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In This Issue:

This Month’s Events & Webinars
An Inside Look at the Churchill War Rooms
Travel Tested – Carol Approved!
New Viking Itinerary – Wonders of India I & II
August Special Offers
Join Us on Explora Journeys – Feb 24- March 3, 2026!
Update on UK and European Union Visas
Links to Past Newsletters
The Last Laugh

August's Events & Webinars   

Webinar: Thursday, August 14th at 2pm

      Viking Rivers Itinerary: London Paris & D-Day

Registration Link: Register for London, Paris & D-Day

An Inside Look at the Churchill War Rooms

While I will be talking more about the London, Paris & D-Day itinerary in our upcoming print newsletter, I wanted to give some of the stories I don’t have space for in 750 words or less in the print version.

The London, Paris & D-Day itinerary has the core sailing of Paris & The Heart of Normandy with four additional days in London. These additional days are packed with things to do, and you will be kept busy seeing the D-Day Museum, Gunwharf Quay, the Golden Lion Pub, privileged access to the Churchill War Museums, Bletchley Park and lots of extra in between.

The informal poll I did while on the ship confirmed that the Churchill War Museum and Bletchley Park were the most fascinating parts of the pre-stay in London.

There are so many unsung heroes of the war, and some of their stories were highlighted in this tour. I love a good story – and there are a lot of behind-the-scenes facts that color the larger narratives that we learned in school. However, one of the guests said he was a history teacher and they didn’t teach him even a small portion of what we learned this week!

In September of 1940, the Germans started bombing London. So Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his Cabinet found a safe place underground where they could work uninterrupted and in relative safety. This facility operated day and night until the end of the war.

Top-secret plans were made here, and we saw the special room that was built for Churchill to call President Roosevelt once a week on a private secure line.

The maps along the walls that are covered in glass are original. In fact, there is a calendar in one room dated August 16, 1945 that never changed, as that’s when the war ended, and they literally walked out of the room and closed the door and didn’t come back. (There were even three sugar cubes left on the desk which once belonged to Commander John Heagerty who worked in the Map Room from 1939-1945. Sugar was in short supply, so this indicates how quickly everyone abandoned the War Room when the war was officially over.)

Above - Churchill War Rooms

For years, the rooms were left undisturbed, until the demand to visit the war rooms became so great that Margaret Thatcher opened it to the public in 1984.

You can find out more about what it was like to work in the video below:

The Map Room at the Cabinet War Rooms

Here are some other interesting tidbits I learned about Churchill which I thought were interesting:

Winston Churchill was born to an English aristocrat and an American heiress. His father, Lord Randolph, was the youngest son of the Duke of Marlborough and a leading politician. He was very proud of his heritage, but his parents showed him little affection. He was sent to boarding school, then sent on a career path in the army.
Lord Randolph never thought Winston would amount to much, and died when Winston was 20. He always wanted to be like him, which is likely why he went into politics. Winston wrote a biography in honor of his father.
Churchill was a war correspondent during the Boar War in South Africa in 1899. The train he was traveling on was ambushed, and he was held in prison for about a month, but managed to escape by jumping on a train from Pretoria before it reached full speed, hiding away under some coal sacks. He jumped from that train before dawn to avoid discovery, wandering through circuitous routes but keeping to the road as much as possible, as his escape had been discovered and his description telegraphed everywhere. He had ”neither compass nor map,” wandering for five days, and finally was smuggled to safety.
After his escape from prison, he returned to active service as a soldier and war correspondent in South Africa!
Churchill owned around 50 horses between 1950-1960, and his most successful horse was Colonist II who won a total of 13 races.
He had a dog named Rufus, and once reportedly said, “Take that dog away. We cannot both be barking at once!”
Churchill struggled with depression and a relative of his encouraged him to learn to paint. He enjoyed it so much that painted over 500 canvases. He said, “I have never found anything like painting to take one’s mind for a spell off grave matters.”
Did you know the Prime Minister does not have keys to Number 10 Downing Street? The door also can’t be opened from the outside. A security guard is always on duty to let people in from the inside.

I am writing this as I am still onboard the ship. I was in the library last night, and heard a comment of one man to the other as they were leaving the Explorer’s Lounge: “Hey, thanks for organizing this trip – it has been very meaningful to be here, and we’ve really enjoyed it.”

I could also echo those sentiments, and encourage you to consider London, Paris & D-Day or Paris & The Heart of Normandy for a future Viking vacation!

#10 Downing Street original door

Churchill’s dog, Rufus

Churchill’s racehorses

The Noiseless Remington Typewriter

Travel Tested – Carol Approved!

I’ve taken a lot of trips and have found a few things that have worked great, and other things that don’t live up to the hype.

