Month: May 2022

If Alaska is on your “bucket list”, then you’re not alone – thousands flock to this state every year between spring and fall to see the breathtaking natural landscapes and impromptu encounters with a myriad of wildlife.

Often referred to as “The Last Frontier”, Alaska was admitted into the union as the 49th state, but it certainly jumps close to #1 in terms of its amazing beauty. This state is an outdoor mecca for anyone looking to experience some of the most beautiful, untouched land in all the world.

I visited Alaska last month and can attest that this is one spectacular state. It is definitely worth a second trip.

Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.  -John Ruskin

Alaska is the biggest, wildest state in the U.S. It’s rugged, stark, mysterious and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. With no shortage of wild mountain landscapes, beautiful glaciers, and abundant wildlife Alaska will pull you in with its beauty and refuse to let you go from its icy grip.

Take a look at a map and the first thing that jumps out are the vast tracts of wilderness and the complete lack of roads. Alaska has millions of acres of untouched nature and some of the largest national parks in the country.

Since it was my first time visiting, I thought it would be fun to tour Alaska by cruising through the Inside Passage on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. We began our “7-Night Alaska Glacier” adventure in Seattle and then sailed north with stops in Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, and Victoria, BC. We also visited Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. 

First port of call…Seattle

Seattle, my embarkation port, is more than cloudy weather and the iconic Starbucks coffee. It’s a young, vibrant city. There are hip, trendy neighborhoods and old and historic landmarks. There’s plenty more to the Emerald City than you’ve heard about. 

My first stop was Pikes Place Market the oldest farmers market in the country. It was buzzing with shoppers weaving in and out of the stalls, picking up fresh produce and tasting local specialties. Talk about a “foodie” city…I tasted many of their specialties and they were so delicious!

There were rows of brightly colored fresh flowers that blanketed the corridors. Many shoppers had a bouquet or two bundled with white paper…a perfect gift for someone special since it was Mother’s Day weekend.

I also stopped by the seafood counter so I could witness the classic scene of fish tossing and chanting after one of the customers bought the latest catch. Yes, the tradition lives on!!

My visit to Seattle wasn’t complete until I visited a few other iconic spots …the original Starbucks, the Gum Wall, the Troll in the Fremont neighborhood, the Great Seattle Wheel, the Space Needle, Pier 57, Discovery Park, my aunt and uncle and my longtime friend Mary and her daughter Charlotte.  

It was a whirlwind of a weekend! I am excited to go back to visit some of the museums and other hot spots that I missed.

And now for the main attraction…my Alaskan cruise!

Next up…Ketchikan

After leaving Seattle, we sailed north toward the Inside Passage to Ketchikan.

Ketchikan is the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s famed Inside Passage – a network of waterways that snake through some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful wilderness in the world. It’s home to abundant wildlife including black bears, wolves, and bald eagles.

Ketchikan is Alaska’s rainiest town and the weather changes rapidly, adding a forever chill in the air with sudden cold winds and fog blanketing the hilly town. The fresh air from the mountains and the surrounding Misty Fiords, makes it an unbelievable once in a lifetime experience.

Did you know that Ketchikan is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”? That’s a pretty big title and rightly so. From September through December, this place is the breeding ground for salmon.

As I walked through the town, I came upon a “fish ladder”, a structure that helps to facilitate the natural migration as well as movements of the fish. I’m sure it would be interesting to watch the salmon “climb” the ladder! One of the locals told me it’s quite smelly during spawning season! 

A Stop in Sitka

Sitka, our second port of call, is located on Baranof Island, on the outer coast of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Like most Southeast Alaska communities, Sitka is accessible only by air and by sea. Its small-town appeal stems from a unique blend of Russian, Tlingit Indian and American history.

We met up with a native who took us on a historical tour of the city. He was proud to share that his brother was commissioned to build the totem pole that is now standing in front of the Sitka National Historical Park Visitor’s Center. 

The park was established in 1890 and is the oldest federally designated park in Alaska. It’s home to the authentic Tlingit and Haida Totem Poles that are nestled in a rainforest of giant Sitka spruce trees. The totem poles are unique, colorful and intricate. To give you an idea of the size, I stood next to one of them by the park entrance.

