Monday, March 16, 2015

An AMA Waterway European river cruise itinerary emphasizing Jewish Heritage

AMA Waterways AMA Certo passing Bratislava Castle on the Danube 
The linked article just below is a bitter-sweet NY Times (3-13-15) account of a fascinating river cruise itinerary offered by AMA Waterways.  This river cruise line generally exceeds guest expectations and offers some of the most creative special-interest programs for individual travelers. EM
Tracing Jewish Heritage Along the Danube   By LISA SCHWARZBAUM
In Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, the river was a guide and a witness to vanished Jewish life.

Pasted at bottom is this river cruise itinerary for 2015.  Do note that the 8-day cruise may be packaged with a Prague pre-sailing land-tour option that further enhance the "heritage" experience.



Please contact me (781-325-2553 or edmccourt@travelcoll.com) for information about this cruise or other AMA Waterways programs.

Friday, March 13, 2015


2016 Red Sox Fan Cruise
Jan 9 – 16
Eastern Caribbean
(from Miami)



Cruise for 7 nights with legendary Red Sox players and WEEI announcer, Dave O'Brien, on the newest ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet, the Celebrity Reflection®. Show your Boston Red Sox pride at exclusive events onboard with Jim Rice, Steve Lyons, Luis Tiant, Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke.
Itinerary:
Miami - San Juan, PR - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - St. Maarten - Miami*


Includes:
• Time with former Red Sox players at an exclusive karaoke night, pool volleyball,
  autograph/photo sessions and more**
• Free Classic Alcohol Packages
• $50 Onboard Credit, prepaid gratuities and taxes
• Exclusive gifts from Celebrity Cruises


Steve Lyons
Lyons played nine seasons in the major leagues with four different teams including four stints in Boston and is a three-time national Emmy award-winning broadcaster. Drafted in the first round by the Red Sox in 1981 out of Oregon State, he is one of only three players to play all nine positions in one game at the major league level.
Mike Timlin
Timlin was known for his 93 mph fastball. His sliders and sinkers had a downward break, inducing a significant number of ground balls. In 2004, Timlin made 76 pitching appearances, the third-most in Red Sox history and tied for fourth in American League history. Timlin has four World Series Championships, two of which were with the Boston Red Sox.
Jim Rice — National Baseball Hall of Fame
AAA's International League Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Triple Crown winner in 1974, he was brought up to the majors for the 1975 season. During his 16 year career, Rice led the AL in home runs three times, twice in RBI, twice in slugging average, and four times in total bases. He also hit at least 39 home runs in a season four times, collected eight 100-RBI seasons with 200+ hits, and has batted over .300 seven times in his career.
Luis Tiant — Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
In July 1964, Tiant made his first Major League debut. During his time in Boston, his nickname El Tiante flourished just like his pitching. By 1975, Luis would win 18 games leading the Sox into the postseason against the World Champion Oakland Athletics. He threw a three-hitter complete game to defeat the Athletics, then faced the Cincinatti Reds in the World Series. Tiant pitched Game 4 throwing 163 pitches for the win and second complete game in the series. Although he had a no-decision in Game 6, he was still a huge contributor to the greatest game ever played.
Keith Foulke
Foulke started his career with the Giants, but was traded to the White Sox. Keith quickly made himself comfortable in the White Sox bullpen serving primarily as the set-up man. In 1999, he posted a 2.22 ERA in 105.1 innings over 67 games—which made him one of the best relief pitchers in the game. Keith signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent in 2004. The most memorable moment in the 2004 World Series for Red Sox Nation will always be Foulke stabbing the grounder hit his way and tossing it to first base for the final out, giving the Red Sox their first World Series victory in 86 years.
Dave O'Brien
Dave O'Brien enters his 8th season of radio broadcast for Red Sox baseball and his 24th year calling major league games. O'Brien also broadcasts for ESPN, where he has handled a variety of play-by-play roles. He has called the last several League Championship Series and World Series for MLB's International TV coverage including the Red Sox World Series victories in 2004 and 2007.
* Prices per person, based on double occupancy and include prepaid gratuities, taxes and fees, port charges, departure taxes, and any or all other applicable fees in effect at the time of sailing. Rates & Fees are subject to change without prior notice. Valid for new bookings only. ** Exclusive events on a first come, first serve basis, subject to change and may be replaced by similar events without notice. Guests must register for events at the information desk upon boarding the ship. Named talent aboard are also subject to change. *** Celebrity Cruises Classic Beverage Package includes unlimited drinks up to $6 per serving; and spirits, cocktails, and wine up to $8 per serving, all soda selections, fresh squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees, teas and nonpremium bottled water and server gratuities (amount based on gratuity guidelines. **** OBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non transferable, not redeemable for cash, and expires 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. Other restrictions apply. Group Number ID: 8039843 ©2015 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships' registry: Malta and Ecuador. 5970 • 1/15
Space is limited. 
For booking or more information, call
Ed McCourt, CTC
The Travel Collaborative 781-325-2553
www. http://travelcollaborative.com/
625 Mt. AuburnSt., Suite 207, Cambridge, MA 02138

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Review these great opportuntities to visit Greenland!

Hurtigruten

Discover the Undiscovered - Greenland
EXPLORE THE ARCTIC ISLAND OF GREENLANDThe Arctic island of Greenland offers adventures you have never experienced before. The wilderness is amazing, the wildlife is exotic and the people who live here have interesting stories to tell. Choose from four special voyages that let you explore the best of the Arctic.
Incredible Greenland Voyages of Discovery. Now With Savings Up to $5,000pp
Glaciers and IceSpecial Photography Voyage
This Voyage brings you through Disko Bay to the less visited southern parts of Greenland. Visit traditional Inuit settlements and historic places from the Viking era, the capital of Greenland, Nuuk.Join wildlife and nature photographer Darren Perkell on this special Voyage and bring home stunning photographs of your own. Photography workshops and learning opportunities are included!

Arctic Wilderness AdventureNational Park Expedition
Enjoy rarely visited settlements with giant icebergs, fjords, wildlife and spectacular landscapes for an authentic experience of Greenland and its people. Both educational and inspiring.Join an extraordinary and exclusive expedition taking you to three Arctic Islands; Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland. Experience North East Greenland National Park, the largest and least visited national park in the world.



Email
E-MAIL ME:
edmccourt@travelcoll.com

Phone
CALL ME:
781-325-2553


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*From prices based on two people sharing an unspecified inside cabin on select sailings. Offer valid on new bookings only.
Offers not valid for port to port, group travel, packages sold by a tour operator. Ships registry: Norway


Hurtigruten, Inc. 320 120th Ave NE Suite 100 Bellevue, WA 98005 USA


Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Yes, Ireland IS a mecca for foodies!

You may have memories of visiting Ireland years ago, when Irish cuisine left much to be desired. Well, in the last decades things have changed quite dramatically across the island and in just about all food service settings.

I've linked this presentation from, arguably, Dublin's most outstanding hotel, The Merrion.  Look at what, Ed Cooney, the Merrion's executive chef, has in store for Saint Patrick's Day.  And, contact me for additional information about staying at The Merrion (781-325-2553/edmccout@travelcoll.com).

By the way, if you have a specific Irish eatery recommendation, please post your information as a "comment".

Thank you, and have a happly
Fhéile Pádraig!