Mary Yohannan - Life is Better Traveling

This Week in Armchair Explorer: Caribbean cocktails, Mexican art and more

ARMCHAIR EXPLORER: travel inspiration + your imagination

This week’s armchair-ready journeys and travel-inspired stories cover many topics, from tropical drinks you can make at home and Mexico’s exciting art scene to spending three perfect days in the Berkshires.

With any vacation, it’s important to embark on the journey with complete peace of mind. If anything should go wrong during your trip — such as a canceled flight, inclement weather or even a global pandemic — you can rely on us to address all your needs. Rescheduling flights, changing hotel reservations and assisting stranded loved ones in foreign destinations is just the tip of the iceberg.

Enjoy this week’s travel inspiration. And remember — Dream Now, Travel Later!

TROPICAL COCKTAILS TO MAKE AT HOME

Nothing says vacation quite like a colorful, fruit-filled umbrella drink that incorporates the island’s local spirits. While you’re awaiting your tropical getaway, here are a few tasty beverages you can easily prepare at home.

Click here for recipes.

TAKE IN MEXICO'S ART SCENE

From the top-ranked museums of Mexico City to the graffiti art of Puerto Vallarta, here’s what

to look for on your next art-filled voyage south of the border.

Click here to dive in.

A WEEKEND IN THE BERKSHIRES

Historic streets, farm-to-table cuisine and natural beauty can all be found in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. According to travel writer Stephanie Gravalese, here’s how to spend the perfect long weekend there.

Click here for the ideal itinerary.

INSPIRING TRAVEL BOOKS

Looking for something new to pick up at your local independent bookstore or download on your e-reader? Browse our favorite travel-themed titles for a healthy dose of wanderlust.

“The Art of Travel” by Alain de Botton — This philosophical examination of why and how we travel goes around the world and throughout history to describe, in poetic detail, the pleasure of anticipating a journey, the magnetic allure of the exotic and the value of observation.

“Tracks” by Robyn Davidson — A frank and funny account of a courageous young woman’s journey through the Australian desert, where she learns a lot about herself and her companions: a dog and four camels.

“Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure” by Sarah Macdonald — A woman who vowed never to return to India returns to India. The resulting story is one of discovery and adventure in this land of beauty and chaos.

“Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness” by Edward Abbey — A real-life account of a famed writer spending a season working as a ranger at Arches National Park, where he attempts to experience nature in its purest form.

“Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time” by Mark Adams — Laugh-out-loud account of an adventure travel expert (who has never been on an actual adventure) attempting to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu.

RAVE REVIEWS

Real stories on how Life is Better Traveling travel advisors aided their clients during the outbreak and disruption of COVID-19.

“Mary goes above and beyond to help during the process of planning (and cancelling) a vacation. Mary used her knowledge to get us the full refund from the hotel. But we will reschedule with Mary when this is over!”

Garraty Family

New Jersey

Look out for another installment of Armchair Explorer every two weeks! And feel free to contact Life is Better Traveling about any travel questions you have. Until next time …

“The best dreams happen when you’re awake.”

-Cherie Gilderbloom

This Week in Armchair Explorer: Florida beaches, whale watching and more

ARMCHAIR EXPLORER: travel inspiration + your imagination

We’re back again with more ideas from the Armchair Explorer — along with a message of hope — to encourage effortless explorations from the comfort of your armchair.

As the current global situation continues to affect travel plans, it’s a good reminder how a travel advisor is there for you before, during and after your journey. Here we are before your journey, providing information and inspiration, to help you plan the perfect trip. During your travels, we are standing by your side ready to adjust travel plans or get you home in an emergency, just as we did for hundreds of our customers over the past few weeks. After the vacation, we discover what you liked so that our future suggestions are right on target, personalized just for you. Before, during and after — we are here for you, whenever you need us.

Enjoy this week’s slice of travel inspiration . . . and remember to Dream Now, Travel Later!

FIND YOUR IDEAL FLORIDA BEACH

We often daydream of lounging on a beach, the hypnotic surf singing a relaxing lullaby, your hand clutching a cold, colorful drink with a tiny umbrella perched at the rim, seagulls dancing in the wind above you and a smiling sun giving your skin a warm hug.

Florida is the ideal state to put you in this state of mind. Home to 663 miles of beaches in all shapes and sizes, it’s easy to lose yourself on the sandy shores. But with so many options, how do you know which is the right beach for you?