For the next few months, I’m going to talk about a new travel accessory I’ve tried, so you can see if it might help you on your trips. Plus, I’ll also be giving away the featured item to one lucky winner!

This Month’s Featured Travel Gadget:

G2 Pro Smart Handheld Steamer for Clothes – Global Voltage Adaptation

Why do I like this?

I don’t like ironing (who does?), but really don’t like arriving in a vacation spot and having to spending time ironing out travel wrinkles. Steaming seems an easier option than breaking out an ironing board and iron (and some places don’t even have them!)

Once I bought a travel-sized one and took a converter, but it apparently wasn’t the right one, and my steamer exploded with hot water and totally burned it out!

So recently I tried a new one and like it for several reasons:

The portable size is easy to pack as the head rotates to make it even more compact, and weighs less than a pound.
It has a global voltage adapter that can be used without a converter
It heats up in 15 seconds and provides 10 minutes of continuous steaming
Can be used vertically or horizontally

I took it on this trip and was very pleased with its performance.

Try it yourself, or even better, enter our contest and have a chance to win one for yourself!

Here are the rules for entry:

Caption The Below Cruise Moment & Win a Travel Tested – Carol Approved! Prize

Got a knack for clever captions? Here's your chance to show it off — and win something fun for your next cruise!

We're giving away a G2 Pro Smart Handheld Steamer to one lucky winner! All you have to do is write a fun, creative, or heartwarming caption for the cruise photo below. Whether it’s witty, sentimental, or just plain brilliant, we want to hear it!

How to Enter:

Check out the featured cruise photo below.
Submit your best caption by emailing Newsletter@ImagineGoingThere.com with the subject line Caption Contest by August 30, 2025 at 5pm.
Double your chance to win by saying "yes" to sharing about your recent or future cruise for a feature in Tales From Our Sails*
That’s it — you’re entered to win!

Deadline to enter: August 22 by 5pm
Winner will be announced: September 6 online newsletter

Pro Tip: Make it memorable—entries that make us laugh, smile, or dream of the sea stand out!

* ‎ Must mention "Tales From Our Sails" in your email submission for an extra entry. If selected, you will be asked to share a cruise trip report and photos from the last 6 months or any future cruise that is already reserved. Must be booked with Imagine Going There. Not guaranteed to be published.

New Viking Itinerary: Wonders of India I & II

Some of you have asked if Viking was ever going to go to India, and these two new itineraries opened just last month.

“Delve into the rich history of India’s Golden Triangle, exploring Agra's fabled Taj Mahal, strolling through Old Delhi's winding streets and glimpsing Jaipur's ornate Palace of Winds. See Guwahati's temple, sail the Brahmaputra River and encounter the thriving villages along its banks. Search for the one-horned rhinos and buffalos of Kaziranga National Park and discover the cultures of Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands.”

For more information, click here.

August 2025 Special Offers

Reduced Cruise fares & Free International Airfare on these cruises

North Pacific Passage (23 Days, Tokyo to Vancouver)

Starts at $6,699; May: 6 & 25

Grand Australia Circumnavigation (32 Days, Sydney to Sydney) 

Starts at $12,499; Feb: 27

Panama Canal & Central America (15 days, round-trip Ft. Lauderdale)

Starts at $4,799; Dec: 27

Free Airfare (from mainland US gateways) & Free Gratuities on these select 2025-2026 sailings | Offer is from Aug 4-10, 2025 only

Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle (12 Days, Paris to Zurich)

Starts at $3,499; Dec: 8, 15

Christmastime in Paris & Normandy (8 days; Roundtrip: Paris, France)

Starts at $2,499; Dec: 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17

Cities of Light  (12 days, Prague to Paris)

Starts at $3,499; Oct: 31; Nov: 7, 14, 21

Paris to the Swiss Alps (12 days, Paris to Zurich) 

Starts at $3,299; Nov: 17, 24

London, Paris & D-Day (12 Days, London to Paris)

Starts at $4,999; Nov: 18

The Elegant Elbe (10 days, Prague to Berlin)

Starts at $3,499; Oct: 29; Nov: 3, 5, 8, 13, 18, 23

Passage to Eastern Europe (11 days, Bucharest to Budapest)

Starts at $3,499; Nov: 5, 12

Holland & Belgium (10 Days, Amsterdam to Antwerp)

Starts at $2,999; Nov: 14

Magnificent Mekong River Cruise (15 Days, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City)

Starts at $5,499; Sep: 10, 24; Oct: 1, 22; Dec: 17

Pharaohs & Pyramids (12 Days, Cairo to Cairo)

