Traveling Touris

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lindblad's Nat'l Geographic Explorer Charts European Adventures This Summer

Sven-Olof Lindblad, president of Lindblad Expeditions, writes compelling letters. Like many of you, I'm on Lindblad's mailing list and every so often I receive a brochure with a letter penned by Mr. Lindblad himself. His missives are always persuasive and he crafts the letter to dovetail with a special offer that makes it really difficult to say "no" to an upcoming expedition adventure.

His May 15th letter introduces us to the 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer and her summertime European itineraries. He talks about visiting Europe "through the front door" from the sea. I agree when he says that it's a magical way to see Europe.

"It's different sailing into a harbor, watching a city's skyline unfold in front of you, than entering by bus from the airport."

That is so true!

Lindblad goes on to say that "at the end of the day, what's perhaps most important is the camaraderie that so naturally develops on the National Geographic Explorer between, frankly, the most intersting guests on the planet, a most engaging staff of historians, naturalists, and just plan raconteurs, and a crew that is really enjoying their new ship and would love to have you join them."

If only I had some more time to devote to vacations this year! Lindblad is promoting two excellent European itineraries right now that include free air and $2,000 in cruise fare savings.

European Odyssey: A Passage Through Centuries of Culture & History
September 27, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer

9/27: depart the U.S. for Copenhagen, Denmark
9/28: arrive in Copenhagen
9/29: Lubeck, Germany
9/30: Transit the Kiel Canal
10/1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
10/2: Oostende, Belgium (Bruges)
10/3: Bayeux, France
10/4: Cherbourg, France (Normandy D-Day Beaches)
10/5: St. Malo and Mont-St. Michel, France
10/6: at sea
10/7: Ile D'Aix and La Rochelle, France
10/8: La Cote Basque, France
10/9: Bilbao, Spain
10/10: La Coruna/Santiago De Compostela
10/11: Islas Cies and Bayona
10/12: Oporto, Portugal
10/13: Lisbon, Portugal

Exploring the Baltic's Historic Waterways
September 5 and 13*, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer
*travels from St. Petersburg to Copenhagen

Day 1: fly to Copenhagen, Denmark
Day 2: Copenhagen
Day 3: Lubeck, Germany
Day 4: Christianso & Bornholm Islands, Denmark
Day 5: Gdansk, Poland
Day 6: at sea
Day 7: Riga, Latvia
Day 8: Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Day 9: Stockholm, Sweden
Day 10: Stockholm Archipelago
Day 11: Tallinn, Estonia
Day 12: Helsinki, Finland
Day 13–15: St. Petersburg, Russia
Optional Moscow extension is available

If you book the September 5th Baltic voyage, you'll sail with Gil Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society, and his wife Wiley.

For more information about these voyages, talk with your travel agent or contact Lindblad Expeditions at 1-(800) 397-3348.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and copyright Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Check Out Crystal Cruises' Redesigned Website

Crystal Cruises launched its redesigned website yesterday. If you haven't already visited, please do so soon.

You'll find a lush design that's accentuated with gorgeous photography of Crystal's ships and ports of call.

The cool blues and greens are easy on the eyes and you'll find yourself clicking to all sorts of information, including:

in-depth destination information
shore excursion descriptions
tours of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony
live webcam views—bridge, port, starboard, and computer lab—from both ships
Crystal Guidebook that includes all the pre-cruise planning information you'll need

Visit Crystal's website, call them at 1-(888) 722-0021, or follow them on Twitter.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Want to Learn Italian?
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Menu: Prime 7 Steakhouse—Regent Voyager & Mariner

If you're sailing with Regent Seven Seas Cruises this summer aboard either Voyager or Mariner, you'll be one of the first to sample the new dining venue Prime 7. This intimate steakhouse serves USDA Prime dry-aged beef, along with seafood, lamb, pork, and chicken.

With its muted tones and rich leather chairs, you'll feel as if you're dining at an exclusive club.

The restaurant is only open for dinner and you'll need reservations.

Appetizers

Ahi Tuna Tartare—Haricot verts, black olives, tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, and herbs
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail—Fresh poached, chilled shrimp served with citrus cocktail sauce
Jumbo Lump Crab Cake—Lump blue crab meat with Southwest slaw and roasted pepper sauce
Foie Gras Slider with Rhubarb Chutney—Port wine jus, onion basil roll
Oysters Rockefeller—Spinach, Morney sauce
Combination of Three Steak Tartare—Classic, oriental, and veal
Portabella Mushrooms—Roasted red bell pepper and fresh goat cheese

Soups and Salads

Clam Chowder—Smoked bacon and Massachusetts clams
French Onion Soup Gratinee—Gruyere cheese
Hearts of Romaine Caesar (prepared table side)—Anchovies, herbed croutons, and Parmesan cheese
Chop House Salad—Mesclun greens, bumber, tomato, bell pepper, sweet onion, fresh bacon, and hearts of palm
Beefsteak Tomato and Red Onion—Fresh basil and aged balsamic

Featured Prime Steaks

USDA Prime New York Strip (12 oz.)
USDA Prime Porterhouse Steak (32 oz.)—carved table side for two people
"Cote de Boeuf" USDA Primte Bone-in Rib Steak (18 oz.)
American Wagyu Chopped Beef Steak (10 oz.)—with smothered onions and mushrooms
USDA Prime Filet Mignon (6 or 10 oz.)
Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef—with fresh grated horseradish
"Our Signature" Surf and Turf—6 oz. filet mignon with one of your favorite seafoods (6 oz. of lobster tail or Alaskan king crab legs)

Sauces