Sitka is also home to “Fortress of the Bear”, a facility that protects and cares for orphaned brown and black bears. The caretakers shared how they rescued the bears and what they are doing to keep them healthy and thriving. Look at how close I was able to get to the brown bears.  :>!

Off to Juneau

Next up…Juneau…the capital of Alaska. Juneau is surrounded by beauty—mountains, rivers, ocean, and ice all collide in a beautiful and wild way. Although Juneau is located on a peninsula, it feels very much like an island, as it’s only accessible by plane or boat.

Juneau was the highlight of my trip…or shall I say Mendenhall Glacier was the highlight! It’s by far the most iconic and popular attraction in Juneau, and for good reason. The glacier is only about 12 miles from downtown Juneau, which makes it one of the most accessible in the entire state. It’s part of the Tongass National Forest and is one of many in the Juneau Icefield, which altogether encompasses a massive 1,500 square miles.

After getting all ‘geared up”, we boarded a helicopter and headed up and over the mountain and on top of the glacier…taking in the views high above Mendenhall Lake! I was surprised by the design of the glacier, layer after layer of flowing ice that created a spectacular jagged but ripple effect.

Once we arrived and climbed out of the helicopter, I stood there in awe at how beautiful and peaceful it was on top of the glacier. Our group walked over to base camp and the guides helped us put on our crampons. Then off we went with the sound of ice crunching beneath our feet.

We meandered past deep crevices and over little hills. Every now and again I would stop to take it all in…the sites and sounds that were before my eyes. It was so peaceful!

At one point I came to a meltwater pool and bent down to fill my water bottle with fresh, icy cold glacier water. It was so tasty and refreshing!

We continued our hike back around the pools until we reached the base camp.  And then we jumped back on the helicopter and flew over another section of the glacier before we headed back to the heliport.

What a WOW factor of an experience and one that I will remember for a long time!

Land really is the best art!  –Andy Warhol

Last Port – Victoria, British Columbia

Our final port was Victoria, British Columbia. I visited the Abkhazi Garden and Tea House. The garden was created in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi. It is a heritage garden famous for its majestic trees, rocky landscape, colorful flowers, and unique shrubs.

We also enjoyed afternoon tea in the original home. The Teahouse showcases traditional home cooking using fresh local ingredients. The scones and tea sandwiches were very tasty along with the mini desserts. We felt like we were personal friends of the Abkhazis.

It was a perfect way to end our adventure!

Alaska has been on my “bucket list” for as long as I can remember. Now I can see why so many people rave about it and go back time and time again.

If you haven’t visited yet, let’s start planning! There are so many ways to explore this magnificent state by cruising from one port to the next or by exploring on land by car or train through the vast wilderness. The options are endless! Either way…I’m here to craft an amazing journey that’s seamlessly organized just for you. Just go!  You will be glad you did!

And remember the rest of the world is open for travel.  If it’s not Alaska, where would you like to go? How about Italy, Greece, Germany, Scotland, Canada, Africa, Croatia, Costa Rica, or Turks & Caicos! In fact, anywhere sounds amazing to me!! How about you? :>

As your Travel Advisor, I make sure you don’t miss out on extraordinary experiences that you may not be aware of or cannot get on your own, as they are only available through my exclusive global network of travel partners and suppliers.

If WOW is what you’re looking for, let’s get started!

Washington, DC has a special place in my heart. It was the first city I lived and worked in right out of college. Every weekend I would hop on the metro near Old Town Alexandria and ride into the city to see what was going on. There were always cultural events to attend, 5K’s or marathons happening along Independence or Constitution Ave, food trucks parked bumper to bumper, people walking or biking on the Mall, and visitors from all over the world out site seeing.

“A journey well shared is a journey well enjoyed!”

Washington DC is well known as the capital of the United States. Named for George Washington, the country’s first president, and the seat of the U.S. federal government, the city functions as an important world capital. It is also one of the most visited cities in the United States, often seeing over 20 million visitors per year.

Anytime I have the opportunity to return to DC, I not only get super excited but I count down the days until I go!

