Avalon Waterways, one of my favorite river cruise lines is raising the bar (in this case baton) with a series of unique experiences. They were the first to try conducting an orchestra in Vienna.

How You Ask
Vienna echoes to the strains of Schubert, members of the Strauss dynasty and Mozart; who were born or lived in the city at various times. Classical concerts are one of the city's most popular attractions, with performances almost every night of the week. While river cruise lines have sometimes brought passengers to concerts, Avalon Waterways' passengers can go a step further and conduct an orchestra. The line introduced the optional activity as part of its Active Discovery program which launched on Danube sailings in 2017. Active Discovery itineraries were extended to the Rhine in 2018 and, new for 2019, will also feature the Rhone. 

During the excursion, budding Leonard Bernsteins are taken to one of the city's famous concert halls and introduced to the art of conducting before taking to the stage and leading an orchestra through a series of waltzes and polkas. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience whether you're very musically minded, or simply curious to find out what it's like to stand in front of an orchestra rather than sit in the audience.  Return home with a baton as a souvenir and each time you hear a waltz or polka on the radio, you will be tempted to do a bit of "air conducting"!

Don't worry if you're not a musical maestro, as the experience is all about learning in a fun (albeit impressive) environment. If you want to steal the spotlight and share of the limelight, don't forget to bring along a camera to capture photos and videos of your performance. Encore!

​Contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com to help you plan your river cruise! Avalon's Active Discovery program is among her favorites.  But, as a certified river cruise specialist, she is equipped to help you choose among the different cruise lines and itineraries in your best interest!

IN THE FAR EAST, you can explore undiscovered corners from primeval forests and volcanic landscapes in Japan to fascinating wildlife encounters and island expeditions in Russia.  Along the coast of Japan you will find a timeless empire steeped in tradition, lore, and natural beauty.   The islands give you a true feel for the past, present, and future in this land of the rising sun.There is a profound serenity in the mountain ranges of Kanazawa, ancient Samurai houses in Hagi, and mystical collection of gardens and temples in Kyoto. There here are also a myriad of escapades beckoning you in the Philippines, Borneo and Indonesia.  From jungle treks in Malaysia and the misty valley views of Indonesia to unexplored beaches in the Philippines, each destination is a chance to encounter mesmerizing island beauty.  You can marvel in a mosaic of colors and cultures while discovering ancient Komodo dragons and/or standing on the edge of an active volcano!

IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND, you will discover a vast paradise of islands teeming with untouched wilderness and secret underwater worlds of colorful marine life and dancing corals.  Visit jade-colored islands and revel in the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Experience Outback adventures along the rugged coastline of Australia’s and New Zealand’s most breathtaking islands. Get a glimpse into the world of fairy penguins.  Feast your eyes on pink granite mountains, and uncover rushing rivers and golden beaches beyond the Tasman Sea.  Perhaps, explore beyond the ethereal beauty with a visit to New Zealand’s wine region, nestled amid charming fishing villages.  Either way, you will find an escape to this untouched corner of the world, where rugged peaks, thermal valleys, hidden inlets, and rainbow-colored lakes all add to the magical landscape!

IN ANTARCTICA & THE ROSS SEA, you will find a world of immense scale and visual splendor in the vast white wilderness of Antarctica. Iceberg prisms and glittering glaciers, historic explorers’ huts, bellowing elephant seals and the world’s largest penguin colony are just a few of the sights you can expect to see on this trip of a lifetime. Wake each day as if in a snow globe!

ADVENTURE CALLS on a luxury expedition cruise.  Itineraries balance days at sea with scheduled ports of call, and is intentionally designed to be flexible, allowing the Captain and his team of experts to incorporate unplanned “expedition days” when favorable weather conditions invite the opportunity for uncommon discovery.  The Expedition Team will maintain a keen eye so that if an opportunity arises and conditions allow, the Captain will attempt to position the vessel accordingly. 