Starts at $4,999; Sep: 1, 2, 3; Oct: 7, 16, 29; Nov: 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 30; Dec: 2, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30

New Orleans & Southern Charms (8 Days; New Orleans, LA, to New Orleans, LA)

Starts at $2,999; Nov: 22, 29; Dec: 20, 27;

2026 - Jan: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Reduced cruise fares on select 2026 – 2027 River & Ocean cruises

Capitals of Eastern Europe (17 days, Vienna to Bucharest)

Starts at $5,499; March: 15, 29; April: 12, 26; May: 10, 24; June: 7, 21; July: 5, 19; August: 2, 16, 30; September: 13, 27; October: 11, 25; November: 8

Chateaux, Rivers & Wine (8 days, Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion to Bordeaux)

Starts at $2,449; Mar: 22, 29; Apr: 5, 12, 19, 26; May: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Jun: 7, 14, 21, 28; Jul: 5, 12, 19, 26; Aug: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Sep: 6, 13, 20, 27; Oct: 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov: 1, 8, 15

Christmas Along the Elbe (10 Days, Berlin to Prague)

Starts at $3,799; November: 28; December: 3, 8, 13, 18

Christmas on the Danube (8 Days, Budapest to Regensburg)

Starts at $2,649; November: 27, 28, 29; December: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18

Christmas on the Rhine & Main (11 Days, Nuremberg to Basel)

Starts at $4599; November: 27; December 7, 17

Danube Christmas Delights (8 Days, Budapest to Passau)

Starts at $2,649; November: 28, 29; December: 1- 9, 11-13, 15, 16, 18

Danube Waltz (8 days, Passau to Budapest)

Starts at $1,999; March / April / May/ June: 2026; July: 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28; Aug: 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30; Sep: 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29; Oct: 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27; Nov: 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 25

European Sojourn (23 days, Amsterdam to Bucharest)

Starts at $8,149; April: 22, 29; May: 6, 13, 20, 27; June: 3, 10, 17, 24; July: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; August: 5, 12, 19, 26; September: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; October: 7, 14, 21, 28

2027 – April: 21, 28; May: 5, 12, 19, 26; June: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; July: 7, 14, 21, 28; August: 4, 11, 18, 25; September: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; October: 6, 13, 20, 27

Grand European Tour (15 days, Amsterdam to Budapest)

Starts at $4,499; Mar/ May/ Jun: 2-6, 10, 14, 16-20, 24, 28, 30; Jul: 1-4, 8, 12, 14-18, 22, 26, 28 31; Aug: 1, 5, 9, 11-15, 19, 23, 25-29; Sep: 2, 6, 8, 9-12, 16, 20, 22-26, 30; Oct: 4, 6, 7-10, 14, 18, 20-24, 28; Nov: 1, 3, 4- 7, 11, 15, 19, 20

Mississippi Delta Explorer (8 Days; New Orleans, LA, to Memphis, TN)

Starts at $3,799; February/ March/ April/ May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; June: 6; Sep: 19, 26; Oct: 3, 10; Nov: 24; Dec: 1, 8

2027 – Jan: 26; Feb: 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Apr: 6, 13, 20; May: 11, 18, 25; June: 1, 8; Sep: 28; Nov: 16, 23, 30

Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days, round-trip Paris)

Starts at $2,449; Mar/ Apr/ May/ Jun/ Jul/ Aug: 1–2, 5–9, 12–16, 19–23, 26–30; Sep: 2–6, 9–13, 16–20, 23–27, 30; Oct: 1–4, 7–11, 14–18, 21–22, 23–25, 28–31; Nov: 1, 4–8, 11–13, 14–15, 18–22, 24–25, 27

Portugal’s River of Gold (10 days, Lisbon to Porto)

Starts at $3,949; Mar: 30–31; Apr: 1, 3–7, 8–15, 17–22, 24–29;

May/ Jun/Jul/ Aug/ Sep: 1–2, 4–30; Oct: 2–7, 9–14, 16–21, 23–28, 30–31; Nov: 2–4, 6–7, 9–10

Rhine & Main Explorer (11 Days, Nuremberg to Basel)

Starts at $2,649; April: 1, 11, 21; May: 1, 11, 21, 31; June: 10, 20, 30; July: 10, 20, 30; August: 9, 19, 29; September: 8, 18, 28; October: 8, 18, 28; Nov: 7, 17

Rhine Getaway (8 days, Basel to Amsterdam)

Starts at $1,999; Mar/ Apr/ May: 1–31 Jun: 1–30 July: 1–31 Aug: 1–31 Sep: 1–30 Oct: 1–31; Nov: 1–3, 4–18, 19–25

Romantic Danube (8 days, Budapest to Regensburg)

