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Experiencing Culture Through Food, History and Art

July 24, 2020

Experiencing Culture Through Food, History and Art


I am compelled to explore the world because I love connecting with other cultures through food, history and art. This is especially true when visiting Europe. These unique European experiences will have you wanting to hop across the Pond again and again.

FOR THE FOOD

Food is one of the most interactive and sensory ways to experience a destination’s culture. It’s also one of the most often talked about parts of our vacations. In Europe, we often aspire to eat Neopolitan pizza in Italy, croissants in France and fish and chips in England. Even if you don’t call yourself a “foodie” you’ll most likely want to try some local specialties.


HISTORY INSPIRES

As we visit Europe, we marvel at the age of their buildings and cities. The idea that we may stay in a hotel built in the 1700s or stroll along cobblestones laid down by the Roman Empire is novel for us. The rich history of Europe is one of the reasons we are inspired to visit, and why we often make visiting historic landmarks and museums a priority when traveling.


Adding guided day tours or walking tours are always a hit to a Europe vacation. As you plan your Europe vacation, you may already have ideas for sightseeing in mind, but I can help narrow down a long list or expand on a short one.


If you are planning to do an escorted tour for your European trip, narrow down the places that you would most like to visit. This can help you match the right tour for the experiences you want and decide if you will need to add a couple of days for sightseeing at your own leisure.



APPRECIATING THE ARTS

Much like history, experiencing the arts is an important part of understanding a destination’s culture. While Europe is filled with incredible works, like the Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s David,museums are only the tip of the iceberg. They will peak your interest and immerse you into the rich culture of your destination. Architecture, music, and theater performances are among the many forms of art. From the renown musicals in London’s West End to the iconic architecture of the Parthenon in Athens, there is so much to explore. 



While everyone’s experiences are different, we all find ways to connect with destinations and cultures through meaningful moments. For some, that’s sipping a coffee and/or trying a new dish. Many find joy in connecting with the past through history, while others strive to sink into the moment through performances and art. It just all depends on your personal desires and what experience you’re looking to get out of your vacation.

Travel Insurance

By Angela Lindsey • February 20, 2022
Should I or should I not purchase travel insurance? That is the popular question these days. Whenever you purchase plane tickets, cruise tickets, or book a hotel, you are usually asked if you want to purchase travel insurance. Due to the purchase of travel insurance being an additional cost, many travelers usually opt out of it. It is often thought of as an unnecessary add-on like extended warranties and generally considered not worth it.

Let Me Upgrade You

By Angela Lindsey • January 14, 2022
When planning a client's trip, we always consider all the information given to us for a full personalized experience. This includes a client's budget. Every attempt is made to operate within the limits of the budget and still provide an amazing and unforgettable experience. But, it's a proven fact that a super tight budget forces you to miss some great vacation experiences. The next time you are creating your vacation budget, consider some of these small and affordable upgrades that are sure to improve your all-around vacation experience.

Preparing For The Unexpected

By Angela Lindsey • December 2, 2021
Preparing for the unexpected is an important part of taking trips, and as a Travel Advisor, working hard to stay on top of situations that might affect your health and safety is an essential aspect of my job. Here are 3 travel preparation recommendations.

Waiting On Your Passport?

By Angela Lindsey • August 13, 2021
According to the State Department, the passport application process is taking more than four months (18 weeks), and “expedited” service may only shorten the wait to three months. This means that passport processing times are three times as long as the average wait time prior to the pandemic. The State Department website indicates the dramatic delays are the result of COVID-related issues…not to mention the drastic uptick in travel which is causing a high demand for passports. If you need to renew your passports immediately, unfortunately you are no longer able to book last-minute appointments online. The State Department announced this change on July 22nd, 2021. For emergency appointments, you can refer to the table on the “ Get It Fast ” passport section of the State Department’s website.

