October 2020 – XOOM Tours

✈️❄ Let’s Explore Scandinavia! ❄✈️

November 26, 2020October 26, 2020 by Allan VB

Denmark, Sweden, Norway & Finland!

I am thrilled many of you are enjoying the Travel & Wine Tasting events we have been hosting over the last few months. It’s like a virtual dinner party with tasty regional cuisine and specialty beverages while we escape to a featured destination…all from the comfort of your home.

Next up…The Scandinavian Countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland!

Let’s use the power of our minds along with local destination specialist, Agueda Mazarrasa of Delta of Scandinavia, as she joins us LIVE from Copenhagen to bring this destination ALIVE!

It’s time to pack your bags for our next adventure to this Nordic beauty.

THIS THURSDAY, October 29 at 8:00PM EDT. HERE’S THE PLAN:

On Thursday night, we’ll use Zoom Video Conferencing to present pictures, stories and videos of each country. We will also share some delicious recipes for appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages that you can prepare ahead of time and enjoy during our “virtual vacation”.

Join us to get inspired by these amazing destinations, with fun and laughter along the way.

DENMARK

Denmark is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s small, compact, and a convenient country to visit. This amazing Nordic gem is known for its engineering, architecture, food, fashion, art galleries & museums, castles & palaces, and truly world class cities. And one interesting tidbit is that Denmark’s greatest charm is its unique concept of ‘Hygge’ (pronounced as hoo-guh), which means to look out for a comfortable, cozy moment to cherish in your daily routine.

Are you ready for that comfortable cozy moment? I am! Let’s explore this Nordic beauty.

SWEDEN

When you think of Sweden what comes to mind? How about a country of thousands of islands, snow-capped mountains, beautiful lakes, dense forests and abundant wildlife! Sweden also has a long and exciting history. Whether you visit the capitol of Stockholm or any of the other outlying cities, there is so much to see, experience and eat! Get ready for some awe-inspiring stories and pictures of this beautiful destination!

FINLAND

Finland is a stunning country. It’s home to epic mountains, waterfalls, fjords and some of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the world. It’s also known for ice formations including frozen waterfalls and tall ice walls inside deep canyons or valleys. Get ready to experience an amazing adventure to this beautiful country!

NORWAY

Norway is breathtaking, awe-inspiring and quite photogenic. It’s full of rugged and adventurous landscape. It’s the land of fjords, quaint coastal towns, the Northern Lights, Vikings, trolls, dramatic photo spots, scenic drives and some of the best hiking in the world. Norway is your “go to” destination for a relaxing cruise through the fjords, that epic hiking adventure or even a trip to the Arctic Circle. Incredible, right?

With jaw-dropping landscapes, friendly locals, and epic adventures to be had, it’s no wonder why tourists flock to the Scandinavian countries. You won’t be the only one seeking the Northern Lights, hiking, fjords, waterfalls, epic scenery, coastal towns, or snow-capped mountains in these Nordic gems.

I’m sure your bags packed by now! Are you ready for a Scandinavian adventure? I am! Let’s go!!

Agueda Mazarrasa, of Delta of Scandinavia, takes us on an unbelievable tour through Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Agueda will be coming to us live from Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark! Very exciting!

There will be limited availability in 2021 because many people “lifted and shifted” their vacation from this year.

If you want your 2020 “Vacation Do Over”, let’s start planning your next adventure now!

We’re off to Costa Rica!

November 30, 2020October 18, 2020 by Allan VB

It’s time to pack your bags and head on our next virtual vacation. Many of you enjoyed the Travel & Wine Tasting events we hosted this summer and have requested we continue.

Guess where we are going on our next two adventures? First to Costa Rica then to the Scandinavian region…Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Let’s use the power of our minds along with local destination specialists, Wilhelm, Mauricio and Luis from Costa Rican Trails as they join us LIVE from Costa Rica to bring this destination alive.

Join US! Click on the box below to register!

I have fond memories of my 2 trips to Costa Rica. The jungles are incredible. The beaches are sparkly. The forests are lush. The waterfalls cascade through the cliffs and mountains. The volcanoes are active and biodiversity is spectacular. Costa Rica has an astonishing diversity of unreal places to visit. This beautiful country is a traveler’s eco-touristic paradise, where sloths s-l-o-w-l-y make their way through forest canopies and monkeys swing through trees. BEWARE…LOL!

National Geographic describes Costa Rica as ‘the most biologically intense place on the planet’ and you will notice how true this is as we explore this amazing country.

It’s not hard to fall in love with Costa Rica’s relaxed Pura Vida philosophy. It’s not just a catchphrase, it’s a way of life.

HERE’S THE PLAN FOR THE NEXT 2 VIRTUAL TOURS:

We have scheduled 2 different Virtual Travel Events from different regions of the world. Each night, we’ll use Zoom Video Conferencing to present the destinations along with delicious recipes for entrees, appetizers, desserts and beverages from each region.

Join us and you will be inspired by these amazing destinations, with fun and laughter along the way.

