I invite you to join our group experience on Europe’s Danube River this fall as, between October 27 and November 3, we sail northwesterly from Budapest, Hungary to Germany's Bavaria.  

Our group departs Logan for Europe on Wednesday evening, October 26.  On the 27th we’ll be met by the AmaWaterways team in Budapest and transferred to the spanking new AmaViola. The vessel will be in port in the Hungarian capital for 30-hours, adequate time for us to get a feel for this storied city.  Over the rest of the week, we will stop alt locations in Slovakia (its capital of Bratislava), Austria (Linz for Salzburg or the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov) and Bavaria.  As with Budapest, we will have an overnight and full-day in stunning Vienna.

This AmaWaterways program provides a perfect opportunity to visit some of the most memorable locations along central Europe’s water highway.  Using our vessel for transportation, eating and sleeping, the emphasis is on getting the most out of every destination (no parking & unpacking, no transferring from airport to city, no need to orient oneself).  In addition to all on-board meals (with wine and beer at lunch and dinner) and cabin accommodations, sightseeing is included at each port.  For those on deposit on or before March 31, 2016, the cost of ship board gratuities is also included! 

For more details about this value-laden offer, please scroll through this posting, and contact me by phone (781-325-2553) or by email (edmccourt@travelcoll.com) if you would like more information or would like to place a deposit on this program.  I sincerely hope that you will consider joining us.

Sincerely,
Ed McCourt

Cabin pricing – AmaViola – Melodies of the Danube/Budapest to Vilshofen - October 27 to November 03, 2016
	On deposit by 3/31/16	On deposit after 4/1/16
Category E	[AMA brochure rate: $3099.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	$2599.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$2849.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.
Category D	[AMA brochure rate: $3398.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	$2898.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$3178.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.

Cabin pricing – AmaViola – Melodies of the Danube/Budapest to Vilshofen - October 27 to November 03, 2016
Category C	[AMA brochure rate: 3998.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	On deposit by 3/31/16	On deposit after 4/1/16
	$3498.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$3748.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.
Category BB	[AMA brochure rate: $4498.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	$3998.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$4248.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.

Cabin pricing – AmaViola – Melodies of the Danube/Budapest to Vilshofen - October 27 to November 03, 2016
Category BA	[AMA brochure rate: $4698.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	On deposit by 3/31/16	On deposit after 4/1/16
	$4198.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$4448.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.
Category AB	[AMA brochure rate: $4898.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	$4398.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$4648.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.

Cabin pricing – AmaViola – Melodies of the Danube/Budapest to Vilshofen - October 27 to November 03, 2016
Category AA	[AMA brochure rate: $5098.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	On deposit by 3/31/16	On deposit after 4/1/16
	$4598.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$4848.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.
Category SUITE	[AMA brochure rate: $6298.00/person (basis 2 occupants)]
	$5798.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/person  -   port taxes Rate includes prepaid gratuities (a value of $105.00/p at current EUR-USD exchange rate). Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation and no later than 3/31/16, whichever comes first.	$6048.00/person (basis 2-occupants per cabin) $168.00/p  -   port taxes Gratuities payable on board at participant’s additional expense. Deposit of $400.00/person due within 7-days of reservation.

Kindly click on the "Read more" button on the immediate lower left to view additional program information.

Norway by Sea - 9/24 to 10/01/2015

It had been nearly 4-decades since I’d visited Norway.  Earlier this fall, I returned to this part of Scandinavia, getting to go well beyond Oslo and Bergen. Like other destinations, Norway has changed significantly since the mid ‘70’s.  Nevertheless it continues to enthrall those who seek natural wonder, unique cultural experiences and opportunities to be physically engaged.

The centerpiece of this visit was a 7-day cruise aboard the MS Trollfjord of the Hurtigruten line. Along with 8-other American travel counselors and a line sales manager, we embarked in Bergen and sailed north along the coast crossing the Arctic Circle on the third-day.  After visiting Europe’s northernmost point, Nordkapp/North Cape, we arrived at the Barents Sea port of Kirkenes and just six-miles from the Russian frontier.  

