Total Experience Travel
  • Home
  • Meet Chris
    • Client Reviews
  • Viking &
    • Viking River Cruises
    • Viking Ocean Cruises
    • Ports of Call
  • Tours & More
    • Worldwide Activities
  • Sandals / Beaches
    • Group Travel
    • Caribbean Activities
    • Mexico Activities
  • Live_Fun
    • Travel Resources
    • Travel Specials
  • Contact
    • Small Group Travel Sign Up

Looking for a Spring Getaway? Think Tulips, Canals, Chocolate & Van Gogh

3/18/2019

 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG ON THE RIVERS OF EUROPE

Picture
PictureAmsterdam’s lovely canals and vibrant nightlife are among the highlights of a river cruise!
The season is officially upon us when the world seems to bloom with new sights and sounds to discover. One region that truly dazzles this time of year is along the Rhine River through the countryside of the Netherlands and Belgium, where millions of dormant tulip bulbs bloom each spring and cloak the landscapes in color. This spectacular performance by Mother Nature is not to be missed, so we encourage you to forgo the traditional spring cleaning in favor of a spring European getaway on an incredible river cruise.

Voyages along the Rhine are where flower-filled views meet meandering canals, and medieval architecture presides over bustling town squares that exude modern life. A “Tulip Time” itinerary typically sails from Amsterdam, beginning  with overnight stays. From there you will explore charming historic riverside towns where stair-stepped gables, imposing castles and cobbled alleyways take you back a century or two Other stops might include urban sophistication like that found in Rotterdam, sitting in stark contrast to the old-world charms of the rest of the region, with its contemporary architecture and high-energy boulevards.



For more springtime sunshine, follow the hillside paths through the endless tulip fields, punctuated by the iconic windmills of Holland. In a similar distinction between haute and historic, a typical Flemish itinerary will showcase the classic Dutch culture in Holland’s oldest city, Dordrecht, as well as Belgium’s high-fashion and art scene with an overnight stay in Antwerp. These sailing are filled with opportunities to taste world-class beers and chocolates, see the inspired brushstrokes of Van Gogh, discover the ingenuity of Dutch engineering and embrace the warm welcome of the destinations and your luxury river ship.
This is no time to spend cleaning out closets and daydreaming about adventures yet to come. Now is the time to find what discoveries will bloom when you sail through Europe on a fantastic river cruise.

Contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com to help you pick the right cruise-line and itinerary! She is an all inclusive expert & certified river cruise specialist. Her professional planning services bring you added value at no additional cost.  



As Awe Inspiring Outside As Inside!

9/10/2018

 
Picture
​From a former power station that houses monumental pieces of contemporary art to modern marvels of engineering that are as awe-inspiring on the outside as the art they contain, here’s our personal list for the world’s most spectacular art museums.
 
GUGGENHEIM, BILBAO, SPAIN
Built in a former shipyard, this titanium, glass and limestone building is one of the most celebrated pieces of architecture in modern times and placed the industrial city of Bilbao firmly on the cultural map. The museum is home to modern and contemporary art from all over the world. Expect irregularly shaped galleries, large glass curtains and unexpected design features.
 
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART, DOHA, QATAR
Designed by I.M. Pei, the same architect that designed the Louvre’s glass pyramid, the Museum of Islamic Art is a modern masterpiece inspired by ancient Islamic architecture. As the name suggests, the museum holds one of the world’s most impressive collections of Islamic art. From royal treasures dating back to the seventh century to ordinary household objects, every piece in this extraordinary museum tells a story.
 
TATE MODERN, LONDON, UK
Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, the iconic space is now home to spectacular galleries that include the station’s original turbine hall, the boiler house and oil tanks. The museum is dedicated to international modern and contemporary art. From monumental pieces of sculpture to colorful abstract paintings, you’ll be surprised by the range of exhibitions. Films, performances and workshops are also on offer.
 