Recently I took a group of 8th graders back to my old stomping ground…our Nation’s Capital. It was another great experience because it brought back memories of when I lived there and it also reminded me of my class trips when I was in middle and high school.

Overnight field trips were some of the most exciting times of my school experience. There’s something uniquely special about being at school before the crack of dawn and loading up the buses with a hundred or more of your friends. It’s a great feeling! Everyone is tired, but the excitement of the coming adventure really ramps up your adrenaline. What makes it even better now that I’m a parent, is there’s still a lot of learning going on.

www.xoomtours.com

Did you know that my first tour to Washington, DC was 14 years ago and this is what led me to creating XOOM Tours? I am passionate about taking students “on the road” so they can engage in life and learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Over the past 14 years, I have organized and led more than 60 successful student group tours with Iredell-Statesville School District and Mecklenburg County School District. As an insatiably curious traveler myself, I believe that travel not only opens eyes – but it opens hearts as well.

One of the keys to successful student travel are the teachers who do a masterful job of integrating what is taught in the classroom with real world experiences. The history books come alive in the Smithsonian’s, at the war memorials and presidential monuments or when we lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. You can see the “a-ha” moments from the looks on the kids’ faces. It’s exciting to watch them connect their lessons to their real-life experiences. It’s just as rewarding for the teachers too because they see firsthand how their students benefit from these opportunities.

The U.S. Travel Association conducted a study of 400 adults balanced for gender, age, race and income – half of which had taken a learning field trip, and the other half which had not — to determine the importance of field trips. The study found regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, those who take field trips have better grades (59%), higher graduation rates from high school (95%) and college (63%) and greater income (12% higher annually). In fact, 89% said educational field trips had a positive lasting impact because the field trips made them more engaged, intellectually curious, and interested in experiences in and out of school.

We live in a global society, and if you don’t experience life outside the neighborhood you grow up in, the world will pass you by.

Margy Natalie, the onsite learning manager at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum notes: “Field trips give students the opportunity to learn in a natural environment and experience things first-hand and from primary resources, rather than texts; real objects rather than photos.”

Carylann Assante, executive director Student & Youth Travel Association says exploration outside the classroom bolsters students critical thinking skills. “Today’s students are visual learners, and a field trip lets them touch, feel and listen to what they’re learning about, which helps them build on classroom instruction, gain a better understanding of topics, build cultural understanding and tolerance, and expose them to worlds outside their own.”

How does XOOM Tours make it all happen?

Each tour is an all-inclusive experience for the individual students and parent chaperones. I personally accompany and lead each tour as the Group Tour Director. Also included – Group travel insurance, hotel accommodations, luxury motor coach, three meals a day, snacks and bottled water, admission fees, privately guided on-site tours, customized trip tee shirts, and all taxes and gratuities.

Additionally, to prepare for each trip, I host parent, student and chaperone “prepare to go” meetings, gather and disseminate all trip details including updates and ongoing parent communications, provide chaperone packets, group photos and real-time updates using the REMIND mobile app.

And when we are on the trip, I am working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth trip from start to finish, communicating and coordinating with our drivers, hotel, tour guides and more to ensure a seamless experience that goes off without a hitch. Everything is taken care of so all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the immersive experience.

Washington, D.C. Trip Highlights!

From the celebrated symbols of patriotism, the workings of the U.S. Government as seen in the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the world-acclaimed inspiring monuments and museums, the sights and sounds of Washington, D.C., the Nation’s Capital, inspires millions of students every year.

Here are my favorite trip experiences!

The White House, U.S. Capitol, U.S. Supreme Court & Library of Congress

Arlington National Cemetery…Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers

Outdoor Monuments

National Museums

George Washington’s – Mount Vernon

I put the same amount of passion and energy into every individual or small group trip that I plan. From Educational Group Tours to family getaways to just-for-two couple’s escapes, I’m here to craft an amazing journey that’s seamlessly organized just for you.

The world is open for travel.  Where would you like to go? I have a few destinations in mind…Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Scotland, Canada, Austria, Slovenia, Morocco, Maldives, Africa, Croatia, Costa Rica, Argentina or Turks & Caicos! In fact, anywhere sounds amazing right about now!! :>

As your Travel Advisor, I make sure you don’t miss out on extraordinary experiences that you may not be aware of or cannot get on your own, as they are only available through my exclusive global network of travel partners and suppliers.