To find the answer, simply visit the Florida Beach Finder. Adjust the sliders on the page to choose from Adventurous or Laid Back, Family Friendly or Romantic, Action-Packed or Secluded, and Manicured or Agent Universe Naturel. The website then shows you the top beaches to fit your exact preferences, making it easy to zero in on your own slice of Florida paradise.

Will it be the glitter and glam of South Beach in Miami, the sparkling sands of Bonita Springs near Fort Myers, or one of the dozens of other beaches on the site? Click here to find out.

Link: https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/florida-beaches/beach-finder

FOUR PREMIER PLACES TO GO WHALE WATCHING

The behemoth surges upwards, higher than its bulk should allow, arcing into the air with its white throat pleats glistening in the sun. As it lands with a roaring splash, a massive, forked tail flips up, hovers momentarily as if waving, and then slides back into the deep waters with a whispered gurgle. Whether your name’s Ishmael or not, watching a whale surface is an unforgettable experience — especially at these four destinations.

Alaska — While more than 20,000 Gray whales will swing by on the way to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi seas of Northern Alaska, Humpbacks are the real draw here. You’ll see quite a show when groups team together and form large circles to trap vast shoals of herring, and then propel themselves upwards with mouths wide open.

Australia — Nearly 60 percent of the world’s whales can be found here, more than 45 species, including Southern Rights, Minke whales, Blues and Orcas. Unlike Alaska, they come down under to breed and raise their young in the shallow, sheltered waters of the Whitsundays and Hervey Bay, where you can spot the grand creatures from viewing platforms placed along the coastal roads.

Dominican Republic — Christopher Columbus noticed whales in the DR’s Samaná Bay and Silver Bank areas back in 1493, and visitors have been returning ever since. In the clear, Caribbean waters, you can watch the gentle giants swimming peacefully among the corals, or, if you’re feeling brave, you can snorkel beside the 40-ton Humpbacks and peer into their dark, dinner-plate-sized eyes.

South Africa — Watching Humpbacks and Southern Rights line up for an endless buffet of krill and sardines on the southern coast is, to some, even more rewarding than seeing African elephants and Cape buffalos on a game drive. You can often spot whales easily at outdoor cafes in the delightful company of a glass of Pinotage from Stellenbosch.

INSPIRING TRAVEL BOOKS

Looking for something new to pick up at your local independent bookstore or download on your e-reader? Browse our favorite travel-themed titles for a healthy dose of wanderlust.

RAVE REVIEWS

Real stories on how Life is Better Traveling travel advisors aided their clients during the outbreak and disruption of COVID-19.

Garraty Family

New Jersey

Look out for another installment of Armchair Explorer every two weeks! And feel free to contact Life is Better Traveling about any travel questions you have. Until next time …

“The best dreams happen when you’re awake.”

-Cherie Gilderbloom

Welcome to Armchair Explorer, your weekly burst of travel inspiration

Mary Yohannan on

ARMCHAIR EXPLORER: travel inspiration + your imagination

A good dream should never be rushed. It takes time to explore the places our dreams take us, time to appreciate the escape and let that joyful serenity sink into our bones.

Due to our current global situation, time is something many of us have more of lately. It’s an unexpected benefit — a balm to help soothe the pain of disruption. Which makes now a great time to sit back, relax and let our minds wander free.

Each Thursday over the next few months, we’ll send you inspiring ideas to fill that extra time and those dreams with travel. We ask that you virtually and mentally explore from the comfort of your armchair, couch or bed, letting your mind wander the earth to sample a world of experiences.

When this crisis ends, and you are ready to turn those travel dreams into reality, you can rely on our agency. We are here for you, whenever you need us.

EYE-OPENING VIRTUAL TOURS

Pop in your Bluetooth earphones and visit breathtaking national parks, ancient and modern wonders, and some of the finest museums in the world. No lines, no bad weather — just you and your bucket list.

U.S. Attractions

Tour the National Parks of the U.S.

The Georgia Aquarium

Wonders of the World

Hike the Great Wall of China

See the Northern Lights from Manitoba

Machu Picchu

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

Museums

The Vatican Museum, Rome

The Guggenheim, New York

Getty Museum, Los Angeles

The Louvre, Paris

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

INSPIRING TRAVEL BOOKS

Looking for something new to pick up at your local independent bookstore or download on your e-reader? Browse our favorite travel-themed titles for a healthy dose of wanderlust.

