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In This Issue:

This Month’s Events & Webinars
IGT Retreat!
November's Specials 
The Compass - Print Edition
Links to Past Newsletters
The Last Laugh

November's Events & Webinars

November 11 – Del Webb Cane Bay

Holiday Boutique 11am - 3pm

November 14 – Del Webb Lake Providence

Vendor Fair 11:30am - 1pm

November 30 – Del Webb Chateau Elan

Thirsty Thursday 5 - 7pm

IGT Retreat!

We are a small but mighty team of twelve at Imagine Going There Travel, and nearly all of us were able to attend our annual retreat in North Georgia.

Time together: Lauren, Krista, Carol, Cherise, Meghan, Terri, Darlene, Lynn

We went to Barnsley Resort, one of the Top 10 resorts in the South, as rated by Conde Nast, and a beautiful property on 3000 acres.

The Resort has an interesting history: the original manor – now in ruins – was an estate built by Godfrey Barnsley for his wife, Julia. Barnsley was one of the ten most affluent men of the South at the time, and made his fortune through shipping and the cotton trade. He started building this elaborate manor in the 1840s. However, before it was finished, his wife passed away, leaving behind six children. He was too heartbroken to finish it and moved away.

He returned to the estate six years later and dreamed that Julia wanted it finished for their children, so he completed it in 1848.

However, the property experiences various tragedies: a tornado tears the roof off in the 1920s and the family moves into the kitchen house instead of repairing it. Their great-grandson Preston, becomes a prize-fighter, entering more than 125 fights, but due to a dispute over the inheritance, Preston shoots his brother, landing him in prison in 1935.

The estate ends up being sold at auction. It later becomes a cattle and poultry farm, with the property left to further decay.

Barnsley Manor House ruins and gardens

To the manor’s rescue comes Prince Hubertus Fugger of Bavaria, who purchased and restored the historic gardens (where over 200 varieties of roses grow), and the ruins are somewhat restored. Barnsley Resort opens to the public in 1999, and includes quaint guest cottages and a Jim Fazio-designed golf course.

The Prince sells the resort to a private family in 2004, who expends the grounds to include a 55-room inn as well as a meeting hall for corporate events and a beautiful wedding venue.

Into this storied history, our little group arrived for a weekend of relaxation and fun activities. Horse-lovers, Krista and Cherise start off the weekend with a ride, and later we explored the property before getting dressed for a fancy dinner at The Rice House.

Cherise & Krista enjoy horseback riding

Meghan is the animal whisperer!

There are many firepits around the property and ours was right outside our cottage. The Resort provides the fixings for nightly s’mores, and we took advantage of this fun tradition both nights, strategizing, sharing and planning for the future.

Saturday we had a professional photographer come for a photo shoot, and it turns out she is related to the family who bought the property! She shared how as a young girl she would sit with her mother listen to her tell the historian who people were from the family photos. After that, we toured the museum by the ruins and watched as they set up the area for a beautiful evening event.

Krista, Lynn and Lauren gathering s’mores supplies

Fun times around the fire pit!

While we were sad that not everyone could join us, we had wonderful time. If you’re ever in the area, I encourage you to check out this beautiful property for a weekend retreat!

November's Specials

Treasures of the Rhine 10 days, Amsterdam to Basel *FLASH SALE*

2024 Sale dates: Jan-Feb

Starting at $2,499pp with Free air

Sale through November 10

Treasures of the Rhine has overnights in Amsterdam, Mainz, and Basel, Switzerland. It's more days than the Rhine Getaway for less money, too!

Jewels of Australia & Asia – 28 days, 5 Countries Sydney to Singapore

February 15 - March 13, 2024

Starting at $9,999pp

Includes Free Air ($1,999pp savings) + Free Silver Spirits Beverage Package ($675pp savings)

Plus, 50% Single Supplement

Travel from Sydney (overnight) and visit Mooloolaba, Cairns, Thursday Island (Australia), Komodo National Park, Bali (overnight), Indonesia, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam, 3 days), Koh Samui, Thailand, Singapore (overnight)

Viking Homelands – 15 days, Stockholm to Bergen

Starting at $7,999pp & $999pp airfare (savings of up to $800pp)

2024 Sale dates: May 3, 17, 20, 23, June 3, 28

Plus, 50% Single Supplement

Viking’s flagship ocean sailing touring Stockholm (overnight), Sweden, Mariehamn, Åland Islands, Gdańsk, Poland, Bornholm, Denmark, Berlin, Germany, Copenhagen, Denmark, Oslo, Stavanger, Eidfjord and Bergen (overnight), Norway

Southeast Asia & Hong Kong – 15 days, Bangkok to Hong Kong

March 26, 2024 only

Starting at $5,999pp (normally $6,999pp) and Free Air (normally $1,499pp)

Bangkok (overnight), Thailand, Sihanoukville (overnight), Cambodia, Ho Chi Minh City, (3 nights), Hue and Ha Long Bay (overnight) Vietnam, Hong Kong, China

In Search of Northern Lights – 15 days, London to Bergen

2024 Sale Dates: Jan 12, 24, Feb 17, March 12, 24

Starting at $5,499pp and Free Airfare ($1,499pp savings)

Plus, 50% Single Supplement

This sailing is so popular, and right now there are select dates that have free airfare – a $1,499pp savings! The sailing starts in London, then visits Amsterdam before sailing into Narvik, Tromsø (overnight), Alta (overnight) and ending in Bergen (overnight.)

Iberian Explorer – 8 days, Barcelona to London

January 5-12, 2024

Starting at $2,499pp and Free airfare

Plus, 50% Single Supplement

This January sailing starts in Barcelon, then travels to Murcia (Cartegena) Spain, sail the Strait of Gibraltar before visiting Vigo, Spain, then on to Portsmouth, England and ending in London.

West Indies & The Iberian Peninsula 13 days, San Juan to Barcelona

March 27-April 8, 2024

Starting at $2,999pp and Free airfare

Plus, 50% Single Supplement

Start in San Juan, then to Philipsburg, St. Martin, Madeira, Portugal, Valencia, Spain and ending in Barcelona.

Viking’s Expedition Ships

Panama & Scenic South America – 18 days, Santiago to Ft. Lauderdale

2024 dates: March 6, 24

Starting at $6,995pp (normally up to $10,095pp) includes Free airfare and Free category upgrades to Deluxe Nordic 1

Plus, 50% Single Supplement

Start your journey in Santiago, then to Iquinique, Chili, visit Lima, Peru, Manta, Ecuador, sail through the Panama Canal and stop at Colón, Panama, then on to Cozumel, Mexico before ending in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Canada & The Atlantic Coastline – 16 days, Toronto to Ft. Lauderdale

2024 dates: April 2, 10

$6,995pp up to Deluxe Nordic Balcony 1 ($1,700pp savings)

Plus, 50% Single Supplement

This is a great North American itinerary, starting in Toronto, then sailing the St. Laurence Seaway locks, Trois-Rivières, Quebec City and Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec, Scenic Sailing up the St. Lawrence River, stopping at Cape Breton Island and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, then on to New York, Norfolk, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina and ending in Ft. Lauderdale.

The Compass - Print Edition

If you missed the print edition of The Compass, click here to read this issue. We relive a close call with roaring flames and feature new team member, Melissa Brummel, who will assist in client relations and help at in-person events.

Links to Past Newsletters

The Last Laugh

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!