North bound itinerary from Bergen to Kirkenes

MS Trollfjord is anchored
 to my right in distant background

Needless to say, there was nothing ordinary about this itinerary. Early on we made a passage through the wild Hjørundfjord. The route took us by majestic mountains (the SunnmØre Alps) and eventually, into a peaceful cove in front of the pastoral village of Øye.  Tendered in, we hiked up hills that overlooked the idyllic setting.  Upon return we ate lunch of (surprisingly) delicious goat stew and cow-berries with cream at the historic Hotel Union Øye. At the end of 1800s Europe’s royalty (e.g. Kaiser Wilhelm II) and its upper classes frequented the hotel which has recently been restored to its former grandeur.

Hotel Union Øye

  

Exiting the Hjørundfjord, we docked at
Ålesund where I joined several other
passengers for a climb up the famous
418-steps staircase leading to the
summit of Mount Aksla right in the
center of the city. From here, we were
rewarded with a splendid view of
Ålesund and the surrounding

mountains and islands.

Ålesund from atop Mt. Aksla

Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral on a showery Sunday morning

Further up the coast we visited Norway’s third city, Trondheim.  Its major attraction is the Nidaros Cathedral, the largest and northernmost medieval cathedral in Scandinavia.  Its construction began in the 12th century rising up from the burial site of Norway’s patron saint, St., Olav, the Norwegian Viking King.

During the morning that we crossed the Arctic Circle, several passengers were awarded Hurtigruten’s Polarsirkel Sertificat (a.k.a. Certificate of the Arctic Circle).  

  

Neptune was overseeing in the background
to my right!

The recognition each candidate was doused with ice water and
encouraged to down a glass of
aquavit. To insure the authenticity of the rites, King Neptune was on hand.

I concluded that aquavit is an acquired taste.

Following the Circle crossing, and, 

after docking at Bodø, several of                              

,

us suited up and boarded a rigid-inflatable boat or RIB (to my left below) for a safari 

to the near-by Saltstraumen. This stretch of water is a narrow

channel connecting two fjords. It’s
reported to experiences the 
strongest tidal current in the 
world. The special RIB watercraft
allowed us to safely enter the 
maelstroms created by the coming together of the waters of both fjords.

This is a link to a YouTube presentation that captures a RIB voyage through the Saltstraumen. Captions are in English and Russian. I regret the pop-ups and ads, but this was the best video presentation that I could find. 

  
Saltstraumen is also noted for its white-tailed or sea eagle. World-wide, Norway is home to about 20% of this species. In size, the sea eagle is comparable to the bald eagle.  On our RIB safari we saw three or four of these impressive birds. Unfortunately they were perched atop buoys or on crags. None was in in dramatic or an crags.  None was in dramatic flight as pictured below.

(courtesy of the Northern Norway Tourist Board) 

Late in our sailing we visited Tromsø with its impressive Arctic Cathedral. I accessed the edifice by walking across the Tromsø Bridge, a span of two-thirds of a mile that connects both parts of the city. The walk was invigorating!  On the way back, I stopped at the city’s very unique Polarmuseet (Polar Museum). This compact but cozy museum is filled with exhibits that bring to life Norway’s very prominent role in Arctic exploration.

Tromsø Cathedral (in summer!)

Tromsø Polar Museum (as it appears much of the year!)

Nordkapp - Globe Monument

The following day, we sailed into Honningsvåg, the closest port to the Nordkapp (North Cape).  The ride to the Nordkapp is along the northernmost road in the European system.  Nordkapp is at 71ᴼ 10’ and 1300-miles from the North Pole (by comparison, Point Barrow AK is at 71ᴼ 23’ and 1122 miles from the Pole).  Nordkapp -- most accessible to tourists between mid-May and late August and at increasingly limited access between late fall and most of spring -- overlooks the Arctic Ocean from a 3000 foot promontory. Its most famous symbol is the Globe Monument (pictured left).  There is an excellent visitors’ center at Nordkapp that provides a great audio-visual presentation, a peace chapel and exhibits.  We visited Nordkapp on September 30, but fierce winds and snow squalls made it feel more like January in Boston!
                               