RAVE REVIEWS

Real stories on how Life is Better Traveling travel advisors aided their clients during the outbreak and disruption of COVID-19.

Garraty Family

New Jersey

Look out for another installment of Armchair Explorer every two weeks! And feel free to contact Life is Better Traveling about any travel questions you have. Until next time …

“The best dreams happen when you’re awake.”

-Cherie Gilderbloom

Why you should visit the Vatican Museum

Mary Yohannan on

The Vatican Museum!

Rome has so many amazing sites to visit but one of the most asked for tours when booking an Italian vacation with Life is Better Traveling is the Vatican Museum. The Vatican museum has an incredible collection showcasing painting, sculpture, frescoes, tapestries and classical antiquities including Roman, Greek and Egyptian. This huge complex consists of multiple galleries and museums. The museums contain roughly 70,000 works, of which 20,000 are on display.

Picture: Pixabay

The popes were among the very first royalty to open their vast art collections to public viewing. Pope Julius II (1443 – 1513) began collecting sculpture during the Renaissance, early 16th century, and, ever since, most popes have taken an active interest in art and in commissioning the best artists of their time. A vast collection of accumulated collections of religious art, papal portraits and, carriages and automobiles.

Two of the most popular exhibits that you will see when walking through the Vatican museum are The Sistine Chapel, with its ceiling decorated by Michelangelo and the Stanze di Raffaello decorated by Raphael. Roughly six millions visitors a year walk through the museum and take in the beauty of what this amazing museum has to offer.

Picture: Pixabay

If you are thinking of taking a European vacation, make sure to include Rome in your itinerary so you can experience the magnificent of this museum. Simply fill out the form below to start planning.

Remember, a Life is Better Traveling Travel Agent is here to help make your next European vacation amazing!

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation. Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs.

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

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Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

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Flying with kids can be stressful!

Mary Yohannan on

Flying with kids can be stressful!

Here are 5 tips on how to keep your sanity when taking kids on a plane trip

Having two little ones myself I find that my anxiety for flying increases a few days before the flight. It is not because I am afraid to fly but how will my kids be on the flight. I always notice the “God, please don’t seat them near me” glances our way when we walk on a plane with two little ones. I even had one older lady tell her husband that she hoped those kids would be good on this flight while we were sitting down behind her. She kept glancing our way with disapproval the whole flight. The best part was after we landed and she was getting up she told us they were perfect on the flight.

Now my husband and I always wait until everyone is off the plane so we don’t have to rush to gather up all our stuff. As people pass us in the aisle they compliment us on how well behaved our children were. We always thank them for the compliment but it makes me feel good that I am doing something right to keep my kids occupied the whole flight. I am going to share with you what we do so you too can have a peaceful and enjoyable flight with your kids or grandkids.

Tip #1: Bring food and drinks! I know that you can’t get more than 3 ounces of fluid through security but between the newsstand and Starbucks you can buy milk, water, or juice. Make sure to bring their favorite container to drink out of so it is like they are drinking the same thing at home. Also, bring their favorite snack. It always seems that as soon as they sit in their seat they are hunger. Having that snack handy keeps from your child having a fit even before the door on the plane is closed.

Tip #2: If your child is still using a binky or pacifiers make sure you bring plenty along. This helps to keep them calm and it will also help with their ears for altitude changes. I find that my children fall asleep with having their binky and the gentle sway of the airplane. This makes me happy because now I have time to relax and take in a movie too.

Tip #3: Bring their favorite toy. The way to keep your child from kicking the seat in front of them is by putting their favorite toy in the pocket in front of them. They will think you are being silly by putting it there but I find that telling my child that her toy needs to be secured in a seat also and the toy seat is this pocket, I don’t get any questions. No kicking and no angry older lady glaring at you during the flight, hopefully.

Tip #4: Bring the electronic tablet for your little ones. Not everyone believes in letting their kids watch TV or movies, but I am not one of those parents. My kids love Disney movies and Nick Jr. educational shows. Sesame Street is another household favorite. Download or buy your kids favorite shows on the tablet that you are going to take. When I say favorite shows or movies, I mean the ones that they watch at home already and ask for by name. It doesn’t work out well if you decide to buy something new thinking they will like it on the plane. Don’t risk it, play it safe with something they already know and keeps them calm. (*NOTE: make sure you download the movie to the tablet so that you aren’t required to use the wi-fi on the plane!)