A Few Places to Visit in Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s prized jewels. Howler, squirrel, spider and white faced monkeys all inhabit the park. And they are certain to grab your food if it is left out in the open. So be alert…it can be a bit startling! LOL!! Just have your camera ready to capture the moment unless you are the target!! :>

Two-toed and three-toed sloths are abundant as are raccoons, coatis, pacas, anteaters, and occasionally ocelots. There are many reptiles including crocodiles, iguanas, boa constrictors and many lizards. Over 350 bird species have been identified within the park including toucans, aracaris, various parrots and parakeets, hummingbirds, trogons and more. Wildlife is everywhere and not just in protected areas.

So be prepared for some wildlife paparazzi moments!

As you stroll through the park, you’ll also see some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Did you know Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise?

Arenal Volcano – La Fortuna

When you imagine a volcano you picture Arenal. It’s the perfect cone shape volcano with beautiful hiking trails all around. This is what makes Arenal one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica. The small town La Fortuna is located at the base of Arenal.

Native Animals of Costa Rica

Fun Fact: Did you know that there are more than 500,000 animal and plant species in Costa Rica, making the nation one of the 20 most biodiverse countries in the world. For this reason, it is an incredible place to come and see unique and abundant wildlife, the 32 national parks, 51 wildlife refuges, 13 forest reserves, and eight biological reserves.

I can tell you first hand that the opportunity to encounter native animals is quite high! You never know when one will pop in front of you or you’ll see one in a tree. I came across these animals (see pictures above) in Manuel Antonio National Park. So definitely keep your eyes peeled to enjoy the vast natural wonders of this magical place.

Costa Rica is for the Thrill Seeker!

Get ready for some adventure! Whether it is zip lining through the canyons, white water rafting on the Pacuare River, driving across Guanacaste on an ATV, walking across the many hanging bridges, kayaking in Manuel Antonio National Park or horseback riding in the Orosi Valley…there is something for everyone!

Costa Rican Cuisine!

There are so many delicious dishes that are a must-try when visiting Costa Rica. Traditional Costa Rican food is hearty, savory and always satisfying…kind of like grandma’s home cooking with a flavor-bursting Latin flare!

With jaw-dropping landscapes, friendly locals, and epic adventures to be had, it’s no wonder why tourists flock to Costa Rica. You won’t be the only one seeking the waterfalls, volcanoes and amazing surf in this Central American gem.

Are your bags packed? Are you ready for a Costa Rican adventure? I am! Let’s go!!

Join us as Wilhelm von Breymann, Co-Owner of Costa Rican Trails, along with Mauricio and Luis share their love of Costa Rica. For more than 25 years, Costa Rican Trails has provided unique and innovative travel experiences for families, romantic getaways, fishing and nature lovers, as well as pure adrenaline seekers! Are you ready?!

Join us as Claudio Nielsen, of Delta of Scandinavia, takes us on an unbelievable tour through Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. We will visit Finland, Iceland and the Baltic countries in Series #4. Claudio will be coming to us live from Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark! Very exciting!

A Carnival Delight – Melting Chocolate Cake

November 27, 2020October 11, 2020 by Allan VB

Did You Know?

The largest cruise ships serve nearly 20,000 meals a day! Yes, it’s true, between passenger and crew meals some of the largest ships put out staggering quantities of food. On a typical week long cruise passengers and crew can consume over 100 tons of food. This includes over 1 ton of coffee, 2.5 tons of butter, 4 tons of fish, 5 tons of lettuce, 5 tons of tomatoes, 5 tons of cheese, 6 tons of flour, 8 tons of potatoes, 10 tons of beef, 20 tons of chicken, 80,000 eggs, and the list goes on

**Lisa & Allan – Sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas**

Dining is a big part of the sailing experience and cruise lines know it. Tapping celebrity chefs for new, different and exciting culinary ideas, we see a variety of venues ranging from fast food to gourmet cuisine, not available anywhere else.

In-house culinary teams also create menu items that are so pleasing to our palette that they keep us coming back for more, sailing after sailing. Cruise travelers have their favorites and often request recipes so they can try their hand at replicating these wonderful menu items at home.

On every cruise, there’s a dish that stands out as the scene-stealer of the trip. These food memories stick in your mind — sometimes we can smell and taste our favorites long after we disembark.

Carnival Cruise Line certainly has created a delectable dessert…one that makes you salivate whenever the words MELTING CHOCOLATE CAKE are mentioned! This delight has a chocolaty, oozy middle, and pairs perfectly with creamy vanilla ice cream.

Did you know that you can order it onboard any night, even if it isn’t one of the desserts on the menu? This is surely a crowd-pleaser and is easily the line’s most popular dish. The good news: It’s super simple to make and requires no complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Since we can’t enjoy the cruise life at the moment, I thought I’d bring a taste of the cruising experience (literally) to you. So put on a fresh pot of coffee and get baking! I can’t wait to see your yummy dessert. Please email me ([email protected]) your pictures!!

“All you need is love…but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” -Charles Schultz

Carnival’s Famous Melting Chocolate Cake!