NITEROI CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
It took five years to build this museum designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, but this spectacular saucer-shaped structure now hosts one of Brazil’s most important contemporary art collections. Like a film set from a science fiction movie, the galleries hover over Boa Viagem beach. With its panoramic views, the iconic museum is the perfect home for artistic creation and dream-like ideas.

Contact All Inclusive Vacation and Tour Specialist Chris Rakes to learn more and  help you get there!

Chart Your Own Course

6/25/2018

 

On A One of A Kind European River Cruise

Picture
Picture

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!!

    Picture

    Chris Rakes

    River Cruise & Luxury All Inclusive Travel Advisor

    Categories

    All
    Adelaide
    All Inclusive Cruise
    All Inclusive Luxury
    All Inclusive Luxury Cruise
    All Inclusive Resorts
    All Inclusive Vacation
    Antarctica
    Austrailia
    Australia
    Avalon Waterways
    Azul Resorts
    Barecelona
    Basque Region
    Bavaria
    Bilboa
    Bora Bora
    Bordeaux
    Brazil
    Breathless Resorts
    British Isles
    British Open
    Canada
    Caribbean
    Caribbean Cruise
    Caribbean Island
    Cruise
    Crystal Cruise
    Crystal Cruise Expert
    Crystal Cruises
    Crystal Endeavor
    Cuba
    Custom Tour
    Destination
    Destinations
    Destination Wedding
    Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
    Empty Nesters
    England
    Europe
    European Cruise
    European Getaways
    European River Cruise
    European Tour
    Europe Christmas Markets
    Excursions
    Exemplary Service
    Expedition Cruise
    Family Vacations
    Far East
    Fashion Cruise
    France
    French Polynesia
    Germany
    Girlfriend Getaway
    Golf
    Grace Bay
    Grand Canyon
    Grand Tetons
    Hilton Resorts
    Holiday
    Honeymoon
    Hosted Tours
    Hurtigren
    Hyatt Resorts
    Incentive Travel
    Independent Tours
    Indonesia
    Info
    Ireland
    Italy
    Italy-lake-region
    Jamaica
    Land Tours
    London
    Los-cabos
    Luxury Cruise
    Luxury Travel
    Mexico
    Middle-east
    Munich
    National-parks
    New-england
    New-zealand
    Northern-italy
    Oktoberfest
    Playa-del-carmen
    Playa-mujeres
    Providenciales
    Puerto-vallarta
    Qatar
    Redwoods
    Resort
    Rio-de-janeiro
    River Cruises
    River Cruise Specialist
    Riviera-maya
    Riviera-nayarit
    Sandals-resorts
    San-sebastian
    Scottland
    Secrets-resorts
    Siliversea-cruise-expert
    Silversea
    Small-ship-itineraries
    Solo Travel
    South America
    Southern-italy
    Spain
    Team-building-meeting
    Tips
    Tour
    Tours
    Tulum
    Turks-and-caicos
    Tuscany
    Unesco-world-heritage-sites
    Usa
    Us-cruises
    Viking-river-cruises
    Vineyards
    Wine
    Wine-cruise
    Yacht-crusing
    Yellowstone
    Yosemite
    Zoetry-resorts

    Quarterly Travel Tips
Phone: (919) 589-2437  
Email: info@totalexperiencetravel.com
Hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri or by appointment
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

No fees are charged to clients, as we get paid by suppliers when clients travel.  The only exception to this is when clients cancel after bookings are confirmed with deposit and assistance has been provided.  In this case, a service fee of $250 will be charged for individual reservations  or $500 for groups.  

  • Home
  • Meet Chris
    • Client Reviews
  • Viking &
    • Viking River Cruises
    • Viking Ocean Cruises
    • Ports of Call
  • Tours & More
    • Worldwide Activities
  • Sandals / Beaches
    • Group Travel
    • Caribbean Activities
    • Mexico Activities
  • Live_Fun
    • Travel Resources
    • Travel Specials
  • Contact
    • Small Group Travel Sign Up