Tip #5: Bring along your own small pillow and blanket. Please don’t use the pillows and blankets from the plane on your children. They get reused and many people use the pillow to prop their feet up after they have taken off their shoes, YUCK! Having their own blanket that smells like home is relaxing.

Tip #6: This always happens to me, as soon as we sit down my child says she has to go potty! Going potty on a plane by yourself is difficult in such a confined space let alone fitting an adult and a toddler in there. Now we know, go before you get on the plane. Also, change that diaper right before you board also. Yes, people change their baby’s diaper right on the snack tray but luckily my husband and I have it down where we can easily change them on our lap in 10 seconds flat! (BTW…wipe down the snack tray before putting your drink or snack on it!)

I don’t think there are any guarantees that your child won’t have a fit at some point on a flight you take with them but I truly believe that I can do everything in my power to minimize the probability. This has worked very well for us and the proof is from all the compliments that we receive.

Are you ready to take that next family vacation? Simply fill out the quote below and we will be in touch!

Why NOT to arrive on-time for your next cruise…

Mary Yohannan on

Don’t get on your cruise too early you might run into this…

When it comes to traveling we try our best to get to the airport, the port of embarkation, or the car rental place before our scheduled time. Now when it comes to your flights I always suggest you be there on-time. In fact, most airlines require that you must be checked in 90 minutes prior to the flight.

Cruising is a whole other ball game. If you get to the port of embarkation at the time the cruise line suggests (usually 1 pm), you end up getting there when everybody else does. The lines to check-in can become horrendous! This is especially true of those very large ships that can accommodate up to 3,500 passengers. Nobody wants to be in line with 3,500 other people for check-in and then upon embarking waiting in the “let’s start your cruise off with a picture” line.

If you embark early you will be able to beat the some of the crowds. You may still encounter some lines at check-in but these are the early morning travelers who have just flown into town. But don’t go too early because you won’t be allowed onto the ship until after all of the previous passengers have gotten off. So there is no need to be there at the crack of dawn! If you do embark early then you can enjoy the welcome buffet or explore the ship.

Some of these ocean mega-liners seem to take days to explore so you could get a head start on finding all of the amazing features of your ship.

There is one caveat about embarking early, you won’t be able to access your room until a certain time. This is to ensure that the crew has had plenty of time to change out everything from the previous cruise.

The best time to check in is after the cruise line suggested time frame. Now if you decide you are going to embark at the last minute you must be pre-registered with the cruise line. Each cruise line has to submit their passenger lists to the law enforcement authorities prior to departure. If you pre-register on-line they will already have your information. If you haven’t pre-registered on-line then you must check in at the port of embarkation before the cruise line submits the passenger list.

If you miss this time frame you will be unable to board your cruise. The are some perks if you check-in later. You will most likely be able to access your room immediately, still enjoy the welcome buffet, and have only little time in port so you can start winning your millions at the casino as soon as you hit the open water. Well, I am not quite sure if anybody won a million dollars at sea, but whose to say that it couldn’t happen.

Just remember that you don’t want to be too late that you miss your cruise all together, and you don’t want to arrive on-time to stand with the masses at check-in. Try to time it right because if you start off your vacation on the right foot it makes Life Better Traveling.

Call us today to book your next cruise vacation. Did you know that our travel agency is able to get you extra amenities like FREE excursions, food tours, and beverages, and extra onboard credits? You won’t get these if you book through the cruise company or with an online travel agency? Call us today to find out more.

This Ancient Italian City is Worth the Visit

Mary Yohannan on

Pompeii, Italy should be on the list of 100 places to see before you die. If you ever take a Mediterranean cruise this is always one of the optional tours or included as a portion of one of the optional tour. Pompeii is very close to Naples. To get there by bus it usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending if you have any additional stops along the way.

This Roman city was thriving until the volcanic explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD which buried it under volcanic ash for centuries. Pompeii was considered to be a modern city with an amphitheatre, a public gymnasium with a swimming pool, and an aqueduct. The aqueduct would supply water to street fountains, public bath houses, and if you were really rich you would have water in your house. The city streets were also very modern for their time. They had curbs and there were houses or shops on both sides of the streets. To ensure that people would stop at intersections when on horse or horse-drawn carriage they had circular stones at the end of the streets. This was like a modern day stop sign or speed bump.

