Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, world-class shopping, eclectic architecture, incredible tapas and Tempranillo and all-around zest for living one’s best life is no secret. The city famously presides over global travelers’ lists of “must see” destinations, inevitably enticing them with days filled with as much energy and discovery as the pulsating nightlife. Barcelona’s treasures are many and diverse, and have drawn attention beyond that of culture-seeking travelers. In fact, nine important sites in the city have earned the esteemed acclaim of UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Since the city is fairly easy to navigate, whether on foot or by the abundant tourist and public transportation options, one can certainly plan to see all or most of these treasures during a visit to Barcelona. And with more than a dozen luxury cruises calling there in 2018 and 2019 – many with overnight stays – I'm happy to give you plenty of choices and opportunities to check these remarkable sites off your bucket lists.

Fun Fact: Of the nine Barcelona UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven are works by the city’s most famous son, architect Antoni Gaudí. They are listed collectively on UNESCO’s register as one enduring treasure, but are separate sites, boasting individual character and the signature style of the master, found throughout the city.

The British Open is about much more than just the game of golf. Over the past 147 years, the championship tournament has gained esteem throughout the world as the preeminent determination of the sport’s best players – one of the four PGA “Grand Slam” events each year, but it has also built a heritage that chronicles global events, society and fascinating history. The tournament has lauded champions of epic proportions and made champions of underdogs. It has been played on some of Great Britain’s – and the world’s – most ethereally beautiful courses, and attracted increasing numbers of people vying for spots, both in the competition and in the gallery.

The British Open is about tradition, competition, sport, beauty, history and the future. And it should be on your travel list for 2018. Voyages sail round-trip from London, with overnights in Dublin, Ireland and Edinburgh, Scotland, and calls throughout the rolling landscapes of the region. Guests sailing on this appropriately golf-themed voyage will not only be treated to exploration of the British and Emerald Isles and rolling hills of Scotland, but also opportunities to play at the region’s most renowned courses. The proverbial cherry on top (or perhaps the whole sundae) is a selection of VIP programs that place you at the heart of the historical tournament, in style.

Perfect your swing on board between golfing excursions. Two exclusive British Open experiences are offered from Crystal’s maiden call in Dundee, Scotland, which lies 40 miles north of Edinburgh and overlooks the Tay Estuary.  For a truly VIP experience, reserve your premium access to the Champions Club hospitality area at The Open, situated conveniently between the first and final holes of the course. There, mingle with fellow fans in the heart of the informal hospitality and high-end luxury for which The Open is known. Indulge in classic Scottish cuisine and an array of desserts, and sip complimentary beer, wine, tea or coffee served by roaming waiters at your service. Watch the tournament up close, or retreat to the large garden area and view it on the LED TV screens, away from the crowd. Your day also includes souvenirs and official program from the day.

A second option is ideal for guests seeking the full revelry of the event, taking in each stroke and chip shot in the heart of the action with fellow golf enthusiasts. Guided transfers to and from the Open, tournament tickets and official programs are included, along with the rare opportunity to witness a historical championship.

Whatever your relationship with golf – be it a general interest in the peaceful grace of the game, or a zero handicap and a trophy case of your own – British Open programs invite you to become a part of living history, in the region where the sport itself was born. Tee off on this remarkable 14-day golf-themed voyage, or simply appreciate the art of champions. Play at courses in Dublin, Belfast and Amsterdam, and perfect your swing on board with instruction from the onboard PGA pro instructor.

Pre-reserve your experience today! Contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com

Bali - In Bali, Indonesia, the sanctity of life is celebrated in almost hourly rituals,and that devotion infuses Balinese culture with dance, sculpture, theater and painting like no other spot on the earth. Though its splendid beaches are what attract most of the visitors from nearby destinations, Americans enjoy Bali’s ample sun and fun, but are much more enchanted by a culture and landscape that are rich aesthetically and spiritually. Americans tend to stay either in the southern tip of the island that culminates in the Bukit Peninsula with its Nusa Dua resort area or in other hotel nuclei such as those found at Legian, Sanur and the Kuta beach area.

For help planning your special trip to Indonesia, contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com

Iceland’s Popularity Is Becoming A Bit of A Problem.

The island—roughly the size of Alabama and home to about 347,000 people—will welcome about 2.3 million people this year, or about 6,000 to 7,000 people per day. That’s a significant increase from 2016’s 1.8 million visitors and more than triple the number of arrivals in 2010.

