Sailing into 2020

You don't think cruising is right for you? You might be right… but you might want to reconsider and look at cruising in a different light.  I do love a great Caribbean cruise with fun in the sun, delicious umbrella cocktails, and excellent entertainment... but cruising can be so much more than that!

Ships come in all shapes and sizes; from mega massive ships to very small intimate exploration ships that sail everywhere from Antarctica and the Galapagos.  Cruising is a fantastic way to travel with multi-generational families and friends because everybody can explore ports with their own interests and travel at their own pace but always reunite together for dinner.  

Recently, my family and friends journeyed on a sailing from Dover, England to amazing ports such as Copenhagen, Stavanger, and Amsterdam.  For this particular adventure, I  viewed my stateroom as a spacious ocean front bedroom where I got to explore Europe without having to unpack and re-pack over and over again. Through my local contacts, we explored these amazing cities in-depth and had a private hike in Norway which will never be forgotten.

Here are some highlights on my trip:

-Two nights in London exploring this fabulous city  

-Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam followed by a private tour and painting like "Van Gogh" experience

- Touring Copenhagen and playing all afternoon at the Tivoli Gardens

- Private hike up Lysefjord

Sailing Northern Europe was an amazing way to spend our summer vacation. If you think you are interested in a sailing for next year now is the time to consider for the best pricing and inventory. I am here to consult with you on the best cruise line, destination, and ship for you.  

Reach out to me at Jessica@mccabeworld.com or 703-762-5056. I am looking forward to planning your next adventure!

Magical Munich

The Christmas tree is down and we are officially in the middle of winter. Instead of the winter blues, I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on my favorite 2018 holiday memory...the German Christmas Markets.

I took my family to Munich for three perfect nights to get us in the holiday spirit. I admit, a bit extreme for holiday shopping, but worth the flight and every moment.

Three perfect days in Munich:

Day 1 – After a direct flight we transferred to the hotel. We spent the night wandering the beautiful streets of Munich and had a great meal at Spatenhaus an der Oper for some local favorites. I highly recommend the potato soup.

Day 2 –

I enlisted the services of my favorite German supplier to provide us with a full day tour to Bavaria. Our guide met us in the lobby of our hotel and then we drove the scenic drive on the famous “Romantic Road” to visit the fairy take castle of Neuschwanstein. Fun fact: This castle was the inspiration for the castle at Disneyland.  How do you get to the castle? You take a horse and carriage, of course! After we toured this ornate castle, we visited the adorable of Oberammergau, home of the “Passion Play.” This charming village with many woodcarver stores is brilliant during the Christmas Season.

Our last stop was to Steingaden to see the Wieskirche (Pilgrimage Church of Wies), which became UNESCO Heritage site in 1983.

Day 3 –  We took the train to Salzburg, Austria, for another perspective of the Christmas Markets. This was a truly magical day to include a horse and carriage ride, ice skating, more Gluhwein and  shopping for treasures.

Day 4 – We spent our last morning back at the Munich markets taking in as much Gluhwein and last minute shopping as possible before we head to the airport.

It truly was a magical getaway for my family.  Yes it is a long way to go for three nights, but I would encourage everybody to take advantage of long weekend getaways. Three nights is a perfect amount of time to really explore a new city. 

If you have a few days to spend in December there is no better way to get in the holiday spirit. Contact me at jessica@mccabeworld.com for more details and ideas.