Now I truly believe that Pompeii was a city that wanted to be alive. Even though it was buried for almost two-thousand years, due to the lack of moisture and oxygen it remained very well-preserved. A large percentage of Pompeii has been excavated but there is still some of the city that wants to be re-discovered. Today there are millions of visitors to this ancient city every year. Now Pompeii is a large city. Some people think that when they take a short day tour to Pompeii that they are seeing the whole site. You really need a whole day to see the entire excavated portion of the city.

I have yet to take a whole day tour. I have always been on a tour where we are there for just a few hours. Regardless of which tour you choose you will still be amazed by the site. Most tours will take you to the outdoor warehouse which houses some artifacts and moldings of those who were frozen in time by the ash.

If you are lucky enough to get to walk through some of the houses you will be able to view the beautiful mosaics. We were told that this was a sign of wealth. So the wealthier you were the more mosaics you would have in your home. These mosaics also told stories so they were unique. All I could think when viewing these mosaics is what the excavation process was like. You really have to be extremely patient and meticulous to ensure that you don’t ruin it. I will say this over and over again in my blogs but when you are standing on a site that is thousands of years old you really appreciate your life and realize how fast it goes by. Pompeii is one of these cities where I realized that Life is Better Traveling.

Mosaic in a Home

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When in Rome…

Mary Yohannan on

If you ever find yourself in Rome, I highly recommend seeing the Roman Forum

One of my favorite tours in Italy was that of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy. It is a sprawling mass of ruins, that once was the center of ancient Rome, with temples, courts, markets, and government buildings in full swing until the 4th century AD. While it may appear that all that remains today are an array of ancient columns and arches, the forum is one of the most important archaeological sites in Italy. Daily excavations occur unearthing new structures and buildings. Many people will skip this part of Rome and head directly to the iconic Colosseum. But I personally, love walking between and around ancient Rome. If you aren’t interested in seeing the forum, you can still get a great view of the Eternal City from the overlooking Palatine and Capitoline hills.

The Basics about the Roman Forum:

Many tours through the forum will last around three to four hours especially if you combine a tour through the forum culminating with a tour of the Colosseum. I personally loved our tour guide, Flavia, and I still use her today for all my clients who go to Rome. She is a wealth of knowledge about the forum and the Colosseum, while enjoying a private tour. She even showed us the expansive ruins at Circus Maximus.

What is the best time to visit and what to know:

Most tour options include hotel pickup and drop-off. If you would opt for a private tour with Flavia, then she would come to your hotel.We would make sure that all your admissions to the various sites are included, so that you can enjoy the skip-the-line entry. On some days this will save you an hour or so in line. I would recommend the Roman Forum to any visitor whether you are in Rome for multiple days or just one day. It is a must see VERY ancient part of Rome.

Picture by: Mary Yohannan

Some “Know Before You Go” from Viator.com:

How To Get to the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is located in the area between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum in the southeastern end of Rome’s historical center. You can get there by metro and bus from most central hotels. The closest metro stop is Colosseo.

When to Get There
As the Roman Forum shares an admission ticket with the Colosseum, it stays consistently busy throughout the day and often has long lines. Choose a walking tour with priority access to jump the queue and maximize your time.

Discovering the Roman Forum Ruins
Inside the archaeological area, stick to the Forum’s main thoroughfare, Via Sacra, to pass by important ruins such as the Julia Curia and the house of the Vestal Virgins. Some of the forum’s most impressive ruins include the white marble arch of Settimio Severo, the first-century Arch of Titus, and the remains of the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. If you can’t get enough of ancient Rome, there’s plenty more history just outside the city with day trips available to Pompeii and the Appian Way.

Call or Email Mary to book your next European Vacation!

Picture by: Mary Yohannan

Beware of booking online…

Mary Yohannan on

Beware of Booking Travel Online. Read the fine print.

I recently had a friend ask me what to do when she needed to change their flight that they booked through one of these large travel booking engines or in the travel business what we call an Online Travel Agency (OTA). The problem was that the airline they were using was now using Expedia or Travelocity exclusively and not offering direct booking on their website. When they needed to change the flight, they had to call the booking engine company directly and not the airline. They had a lot of trouble speaking with a person and once they did they were charged all these extra fees to change the ticket. These fees were almost as much as the cost of the original airline ticket! What could they have done to avoid this happening?

So many people ask me “why should I use you or any other travel agent when I can just book on-line?” They are right, they can just book online. Unfortunately, when you book online if something goes wrong you end up being your own travel advocate and it could end up costing you many hours, energy, and money to get it fixed. My friend not only had to pay the airline fees to change the flight (which can be up to $150 on domestic or $200 on international) but they also had to pay the travel booking engine fee. For example, Travelocity’s fee to reissue an airline ticket is $40 per passenger in addition to the airlines fees of $150 per passenger. A total of almost $200 per person for the change.

