So, the arrangements are almost complete for a friend and I to take one of my dream trips--a cruise through Northern Europe in August with MSC Cruises on the Lirica.
We board the ship in Kiel, Germany and head to an island called Visby, Sweden, then an up-and-coming destination Tallinn, Estonia, followed by the one I'm most fascinated in, St. Petersburg, Russia, an overnight stop in Stockholm, Sweden, and then Copenhagen, Denmark, before returning to Kiel.
For now, we're looking at taking turns playing tour guide in the different ports, except for St. Petersburg where we will take one of the ship's offered excursions to save the time, energy, and cost of having to get our own Russian visa (anyone that's gotten one before will tell you it's a headache).
It's my first cruise (aside from a family cruise around the Greek islands in high school), so keep your eye out for more info and tips as we prepare!
(Let me start by saying we booked through www.vacationstogo.com and have been extremely happy with the service provided by our agent and the price offered.)
Well, since I'm writing a blog about travel in general, I thought I should share blogs from two of my friends who are traveling.
The Southern Cross--Follow two friends and former employees as they explore New Zealand, a country that seems to offer a variety of adventures and beautiful scenery. The two are enjoying a life free from obligations and commitments and enjoying time together and the beautiful world we live in (although they are in a different hemisphere).
Journey to Misr--Read through the adventures of another friend who has moved to Cairo to study Arabic. He's lived in Europe and worked for the Peace Corps in Honduras, so he knows a thing or two about other cultures, but I think Egypt is a bit of a new thing for him.
Blogs are becoming a very common part of today's world and a great form of communication--particularly for those who love to travel and love to keep in touch with their friends and family at the same time.
Believe it or not, I had never thought of the idea until a friend sent me the link, but it appears there's a new trend in wedding registries--instead of the usual towels, blenders, and sets of dishes, couples now have the option of putting their honeymoon on a registry.
What a great idea! I've always been a fan of giving friends an event as a present (Beauty and the Beast tickets for my college roommate, a Michelin-starred restaurant dinner for my boyfriend, concert tickets for a friend, etc.), because something that meantingful would probably last much longer in someone's mind than a book or drink at a bar...so why not help a friend enjoy their honeymoon as the ideal wedding present?
A friend and her groom-to-be are heading to Australia to celebrate their wedding and sent out a link that gives us the opportunity to purchase a day tour of Sydney, a dinner at a special restaurant, or a night in their hotel. I'm so glad I can contribute!
It might sound a little tacky at first, but I'm a fan...why not give someone a memory that will last a lifetime?--especially with the way travel costs continue to rise. Do you agree or disagree?
If you're interested in this kind of registry, check out http://www.honeymoonwishes.com/, http://www.thehoneymoon.com/, http://www.thebigday.com/, or http://www.sendusoff.com/ (I have obviously never used any of the above, so cannot give a better review.)