Starts at $1,999; Mar: 22, 27–29; Apr: 3–5, 10–12, 17–19, 24–26;

May/ Jun/ Jul/ Aug: 1–2, 7–9, 14–16, 21–23, 28–30; Sep: 4–6, 11–13, 18–20, 25–27; Oct: 2–4, 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, 30–31; Nov: 1, 6–8, 13–15, 17, 20–22, 24

Tulips & Windmills River Cruise  (10 Days, Amsterdam to Antwerp to Amsterdam)

Starts at $2,449; March: 16, 19–22, 24–25, 28–31 April: 2–3, 6–9, 11–12, 16–18, 20, 25–27

Viking Shores & Fjords (8 Days, Amsterdam to Bergen) 

Starts at $3,799; Aug 2025: 24, 31

2026 – Apr: 13, 20; May: 23, 30; Jun: 22, 29; Aug: 1, 5, 8, 12

2027 – Apr:16, 23; May: 28; Jun: 4; Sep: 29

2028 – April: 5, 12; June: 14, 21

Trade Routes of the Middle Ages (15 Days, Bergen to Barcelona) 

Starts at $5,499

2026 – May: 16, 20; Sep: 9, 12, 23, 28

2027 – June: 15; Sep: 21, 24, 26

2028 – May: 4; Sep: 7

Note that these prices won’t be shown on the website. Our priority is ensuring you get the absolute best deals!

Call Carol at 770-421-9627 for up-to-date availability and best pricing– plus we’ll add extra shipboard credit to your reservation, which you won’t get by calling direct!

Join Us on Explora Journeys – Feb 24 - March 3, 2026!

I’ve told you in previous newsletters how fabulous our Explora Journeys cruises have been!

Well, we’re doing another Imagine Going There Travel cruise to the Caribbean February 24-March 3, 2026, and would love to have you join us!

What a great way to get away from the winter blues – here's the itinerary:

A Journey of Paradise Coves and Puerto Rican Spirits (8 nights, Miami to San Juan)

Explora Journeys Caribbean Itinerary Map

Below is a photo of the Ocean Terrace Suite 2, pricing at $3,719.35 per person, based on double occupancy, which includes our group rate as well as an additional 5 percent discount (normally pricing is $4,130pp for this category.)

The sailing includes all the following as complimentary amenities in your cruise fare:

5 Restaurants
Unlimited premium beverages
Free wifi
Port Fees
Taxes
Gratuities

Come join us!! Call 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com for more details.

**PLEASE NOTE IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE UK***

UK’s new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is up and running! You must submit if disembarking in the UK!

The United Kingdom officially launched their ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) application process for United States citizens. If you are traveling to the UK you will need to be sure to apply and obtain this authorization prior to your departure. (Shortly after introducing ETA, they made the change that you will not need an ETA if you are only going through the airport “in-transit” and not going through customs.)

This application costs £16 and is done online. The website states it could take up to three days to process, so don’t wait until the last minute! Click here for more information and to apply.

Carol recently did it over her phone using this QR code. It was a clear and fairly easy process as long as you read the prompts closely.

CAUTION: If you type in “ETA” to a Google search there are many websites that appear to be “official”. However, you will end up paying too much if you use a website other than the UK government website. You should look for the “.gov.uk” address to make sure you have the correct information.

ETIAS for European Countries

We are continuing to monitor when this will start, and the EU recently announced it will not start until the last quarter of 2026. Viking has told us they will be sending out announcements to travelers once it finally goes into effect and the European Union will inform about the start of the ETIAS several months prior to it’s launch. Click here for the official ETIAS website.

One less thing to have to think about – at least for now!

Links to Past Newsletters

The Last Laugh

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."

- Robert Louis Stevenson

About Imagine Going There Travel

Carol is a Viking Master Cruise Expert and Group Travel Specialist, and she loves getting people together to enjoy the intimacy and hospitality unique to small ship cruising.

Consequently, our clients benefit from the “inside information” we have as a result of the great relationships we have developed over the years. They don't have to call an 800-number hoping to get a knowledgeable professional to answer their questions, and are also on the “first-to-know” list for specials and bonuses, all while receiving the signature TLC we put into every trip.

Vacations are the highlight reels of the year, and each one needs to be truly memorable.

Great Vacations Matter, Because Great Memories Matter Most

P.S. Whether you have questions about your upcoming cruise, or you have a Future Cruise Voucher you're trying to put to the best use, feel free to contact me at 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com. I'll be happy to answer all of your questions and give you the best advice for your Viking dollars.

P.S.S. If you've booked direct with Viking in the last 60 days, call 770-421-9627 to get an additional $200 shipboard credit to your reservation!