The Luxe Report, uncovered five trends – all with an overarching movement toward personalization – shaping how upscale travelers will roam the world in 2019.

1. Motivation: Social media's influence is unmistakable, as it drives travelers' desire to find the most captivating backdrops and the best time of day for snapping images. Clients are requesting on-site photography sessions to create Instagram-worthy content, including replicating shots they admired online. Travel advisors are arranging themed photoshoots characteristic of destinations, such as wearing traditional geisha attire in Kyoto or ball gowns in Venice.
2. Transportation: When flying commercial, airlines with state-of-the-art business and first-class cabins are a favorite. Upon landing, VIP airport arrival services that whisk travelers through customs and ease tight connections are growing in demand. Requests are on the rise for private helicopter transfers to and from airports as well as from one city or resort island to another.
3. Accommodation: Experiential travelers who have seen it all are craving stays in unconventional accommodations. Those range from a treehouse to a monastery to an igloo in Norway, a tent in the Moroccan desert, the shores of the Red Sea, and even a bubble nestled in nature so they can gaze at stars before drifting off to sleep.
4. Recreation: People want to explore their passions through bucket-list experiences. Sports fans are asking for tickets to major events such as the Olympics, Super Bowl and Wimbledon. Art aficionados are inquiring about private tours of locales like the Vatican after hours. Shoppers want appointments at high-end stores such as Hermès to purchase signature items like a Birkin bag. Music lovers are booking trips to summer festivals and concerts. Advisors are also arranging private dinners with influential local figures.
5. Conservation: Travelers are expressing heightened interest in animal-related experiences. Some request visits to animal protection facilities or to observe animals in the wild, such as whale watching and viewing rhinos at close range. Some want to interact more directly with animals, such as at the Giraffe House in Nairobi or dog sledding to the North Pole. They also exhibit concern for animal welfare and want to ensure that interactions are sustainable.  

Exploring new destinations is the prevailing travel motivator for 2019, and Japan tops the list of emerging destinations for the first time, having previously finished third and fifth in 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Multigenerational travel maintains its stronghold as the hottest trend for 2019, a position it has held every year but one since 2011. Italy continues its reign as the top global destination as well as the leader for family travel, honeymoons and Millennial travel.

Contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com to learn more and start planning your customized trip today! 919.589.2437 / 434.333.0837

Mexico continues to rise the ranks among the world's most-visited destinations, ranking sixth globally after hosting more than 39 million international tourists in 2017.
Nonetheless, the Mexico Tourism Board is out to set the record straight regarding recent reports linked to the U.S. State Department's updated travel advisory system, which ranked Mexico as a "level 2" country where travelers should "exercise increased caution" when it debuted earlier this year.
However, level 2 was also assigned to destinations like Germany, France and the U.K. and the board points out that the advisory exempts major international tourist destinations across the country, including those in states with higher levels in the advisory.
"While Mexico faces challenges with crime and violence like many countries around the world today, the overwhelming majority of those incidents are related to Mexican individuals," the Mexico Tourism Board said in a statement. "In the very rare recent cases where foreigners have been impacted, the majority of the cases found that those individuals were involved in suspicious or criminal activity not associated with tourism."
So far in 2018, the U.S. State Department hasn't issued a single alert recommending against travel to Mexico. "Our main concern comes from the fact that the crime, violence and other statistics used are those for a country overall, not related to the number of incidents that impact foreign visitors," the board stated in January.
In its ongoing effort to eliminate any remaining doubt about visitor safety, Mexican officials are taking a proactive approach to reducing risks and ensuring travelers return home satisfied.
Enhanced security measures already taken in Quintana Roo include 24-hour surveillance at the maritime terminals of Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, additional metal detectors and an added police presence with specially-trained canine units.
Other upgrades include investments in technology to assist in the communication of security personnel with hotels and tour operators and close coordination between the entire tourism industry with the municipal police and other authorities in order to report any suspicious activity and take appropriate actions.
"Mexico is a safe, friendly and welcoming destination and one that is growing faster than the global industry average for more than five years in a row," the board states.
As Mexico continues to draw and win over more and more visitors, safety and security will remain a top priority. The destination is also working to boost travel infrastructure through new hotel and resort openings as well as added airline routes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MEXICO AND THE BEST PLACES TO STAY, CONTACT CHRISRAKES@TOTALEXPERIENCETRAVEL.COM