To put those numbers in startling context, foreign visitors outnumbered locals by about seven to one this year, according to Bloomberg.

Now the Nordic island nation defined by its dramatic landscape of volcanos, geysers, hot springs and lava fields is trying to figure out whether the country can, or should, accommodate even more people.
“This sector is maturing and becoming a real industry in Iceland, and with that, of course, come challenges that we need to be ready to tackle,” Thordis Kolbrun R. Gylfadottir, Iceland’s tourism minister, told Bloomberg.

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon presents a microcosm of what is taking place in the country.

A pool of geothermally heated water that’s rich in minerals and said to be good for your skin, the lagoon’s creation was something of an accident, according to BBC: Locals happened upon the water and started bathing in it. Now Blue Lagoon has become a “must-do” on tourist agendas far and wide, and the number of visitors has increased from about 50,000 in 1994 to 1.3 million this year.

Though this influx is presenting logistical challenges, it has also brought significant financial benefit. Tourism has grown to be Iceland’s biggest export, pushing ahead of wholesale and retail trade, (which is now the nation’s second-biggest industry), according to Bloomberg. Just one year ago, tourism accounted for about 8.4 percent of Iceland’s gross domestic product.

Amid such growth, the country’s residents and leaders are expressing concern about repeating the mistakes of the infamous herring bonanza during the 1960s and 1970s. That episode involved the collapse of herring stocks when overfishing brought the fish to the border of extinction.

Tourism is now so important to Iceland that any impact on the industry would be a major shock to the country’s economy as a whole, according to its central bank.  At the same time, tourism also appears to be putting pressure on the local housing market, causing a surge in short-term private rentals.  

So what’s to be done?

There are a variety of measures now being considered that would, if not limit arrivals, at least improve the quality of the experience, Bloomberg reported.  “We need to map this out to see what we can do to make the tolerance higher. Sometimes it is about strengthening infrastructure, sometimes it can be about steering access to particular areas,” Gylfadottir said. “The decisions we make will affect how this sector will evolve.”

Related Cruise
16 NIGHT U. S. ATLANTIC COAST CRUISE
Related Tour
Scenic Iceland and the Northern Lights (Winter 2018-19)

For assistance in planning your trip to Iceland, contact personal travel planner ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com 919.589.2437 / 434.333.0837

The thrill of discovery is alive and well with new luxury family adventure tours. The goal of these journeys is to provide something unique and hands-on for every generation of traveler and each trip features local moments, authentic experiences, as well as high-end amenities and seamless orchestration. Several trips are offered in 2018 with new itineraries in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, London and Paris.

On these carefully curated tours, a local expert finds ways to stimulate curious young minds and foster a lifelong love for travel Each journey is filled with enriching activities, like a hands-on baking demonstration in a Parisian boulangerie or the excitement of meeting Maasai children at their school in Kenya. In Antarctica, a kids-only Zodiac boat tour with a marine biologist has inspired many young scientists.

As culinary travel becomes one of the most sought-after travel experiences, families have not been forgotten. New in 2018 is the Family Foodie Experience. These culinary adventures give multigenerational groups an authentic cuisine experience. Families have the chance to enjoy handmade dumplings in Xian or churros in Madrid. 

Itineraries also focus on education through connections with nature, culture and locals. Trips feature in-depth cultural engagements through hands-on workshops, local soccer games with schoolchildren, the use of local transportation and more. 

Group size is small, typically not more than 24 in order to facilitate the type of local experiences noted above. Also, to ensure sightseeing remains crowd-free and maintain the ability to offer the highest level of accommodations, including boutique properties, superior service and luxury amenities. 

Just because these journeys are designed with kids in mind, adults aren’t sacrificing any of the luxuries and service they have come to expect from tour companies like Abercrombie & Kent and Disney.

The new Family Switzerland journey is an eight-day journey that includes rafting the Rare River, a visit to a local cheese-making factory, private alphorn-playing lessons, a chocolate-themed walking tour and more. 

The Family London & Paris trip is seven days and includes a high-speed boat ride on the Thames, travel through the Chunnel by train, a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, a stop at a French boulangerie and more. 

Family Spain highlights the country’s celebrated architecture with including Granada’s Alhambra and Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia as well as an equestrian show, traditional tapas, paella-making and more. 

The Family Italy journey is a 10-day journey through the heart of Italy, including gladiator training, pizza-making, museum tours and more.

Want to know more?  Just ask your local tour expert, Christine Rakes