4 – 4 hrs). Check in to your Glass Igloo where you will be spending the first night of the tour.
Dinner at hotel then get ready for your night in under the stars – and hopefully the Northern Lights.
Finnish Glass Igloos provides ‘one of a kind’ opportunities to admire the Northern Lights and millions of stars of the crystal clear sky in a comfortable room temperature. Built from a special thermal glass the temperature inside the Igloo always stays at a normal level. It also prevents the glass from not getting white frosted, hence keeping the view clear even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C. Standard igloos are equipped with a toilet, but no shower. There is an upgrade option to a large igloo (KELO).
Day 7: Husky Safari and then Aurora Hunting by reindeer in the evening
After breakfast, move to your log cabin and then get ready for today’s husky safari – an unforgettable journey through breathtaking winter scenery.
On arrival to the husky farm we will provide you with a warm outer thermal suit, gloves and hat and then we will present your very own husky team. You will be given a lesson on how to drive the sledge and how to observe important hand signals given by your leader.
Each team consists of about six dogs, you, the driver, and your passenger, who is comfortably seated in the wooden sledge. The driver and the passenger can change places during the safari.
This afternoon is free to relax before your evening aurora hunting by reindeer.
Day 8: Depart to Ivalo airport for your flight onwards
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Ivalo airport.
Trip Details
Transportation
Hurtigruten coastal port-to-port voyage and private transfers
Included in price
All hotel accommodation in shared double/twin room with private facilities, single supplement available
Norwegian Coastal Voyage: 2 nights twin outside cabin with private facilities aboard Hurtigruten ship port to port Tromsø to Kirkenes, breakfast and dinner included
Kakslauttanen: 1 night in a traditional log cabin with its own fireplace and sauna + 1 night in a Glass Igloo, breakfast and dinner included
Kirkenes Stay: Gamme cabins or a snow room option available 20DEC to 20APR, dinner included
Daily breakfast
Private transfers between Kirkenes and Kakslauttanen
Included Activities: Arctic city walk Tromsø, Arctic King Crab Safari, Husky safari (2 hrs) and Aurora Hunting by Reindeer sled
24-hour emergency service
Taxes and service fees
Meals included
This tour includes 13 meals; 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners.
Not included in price
Flights, meals other than specified, winter clothing (thermal overall & boots) for the entire stay, items of personal nature, beverages, additional activities such as icefishing, horse riding, overnight safaris and Santa’s Resort Visit.
On the day of this writing, prices for this fun journey start at USD $3,118/person.
To learn more, or to book this trip of a lifetime, call our travel agency office at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
Note: photographs courtesy of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Hurtigruten, and Snow Hotel Kirkenes
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Posted by David Porter on January 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
For a very limited time (only through us!), enjoy exclusive savings and perks on new bookings of exciting itineraries around the world from our preferred cruise brands. Wondering if now is the time to book? Oh yes, it certainly is. We’re ready when you are, and make sure to ask us about the exclusive added value of Virtuoso Voyages and Virtuoso Amenities!
PLUS, you should know that these special offers are available on top of the cruise line’s current special wave season offers available in the marketplace. So, you get a great offer from the cruise line, and the following special offers and perks from us on top. Further still, many of these sailings will enjoy complimentary Virtuoso Voyages VIP perks on top of our exclusive sale offers and cruise line offers! How sweet is that?
AmaWaterways
$50 shipboard credit per person on all 2017 Paris,
Normandy and Mekong cruises. Combinable with all
current offers and Virtuoso Amenities. Book by 01.31.2017
Azamara Club Cruises
Up to $500 shipboard credit per stateroom on all
sailings. Combinable with all current offers and
Virtuoso Voyages. Book by 01.21.2017.
Celebrity Cruises
Specialty dining for two in Oceanview categories and
above on any 7+ night 2017 sailing departing after
February 15th. Plus, up to $200 shipboard credit on
Europe 2017 sailings. Combinable with Virtuoso Amenities.
Book by 01.31.2017.