Like many other destinations in the Caribbean, the Turks and Caicos suffered its share of bumps and bruises as a result of last year’s hurricanes.  An archipelago of 40 low-lying coral islands southeast of the Bahamas, the British Overseas Territory sustained the most damage from Hurricane Irma, though it was also impacted by Hurricane Maria. Many Turks and Caicos hotels, as well as the airport, experienced water damage and the port of Turks and Caicos witnessed even heavier destruction. However, before year’s end in 2017, most of the island’s restaurants, bars, hotels and tourist attractions had reopened.

Longtime Turks and Caicos Developer Mark Durliat, owner of Grace Bay Resorts, recently spoke with us about the destination, where it’s been and where it’s headed. Over the past two decades of working in the Turks and Caicos, Durliat has led the creation of 10 new resorts, condominiums and single-family residential projects. He has spearheaded more than 300,0000 square feet of new construction and directly sold $145 million of real estate.  His initial project, Grace Bay Club, was the first luxury, all-oceanfront-suite resort in the country. More recently, Durliat’s energies have been focused on his new Rock House Resort, a 14-acre residential enclave that has a target sell out of $55 million. It will offer 41 cottages and four hillside homes.

I went down to Turks & Caicos this past Spring to check out the recovery and see what's new. 

Not only did Turks and Caicos recover remarkably quickly from the 2017 hurricane season that devastated much of the Caribbean, it is experiencing a variety of important developments and is thriving as a destination on many levels.  The transition has been helped along in large part by more direct flights to the Turks and Caicos in recent years.   A list of cities that now offer direct flights to the Turks and Caicos at dizzying speed – New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago and more.  

There are a variety of new luxe properties that have opened in recent years or that are slated to open in the near future. The Ritz-Carlton, a legend in luxury has announced plans for Turks and Caicos. The project will be located in the Grace Bay.  My favorite spot!  In addition, Durliat’s own company, Grace Bay Resorts, recently acquired a new property, Point Grace. The luxury boutique resort, which came under Grace Bay Resorts ownership in April, offers a world-class location on Grace Bay Beach and 35 luxe suites.  And, last December 2016 the much buzzed about Shore Club opened. It's a $100 million property located on a three-mile stretch of beach featuring opulent villas and lavish suites. There are three pools, poolside cabanas, a yoga pavilion and a 12,000-square-foot spa, as well as three dining venues too.

Sun, sand, sea, good food and relaxation - not hustle and bustle - is what you will find in Turks & Caicos!

To start planning your trip and get help picking the perfect spot contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com. She is an experienced expert who will make it easy for you to research, customize and go!

Whether you want to walk in the footsteps of legends, walk down the street like a local, or accelerate a walk into a jog, Avalon Waterways (one of my personal favorites) provides a variety of excursions and onboard activities each day - all engaging in their own way.  You select the tours, activities and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise, your way!

Go CLASSIC and a local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations and the "must see" sights.  You will marvel at the legends, lore and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites!

Go DISCOVERY for inspiring and interactive activities designed to speak to your interests.  From cooking classes to painting workshops, immerse yourself in cultures you explore.

Go ACTIVE to embark on energetic excursions that will keep you on the go.  Guided jogging tours, biking, paddling and hiking your way through scenic locales will keep you on the move!

​For more information about charting your own course and to book your river cruise, contact all inclusive vacation expert and river cruise specialist, ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com! She's been there and done it!!

Contact CHRISRAKES@TOTALEXPERIENCETRAVEL.COM to learn more!