Enjoy this rich baked delight that is served to thousands on every Carnival sailing!

INGREDIENTS:

6 oz Dark Chocolate
6 oz Butter
4 Eggs
3 oz Sugar
2 oz Flour

HOW TO MAKE IT:

Melt the chocolate and butter together.
Mix the eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes. Then add the flour.
Add the egg mixture to the melted chocolate…slowly and mix together.
Pour the mix in a greased mold. I like to use ramekins.
Bake directly in the oven at 390°F for 14 minutes.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice-cream on the side!

ENJOY!!

🍁🍃 Oh, Fall! Nice to see you again!🍁🍂

October 4, 2020 by Allan VB

We love the fall season for many reasons. It’s a beautiful time of year when you wake up and the air is cooler and crisper. There is a sense of calmness as you sit drinking warm beverages, wearing a cozy sweater, wrapped in blanket by a toasty fire. But perhaps the most memorable moment of fall is the changing of the leaves as trees suddenly burst with hues of fiery red and orange and warm yellow and gold. Across the country, people marvel at the dazzling colors that seem to emerge overnight and fade just as quickly as the leaves fall and winter arrives.

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” -Stanley Horowitz

Over the next few months, each state will experience its own, unique view of fall. While many people associate watching leaves change with weekend getaways to the Northeast, there are plenty of places to see the stunning seasonal views throughout the country. Classic leafy views in Maine, New Hampshire, and New York are always a great go-to, but you can also find amazing leaf changing action in states like Alaska, Georgia and New Mexico. So, here are some suggestions on where to explore the vibrant colors along with the fall foliage prediction map.

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Back to my old stomping ground…Michigan is certainly beautiful in the fall! I have fond memories of our family raking piles and piles of colorful leaves and then jumping in them only to rebuild the mound so we could do it again!

Michigan is also known for beautiful coastal scenery and no place tops the Upper Peninsula for a spectacular fall adventure. Bordering three Great Lakes, a fall-foliage drive through these parts will take you across Mackinac Bridge and along the Keweenaw Peninsula. The best spot to catch great views is in the far north’s Copper Harbor with a quick detour along the kaleidoscopic Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Breathtaking!

As you continue to drive through the vast and uninterrupted wilderness you can’t help but notice the vibrancy of colors. When you’re done driving for a bit, pull over for a seasonal brew by the fireplace at Houghton’s Keweenaw Brewing Company. A perfect way to end your journey while savoring the surrounding beauty!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park… North Carolina/Tennessee

The best time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains is in the fall –especially mid-October through early November — when the park explodes into a sea of orange, yellow and red. The landscape here is populated with sugar maples, hickories, sweetgum, scarlet oaks, red maples and nearly 100 other species of native trees. This colorful show will last seven weeks or more, depending on temperatures, the length of the day and other factors.

One of the best ways to scope the splendor is to hike to Looking Glass Falls in Western North Carolina. Autumn foliage stands to impress even the most well-traveled seekers of beauty. The leafy drama, painted in living color on the Smoky Mountains, can’t help but leave an impression. Spectacular, right??!!

Gatlinburg is also sure to put on a show. You can have a choice of several tramways and chair lifts for taking in an aerial view of the landscape.

The glorious changing of colors, transitioning from green to gold to red to brown, are why visitors flock to this area year after year to find the most stunning overlooks in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Are your bags packed for this spectacular and colorful adventure?!

Upstate New York

Here’s another one of my stomping grounds…and a beautiful location to catch the magic behind the colorful fall foliage.

The Finger Lakes communities celebrate the fall arrival of color with seasonal festivals and events, including the Bristol Mountain Fall Festival and the Naples Grape Festival. The last two weeks of September may be the peak of leaf-peeping season in the Adirondacks. A few hours South lie the New York Catskills, where the famous “Five State Lookout” in East Windham will have you scoping leaves in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut simultaneously. You can also summit the Catskills’ 3,214ft Mount Utsayantha for a 360-degree fall foliage experience. If you are not up for the hiking adventure, then you can catch the chairlift at Hunter Mountain and take in the beauty from above the tree line. Incredible, right?!!

Denali National Park – Alaska

Alaska may seem a bit far to trek for fall foliage if you are living in the continental US, but it will be worth the adventure. A drive through the park not only showcases the bright hues set against Denali — the highest point in North America — but also affords a chance to see moose, bears, and elks wandering around amid the turning leaves. Fall comes earlier in this part of the US, so aim to make your leaf pilgrimage no later than early October. And if you venture that way soon, I’d love to hear about your experience and see your pictures!

What fall colors are you seeing in your neck of the woods?

This year is already shaping up to be a better season than last for fall color. So hit your favorite trail, park or waterfall — or a new one — and take it all in. Enjoy this magical time of year…one filled with color and beauty!

If you want your 2020 “Vacation Do Over”, let’s start planning your next adventure now!

There will be limited availability in 2021 because many people “lifted and shifted” their vacation from this year.

So, don’t wait!