Crystal Cruises
Up to $1000 off 2017-2018 ocean cruises, up to
$1000 off 2017 yacht cruises, and up to $400 off 2017
river cruises. Select sailings only! Combinable with
Crystal Clear Choices promotion and Virtuoso
Voyages. Book by 01.31.2017.
Cunard Line
Reduced deposit and up to $300 shipboard credit per
stateroom on all sailings. Combinable with current
Wave offer and Virtuoso Voyages. Book by 01.31.2017.
Oceania Cruises
$200 shipboard credit per stateroom on all sailings.
Combinable with all current Wave offer and Virtuoso
Voyages. Book by 02.28.17.
Paul Gauguin
$200 shipboard credit per person on all 2017-2018
sailings, combinable with Virtuoso Amenities and
Virtuoso Voyages. Book by 01.31.17.
PONANT
$400 shipboard credit per stateroom on all sailings,
combinable with current offers. Combinable with all
current offers and Virtuoso Amenities. Book by 02.10.17.
Princess Cruises
Reduced deposit and new shipboard coupon booklet.
Combinable with Princess Wave offer and Virtuoso
Amenities. Book by 01.31.17.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Complimentary bottle of red or white wine and
Passport to Savings Booklet (per stateroom).
Combinable with Wave offer and exclusive Virtuoso
Offer. Book by 01.31.17.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
$300 shipboard credit per stateroom on 2017 sailings
and $200 shipboard credit per stateroom on 2018
sailings. Combinable with current offers. Book by 02.11.17.
SCENIC Luxury Cruises + Tours
$125 off per person on all sailings. Combinable with
all current offers. Book by 02.10.17.
Silversea Cruises
$250 off per stateroom (suite) on 2017 classic
voyages and $500 off per stateroom (suite) on 2017
expedition voyages. Combinable with all current offers
and Virtuoso Amenities. Book by 02.10.17.
Tauck
Complimentary pre or post hotel night on all sailings
(Christmas markets excluded). Book by 02.28.17.
Uniworld River Cruises
Up to $100 off per person on 2017 sailings.
Combinable with Virtuoso Amenities and past guest
discount. Book by 01.31.17.
Viking River Cruises
$200 shipboard credit per stateroom on 14+ day
sailings ($100 shipboard credit per stateroom on 8-13
day sailings) of select river cruises. Book by 01.31.17.
Windstar Cruises
Up to $100 shipboard credit per stateroom on all
sailings. Book by 02.11.17.
Zegrahm Expeditions
$1000 per person air credit and an exclusive
expedition gear credit of $280 per person on the
Caledonia Sky “Faces of Polynesia” sailing on
October 22, 2017. Combinable with Virtuoso
Amenities and past guest discount. Book by 03.15.17.
Terms and conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only.
For more information, or to book one of these exciting offers, call our travel agency office at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you. Don’t delay, many of these offers expire soon!
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Posted by David Porter on January 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Informative Azamara Club Cruises® Presentation in Scottsdale, AZ
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 6:00 PM
One of the hallmarks of our website and travel agency is to find and expose our readers and clients to niche travel brands that are perhaps hidden from view in the melee of travel brands seeking to get your attention.
As we are luxury boomer travelers, as are most of our readers and clients, we tend to shy away from the floating cities of 5,000+ people unless folks are looking for a multi-generational travel experience.
Look Below. Details for the Azamara Club Cruises Informational Evening. Plus, Attendees Will Receive up to a $500 Shipboard Credit for a Future Booking!
We, along with our clients and readers, tend to desire smaller ships. We don’t want to be crowded aboard ship, we want excellent cuisine, friendly staff, and we prefer ocean cruise experiences that are more focused on the destination over some monstrous new water slide.
It is for these various reasons that Carol and I would like to introduce you to Azamara Club Cruises®.
Azamara Club Cruises is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises, so they have the financial backing of one of the cruise industry’s largest players. However, this niche luxury boutique cruise line caters primarily to the luxury boomer crowd that I mentioned above. And while there are a host of 5-star players in this space, Azamara Club Cruises might best be described as perhaps a 4+star player in this space. Therefore, fares aboard Azamara Club Cruises will be rather significantly below, say, a Seabourn cruise, for example.