Get Ready For Travel

By Angela Lindsey • April 19, 2021
Demand for future travel is increasing and will likely outpace supply, even as more options reopen. One of the most important preparations for future travel is ensuring you have the appropriate travel ID. You don’t want to arrive at the airport for your long-awaited vacation, only to be denied boarding because of an identification issue! Now is the time to make sure your identification documents are ready. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing delays in passport processing. Standard processing for new and renewal applications is currently 10-12 weeks, or 4-6 weeks if paying an additional $60 expedite fee.* Even flying to U.S. destinations, you need to be ready for the new REAL ID requirements going into effect on October 1, 2021. What should you know about getting your IDs ready to travel? I’ve highlighted a few key points.

Planning Romantic Road Trips

By Angela Lindsey • March 5, 2021
Road trips are back at the top of travel lists, as more people opt to explore the United States. For couples, taking a road trip together offers a chance to reconnect and make new memories together. If you’re a honeymooner, celebrating your anniversary, or first-time travel partners who are considering a road trip, here are some ideas to help you find romance on the road. As a romance specialist and one who loves and values romance in my personal life, I have tested all of these. Navigating Together On a road trip, navigating is part of the fun. Tracing the route, taking an impromptu detour to see a roadside attraction, and refueling at a locally-owned diner, are reminders that the journey is as important as the destination. My husband and I took a road trip to visit family and on the return trip, we mapped out a route to make a stop in Mississippi to celebrate our anniversary. We ate at local restaurants and checked out a few attractions. Oh, you didn’t think I was going to skip out on the beach did you? Yes, we spent a little time on the beach, enjoying the amazing views and sunsets.

Top Travel Trends For 2021

December 23, 2020
It’s no secret that we are dreaming about our next vacation. For many of us, 2020 meant delays and/or cancellations of our long-awaited vacations. After the stressful and challenging year, we’ve all been through…we need a change of scenery. With a percentage of next year’s vacations already in the books, the year’s travel trends and must-visit destinations are starting to emerge. Whether they are barbecue enthusiasts or book lovers, the below lists of locations, near and far from home, are a perfect starting place for 2021 vacation inspiration!

Wellness Travel

By Angela Lindsey • November 17, 2020
Turmoil, challenges and stress…nothing could more accurately sum up 2020 than this. Canceled events, working from home while homeschooling, higher health risks for going out in public, job loss, etc. are all reasons why 2020 has been extremely stressful. All the stress has taken a toll on our mental health. With all the turbulence this year has brought, travelers are focusing on ways to enhance their wellbeing. This includes physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

Romance on a River Cruise

By Angela Lindsey • July 30, 2020
Though travel to Europe is on hold for the moment, we know that many travelers are eager to visit its cities again. Thinking about the experiences of European travel will help you look ahead and inspire your future vacation. Those of us with a passion for travel often daydream about the cities and places we want to visit someday. And in these daydreams, we think about the person we love most and traveling the world with them. For couples who dream of checking off destinations around the world together, there’s a way to see and do more with your vacation time: take a river cruise! River cruising is one of the best ways to visit multiple cities without the stress of travel days, unpacking and repacking, or getting lost trying to find your hotel. From panoramic suites, themed excursions, and incredible itineraries, river cruising is the ideal vacation for couples looking for a romantic trip through Europe and beyond.

Helpful Travel Apps

By Angela Lindsey • July 30, 2020
 Travel is one of the fastest growing industries. Stay organized and prepared with the following travel apps. Mobile Passport - Allows you to upload your passport and fill out customs forms on your phone to speed you through U.S. Customs and Border Protection at 30+ airports and cruise ports. PackPoint – alleviates the stress associated with packing. Advises you of what to wear based on where you’re going, length of your stay, projected weather and activities you’re planning. Waze - Live maps include voice-guided navigation to easily guide you. You get community-based data on traffic jams and other information so that you can find points of interest like the cheapest gas stations and the fastest routes to your destination. Trail Wallet – A tool that allows you to organize and track your travel expenses.
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