                   

                                                            At Honningsvåg -- Trolls are everywhere in Norway!

A bit more about the Hurtigruten experience ...

Of course, the Norwegian Coastal Voyage aboard Hurtigruten’s (14-thousand ton)
MS Trollfjord was a major part of this Scandinavian itinerary.  The Trollfjord and her 11-sister ships – continually plying the waters of the Norwegian coast, visiting 32-ports in 12-days (round-trip) – serve a dual purpose.  They provide the locals with postal, small cargo and ferry services along a coast characterized by fjords and mountains on the shoreline (beautiful, but largely inaccessible except by water).  For guests, like us, the itineraries are a visually rich vehicle for immersion into Norway’s landscapes, outdoor activities, food, beverage and cultural heritage.

The range of shore excursions on Norway Coastal voyages varies depending on season. For example, in summer, mountain biking, birding, kayaking, horseback riding and midnight sun activities abound.  In winter, dog sledding, snowmobiling, wilderness camping and, weather permitting, Northern Lights viewing are options.

Hurtigrtuen accommodations are simple, clean and comfortable.  English is spoken on board (as it is just about everywhere else in Scandinavia).  Most of the food is locally provisioned, making for memorable fish and vegetable offerings.  The breads, cheeses and desserts were also super.  There is neither gambling nor organized nightlife on board.
Given the activity level of the typical Hurtigruten guest aboard Norwegian Coastal Itinerary, bed times come early, anyway.

As for Bergen and Oslo ...

Before the Trollfjord voyage, I spent a day in Bergen.  Post cruise, I had 36-hours in Norway’s capital, Oslo. Both are excellent cities for tourists.  Bergen, with its Hansaeatic vestiges is very walkable and picturesque.  Oslo, a pedestrian friendly city, has a great public transportation system and lots of things to do close-in.  

The Bergen highlight for me was a trip out to Troldhaugen, the home (on right) of, perhaps, Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg. Admission here included a lunch concert with Norwegian pianist Torleif Torgersen.

Among the Grieg artifacts

Galway City, a Halloween gem!

The celebration of Halloween is rooted in pagan and Christian Celtic practices.  With the arrival of Irish and Scots immigrants in 19th century America, Halloween traditions began to be assimilated into the American experience.  Since the early 20th century, Halloween has been observed across the USA by just about all Americans.  But, what's the status of the October vent in Celtic lands?

One notable celebration takes place in Galway, the largest city in the Province of Connaught and a key stopping point on Ireland's new road, the "Wild Atlantic Way".  Galway is also home to the internationally renowned Macnas, a producer of festivals and celebrations that bring stunning large-scale images, interactive performances and "brilliant chaos" to the streets of the world.    

In recent years, Macnas, in partnership with municipal and civic sponsors, has produced Galway's famous Halloween Parade.  This year’s parade, themed “The Shadow Lighter” was celebrated on Saturday, October 25.  It featured ‘Danu’, Celtic Goddess of the divine and dark, brutal and beautiful, warrior and mother. Danu was joined by Macnas Mummers and Drummers, Youth Ballet West, the Macnas Brass Ensemble and over 200 performers and musicians from Galway City and County.

As a certified Ireland specialist (Tourism Ireland), I’m able to plan your visit to Ireland whether it be to Galway and Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way during fall 2016 or to any other part part of the island of Ireland in any season.  There IS something for everyone on the Emerald Isle!

Ed McCourt, CTC
Travel Collaborative
Cambridge, MA
edmccourt@travelcoll.com
781-325-2553

Want more parade background?  See this link (whether or not you speak Irish Gaelic!).