If WOW is what you’re looking for, let’s get started!

Many of us are traveling again after two years of Covid-19 lockdowns. And based on my bookings, the demand for international travel has risen significantly. This summer I have travelers going to Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Canada, Turkey, Croatia, and Costa Rica just to name a few. And the one thing all these trips have in common – they require a valid passport.

Very Important!

Not only do passports expire, but there are other very important conditions that may make your passport invalid.

This is much more common than you think. In the past month alone, I’ve had three different clients with either an expired passport or one that was not valid for travel to one of the countries they planned to visit.

In one case, they were hoping to leave in 10 days, but their passport had expired. In another case, they didn’t think it would be a problem since they’d be back in the U.S. before it ‘officially expired’. Unfortunately, the countries they wanted to travel to, like most countries, require passports to be valid 6 months BEYOND your dates of travel to guarantee entry.

The good news is I do have contacts to assist you in getting a new one issued, even in a few days if necessary. But it is best to know well in advance and plan accordingly.

Four very important things to confirm on your passport!

1. Six-Month Validity Requirement – Let’s take a closer look at this detail.  What is your passport’s “Date of Expiration”? Most countries require a passport to have six months of validity, BEYOND the dates of your travel. Also, many airlines will not let you board if you don’t meet this requirement. You can renew at any time, but it is recommended you do it nine months to a year before it expires.
2. Blank Pages – Many countries like Canada, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom, Italy and Iceland require at least one blank passport page for valid entry. Several others like China, Belgium, Norway, Portugal, and India require two full blank pages. If you show up without the required empty pages, you can literally be turned away. Keep in mind the last two pages of a U.S. Passport do not qualify as visa pages. So, if you need a visa, make sure you have an empty page with “visa” at the top.
3. New Passport, New Visa – When your passport expires, even if your visa is still valid, many countries won’t recognize a valid visa in an expired passport. China, India, Saudi Arabia and Brazil are the exceptions, but you’ll have to carry both the new and expired passports.
4. Face Tattoo or Face Surgery – This applies if someone has been in an accident resulting in major facial surgery that alters their appearance, or those that may have added facial tattoos or piercings that significantly alter their appearance. You’ll need to renew your passport and passport photo.

Did you know your passport has a tiny microchip inside?

Most people are surprised to learn there’s a tiny microchip in their passport. The chip is embedded inside the cover of all U.S. Passports issued since 2007. It holds a copy of your personal contact information found on the photo page of your passport. It’s used by an immigration official to read the data and confirm it matches with the information that’s inside. The purpose of the chip is to prevent someone from altering the picture or forging any of the information.

Other fun facts about passports!

• Most of the world’s passport covers are RED. There are many different shades, but red is the most common for passports. Other common colors are blue, green, and black.
• Citizens of the Vatican state in Italy (smallest country in the world) have their own country passport. You will not be able to have your passport stamped there because they do not have immigration or border control points.
• There was once an Iranian man who lived in an airport in France for 17 years due to failing to present a passport to French immigration officials. This story was the inspiration for the Steven Spielberg film, The Terminal.
• The only person in the world who is not required to carry a passport when traveling abroad is Queen Elizabeth II. The British Passport is issued by ‘Her Majesty’, the Queen. Therefore, the Queen does not carry one that otherwise would have to be issued to herself! All other members of the Royal Family, however, have passports.

Even though passports are valid for ten years, the time can go by quickly, and you may find your passport is expired when you need it most. If you’d like to travel but discovered your passport is expiring or expired, I can help.

The world is open for travel.  Where would you like to go? I have a few destinations in mind…Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Scotland, Canada, Austria, Slovenia, Morocco, Maldives, Africa, Croatia, Costa Rica, Argentina or Turks & Caicos! In fact, anywhere sounds amazing right about now!! :>

As your Travel Advisor, I make sure you don’t miss out on extraordinary experiences that you may not be aware of or cannot get on your own, as they are only available through my exclusive global network of travel partners and suppliers.

If WOW is what you’re looking for, let’s get started!