1. The crew! You can most definitely expect the service to be personal and efficient on a intimate sized ship.  As soon as you step onboard you'll feel a warm and fuzzy vibe, and you don't have to be a regular to feel like part of the family.

2.  Mostly, you will be the only ship in port, visiting private islands, docking alongside private resorts or in secluded bays on bigger islands, and even calling at places that don’t normally receive cruise ships at all. Places like the mountainous Saba, a Dutch island,  with its top-of-the-mount villages and gorgeously lush terrain. With all civilization (shops and cafes) located high above sea level, it reminds you of a Caribbean version of Greece’s Santorini.

3. Certainly, part of the appeal of an island yachting cruise is the beaches. However, there is plenty of opportunity to expand beyond that, too. Exploring options include hikes, scuba diving, a ride to the bottom of the sea on a submersible, cultural forays into the culinary arts, and even embracing your inner hell-raiser by flying across the Antiguan jungle on a zip line.

4. Aboard an intimate vessel, there is still variety of dining venues, from beautifully arranged healthful treats (salads, tapas, fruit) to decadent burgers. The highlight each night – is dinner!  You can sample from  a multi-course continental themed menu or try local specialties – or a combo of both. Another plus: courses are small and not-too-heavy.

5. Last and by no means least, what gives the best yacht cruises an edge is their onboard Marina. Kitted  with kayaks, windsurfing, stand up paddle boards and floats for swimming around the ship itself when its anchored at sea, is plain old FUN!

​On Friday, Mexico’s president Enrique Pena Nieto designated the Revillagigedo Archipelago, a set of four volcanic islands and its surrounding waters, as the nation’s newest national park.

The park, located approximately 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas and 400 miles from Colima, serves as a feeding and migration areas for whales, sharks, rays and other migratory species. Encompassing more than 57,000 square miles, it is the largest marine park in North America.

According to the Pew Charitable Trust, the four islands are “the peaks of volcanoes created more than 3.5 million years ago. They are part of a larger formation of seamounts, or underwater mountains, that help create the upwelling of nutrients from the deep sea that supports a vast array of marine life.”

A Pew fact sheet calls the area a “waypoint” for many large migratory species, including at least 366 species of fish—some 26 of which can be found nowhere else in the world. It also attracts 37 species of sharks and rays, including Mexico’s popular whale sharks and one of the world’s largest populations of oceanic manta rays. Four threatened species of sea turtles—leatherback, green, olive ridley, and hawksbill have also been found there.

“The remote marine park provides a place where whales, dolphins, sharks and tuna can feed, breed, and rest during their migrations,” read the fact sheet.

Because of the site’s rich resources, it was inscribed onto the UNESCO list of World Heritage properties in 2016.

While formerly a popular site for commercial fisherman, the national park designation means that no fishing or mining will be allowed in and around the islands.

“With the goal of guaranteeing maximum protection of this World Heritage Site, our national legislation’s strongest conservation category will be used, and all forms of fishing will be prohibited,” said Alejandro Del Mazo Maza, of Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, said in a statement, according to National Geographic.

While the new park is also being hailed as a potential new site for ecotourism, the designation also means no major development—including hotel construction—will be allowed on the islands.

Mexico has 34 sites on UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage List, including 26 natural sites, seven cultural sites and one mixed.

"The inscription of the Revillagigedo Archipelago to this list positioned us as the [country] with the highest number of registered properties in the Latin American and Caribbean region, and the sixth worldwide," said Vidal Franciso Soberón Sanz, Mexico’s Secretary of the Navy, which is being charged with oversight and security of the new park, according to El Universal.

The new marine reserve designation is being hailed around the world, including shout-outs by National Geographic and Richard Branson.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Matt Rand, director of the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, congratulated Mexico’s government on the new designation.

“It wasn’t an easy decision because they had significant opposition from the commercial fishing industry, which I think is unfortunate,” he said. “I would love to see a commercial industry embrace this notion that certain areas should be protected.”
​
He also called the reserve “biologically spectacular.”