Picture by: Pixabay

Many people don’t want to pay a travel agent a service fee, especially upfront. However, when I looked further into these “fees” that were charged by booking online, many people are paying large amounts of service fees.

I found that Travelocity charges a “Processing Service Fee” for all cruise line reservations. There is no set amount so it may vary depending on the price of your cruise. When booking vacation packages they have a “Facilitation Fee” that you pay them for facilitating your travel arrangements. Again, there is no amount so it probably is a percentage of your total amount of the vacation package. All of these fees are incorporated into your final amount.

Other travel booking engines like Expedia have similar fees but you really have to look deep in their website to find them. What ends up happening is that you are paying service fees to the online booking site, and you still have to go through an automated system when you need to make a change. Also, do you know where your money is going? When you book with a travel agency like Life is Better Traveling, service fees go towards supporting a family which goes back into your local community.

Now back to the question I get a lot “why should I use you?” Why not pay a travel agent service fee to have the same person throughout the entire planning process, during the vacation, and even after the vacation? Someone who knows your whole vacation intimately so that when you call them, it is a quick and easy phone call, no automated system or long hold times.

Also, working with a travel agent gives you peace of mind that when something goes wrong you have someone who is in your corner and already knows your information and details. You won’t have to repeat it 10 times like my friend did with the booking engine company!

Picture by: Pixabay

Did you know that travel agents can sometimes get you extra amenities, meals, or other special treatments that you won’t get from booking on-line. Want a free massage, a suite upgrade, a $250 resort credit, or a free tour? Yes, these are all incentives that, if available, a travel agent can provide to you. There are many times that I have been able to get my clients more incentives than that “deal” they thought they were getting if they would have booked online.

When it comes to finding a travel agent find someone out there who has a niche for where you want to travel. Try them out. They may or may not be a good fit for you. When picking a travel agent make sure you do your research. You don’t want somebody who doesn’t know what they are doing or hasn’t been to the places they are selling. I am speaking from experience, having had a great travel agent for our first Mediterranean cruise. She helped us find tours we never would have found on our own. So when you find a travel agent you love, DON’T LOSE THEM!!!!

Good travel agents are like good doctors, they are hard to find but when you find them hold onto them, even if you have to pay a service fee! Besides you will be spending a lot of money on your trip and you want the special touches and reassurance that a travel agent can give you.

Call us today to book your Europe trip. Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs.

Tulips in Amsterdam

Mary Yohannan on

What an amazing site to see, tulips in all colors carefully landscaped to look like it is a river of tulips.

Picture by: Pixabay

Not many people know about the amazing Tulips that bloom every time this year in the Netherlands. If you love flowers, then I highly recommend that you make a trip to see the tulips in around Amsterdam.

If you have ever been to Europe in the Spring time you see many vases filled with tulips. These tulips originate in Holland. The sight of them all over Europe is a sign that summer is on its way. Here are a few ways to visit the famous tulip fields in the Netherlands.

Kuekenhof Gardens

Just outside of Amsterdam in the quaint little town of Lisse, is the famous Keukenhof Gardens. These gardens are one of the most iconic places to see various displays of tulips. They offer viewing of millions of varieties in every imaginable color, and they are immaculately landscaped to make the grounds look they are flowing with tulips. Tours depart Amsterdam regularly, with round-trip transportation allowing travelers to visit Keukenhof with ease.

Picture by: Pixabay

If you are already heading the town of Lisse you may also want to stop and see the 17th-century Keukenhof Castle and grounds. You don’t want to miss the Black Tulip Museum (Museum de Zwarte Tulp) shines a light on the region’s history and the development of tulip varieties. This museum is centrally located so you don’t have to worry about getting there.

I would recommend choosing a tour from Amsterdam that visits Keukenhof and allows you time to explore Lisse. After all, there are also many amazing sites to see in Amsterdam including the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. You can take a leisurely stroll among the beds of vibrant tulips and combine your visit with other Amsterdam highlights such as the bustling Albert Cuyp Market—where shoppers browse for sweet treats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and, of course, colorful tulips.

Remember, a Life is Better Traveling Travel Agent is here to help make your next European vacation amazing! Make sure to contact us for the latest promotions to Europe.