Spa Suite Bathroom. Click for larger view.
Here’s a few things we like about Azamara Club Cruises:
- Two mid-sized ships with a capacity of 690 guests. Because of the ship’s smaller size, they can sail right up the river into Bordeaux, France where larger ships will be forced to dock many miles away.
- Destination Immersion – Azamara Club Cruises claims to spend more time in port that any other cruise line. This allows you more time to fully experience the culture, cuisine, scenery, and people of your destination. We like that!
- Inclusive Fares – one of the complaints folks have with the large cruise lines is that you’re nickel and dimed from the moment you get aboard. With Azamara, they feature an AzAmazing Evening event on shore on most voyages of 7-nights or more; select spirits, wines and beers are included, along with gratuities, bottled water, soft drinks, and specialty coffees and teas. And, should you decide to book a suite, you’ll even get your own English Butler.
- Awards – 2016 Cruise Critic Editor’s Pick Award for “Best Shore Excursions” and “Best Refurbishment”. Both ships were refurbished in 2016. Further, they’ve won “Best Cruise Line Dining” from the folks at Global Traveller Magazine. And, Azamara Club Cruises just won “Best Boutique Cruise Line” from USA Today.
Best Boutique Cruise Line 2017 – USA Today
Carol and I are sailing with Azamara Club Cruises this summer from Athens to Venice for 9-nights. Besides the things I’ve listed above, one of the attractions is that there is only one day at sea on our cruise as we day-sail from Greece to Croatia. The rest of the time we’re in port, and in 5 of the ports we don’t leave until after 10:00 PM. This will give us lots of time to experience the cities at night and perhaps try out a famous restaurant or two.
Have I peeked your interest yet? If so, then we invite you to a fun, informational evening presented by the folks at Azamara Club Cruises.
Azamara Club Cruises® and Roaming Boomers Travel Invites you to a fun and Informational Evening in Scottsdale, AZ
When: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Where: Grayhawk Golf Club, 8620 East Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ
What: Complimentary Azamara Club Cruises® presentation with light appetizers, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
Why: Because you desire to learn about extraordinary niche travel experiences. Plus, it will be lots of fun!
Space is limited, so RSVP by calling our office at (480) 550-1235, or simply complete the secure form below. Please RSVP by January 26, 2017.
Note: these events tend to quickly sell out, so don’t delay!
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Posted by David Porter on January 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
2017 Zika Virus Update for Travelers
Travelers of child-bearing age who might be planning a trip to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, or South America, it is important that you consider the CDC’s latest and most up-to-date warnings regarding the Zika Virus.
I just noticed that the CDC has made a nice update to their website concerning the Zika Virus and I thought I’d pass it along.
To learn about the CDC’s latest updates about Zika, CLICK HERE.
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Posted by David Porter on January 5, 2017 · 1 Comment
World’s Greatest Spa Retreats for Boomer Travelers
Well, fellow boomer travelers, it’s a new year.
I don’t know about you, but when I gander a peek down to my waistline from my desk, I can see that I definitely need some healthy encouragement. And, as we’re beginning the third year of our new travel agency, a little prolonged relaxation sounds really nice too!
While we love to see new places, sometimes travel can be a healthy getaway. I remember fondly our journey to Canyon Ranch Tuscon a few years ago. You can read about it here.
So, how ’bout you? Ready for a spa retreat to reboot your bod? Need a little help learning how to implement a healthy lifestyle? Or, perhaps you just need a world-famous spa to get away and unplug?
To learn more about some of the world’s greatest spa retreat getaways, and to see our collection of complimentary VIP perks, CLICK HERE.
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The Roaming Boomers
Day 3: Hurtigruten Voyage to Kirkenes
Day 5: Arrive into Kirkenes port, transfer to the Snowhotel with a Arctic King Crab Safari
Day 6: Transfer to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort and settle into your Glass Igloo
