In This Issue:

• May and Beyond Events & Webinars

• Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List Destination!

• A First for Viking: The Future Sets Sail

• May Specials

• Update on UK and European Union Visas

• IGT Contest Winners

• Links to Past Newsletters

• The Last Laugh

May and Beyond Events & Webinars 

This month, along with hosting our usual Viking webinars we will be introducing a special voyage in Colombia on the Magdelana River with our new partner AmaWaterways. We hope that you will be able to join us to hear about this exciting new opportunity to sail a little-known river and the amazing sights, especially its exceptional birdwatching opportunities.    

Webinar: Thursday, May 7th at 2pm – 

Carol and Carson Hobart of AmaWaterways 

AmaWaterways in Colombia: Magdalena River 

Registration Link: AmaWaterways in Colombia 

May 13th (Wednesday) – Del Webb Southern Harmony, Murfreesboro, TN 

Ice Cream Social – Viking Rivers - 1:30-2:45 pm  

May 13th (Wednesday) – Travel Club @ Del Webb Southern Springs,

Spring Hill, TN

Travel Club Presentation and Ice Cream Social – Viking Rivers - 6:30 pm

Webinar: Tuesday, May 19th at 7pm –

Carol and Carson Hobart of AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways in Colombia: Magdalena River

Registration Link: AmaWaterways in Colombia

May 20th (Wednesday) – Cresswind Lake Lanier, Gainesville, GA

Table Trivia 7pm

 
Webinar: Thursday, May 21st at 2pm –

Viking Rivers Itinerary: Rhine Getaway hosted by Tracie Mosley

Registration Link: Rhine Getaway

Upcoming June Events:

June 4th (Thursday) – Village at Deaton Creek, Gainesville, GA

Ice Cream Social – Viking Rivers - 3:00-4:30 pm

 Webinar: Thursday, June 11th at 2pm –

Carol and Carson Hobart of AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways in Colombia: Magdalena River

Registration Link: AmaWaterways in Colombia 

Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List Destination!

Sometimes new destinations open up that get me excited, and here’s one I just have to tell you about!

Some of you know of AmaWaterways in Europe – in fact, I traveled with them on my first river cruise to see the tulips with my mother-in-law, Glenna, in 2016. It was magical and changed everything for me – I had no idea that type of vacation experience was even possible!

Now AmaWaterways is the only one offering sailings on the Magdalena River - one of the hottest new destinations - and the world is noticing. In fact, last year the New York Times named it as one of the 52 Places to Go in 2025. 

Ama made history by becoming the first luxury cruise line to sail this legendary waterway, which took 7 years of behind-the-scenes effort to make this dream come alive. They worked with the Colombian government to build the docks, dredge the rivers and even build the ship in Colombia, pouring much-need tourism dollars into the region. Plus, they've heavily invested in education programs for the youth as well.

Why Sail the Magdelana River? 

Colombia is the world’s second largest ecosystem after the Brazilian rainforest. If you are into wildlife, you will love this destination! 

Did you know there are hundreds of species of birds here? In fact, there's more than all of the United States and Canada combined! Enjoy an early morning or sunset bird watching safari boat, which is a highlight of the week. (All excursions are included, too, so no need to choose one or the other...you can do all that works with your schedule!)

Plus, with over 400 kinds of fruit, rain forests, mountains and floating villages, there is something for everyone.

On this 60-passenger ship, you’ll visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is Barranquilla. This city hosts the second largest Carnival after Rio and has been named a “UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Humanity.”

On another stop, you'll visit Mompox, an important Spanish trading post founded in 1540, which offered protection from pirates. Merchants would sail from Cartegena up the Magdalena River to sneak gold into this town to hide it from pirates.

The area became wealthy due to the abundance of gems and precious metals and is known for crafting fine filigree jewelry. You’ll get a chance to see how this jewelry is made – and make your own souvenir to take home, too.

This is the opportunity to get a cultural immersion into a land brimming with unique opportunities: 

• See traditional fishing net weaving
• Join in authentic local celebrations
• Go on wetland safaris
• Visit a town known for its jazz and listen to the locals play
• Watch how the locals roll tobacco
• Your water safari boat will pull up alongside local fisherman who make their living on this river, and they’ll show you how they throw their nets out and make their daily catch 
• Ride a tuk-tuk while learning about life in a local village
• Hear award-winning musicians playing la Cumbia – the traditional musical rhythm and folk dance of Latin America

Historic Tour by Paola

There are lot of great reasons to travel here: 

• It's close - no long overnight flights!
• Unexplored, unique itinerary
• Full of new cultural experiences
• Weather is consistently tropical and sails year-round
• Current promotions area great value

If this sounds interesting to you - if you ever wanted to go somewhere different – away from mass tourism, then I invite you to learn more about the Magic of Colombia on one of our three webinars.

Join me and Carson Hobart with AmaWaterways as he shares his stories of sailing the Magdalena River. Plus, you’ll hear about some great specials like: 

• Free airfare

• Free extension (join us in Medellín– a city that’s rated one of the top three cites of the world to visit)

• Military Discount

• Reduced single supplement

• Free gratuities

• Plus, an additional bonus just for attending the webinar! 

Medellin, "City of Eternal Spring" because of its mild, pleasant weather year-round.

While you can travel any time of year, Imagine Going There Travel is going to be onboard the AmaMelodia September 16, 2026, and would love to have you join us. (As a bonus, Keith, our COO and his wife, Lynn, our Finance Manager, will be onboard to keep things fun!)

This is the year to explore this new region of the world. The promotions are enticing, and you’ll be on an elegant river ship with a well-respected river cruise line that has been in business for 24 years, and is also pioneering this exclusive destination.

What Makes AmaWaterways’ Colombia Ships Different? 

The ships are custom-built specifically for its sailing on the Magdalena River, plus it features: 

• Small ships: 60 guests/30 crew
• Top-tier, locally sourced dining
• Multiple dining venues including a Chef’s Table experience
• Multiple shore excursions are included
• Gentle/Normal/Active paced excursions
• Complementary Wellness Program

Join us for one of our information webinars to learn more about this unique itinerary – it’s going to be a LOT of fun!

Webinar: Thursday, May 7th at 2pm – Carol and Carson Hobart of AmaWaterways 

AmaWaterways in Colombia: Magdalena River 

Webinar: Tuesday, May 19th at 7pm – Carol and Carson Hobart of AmaWaterways 

AmaWaterways in Colombia: Magdalena River 

A First for Viking: The Future Sets Sail 

Viking has officially reached an exciting milestone with the float out of the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions! 

Set to debut in November 2026, the Viking Libra will sail in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, continuing Viking’s commitment to thoughtful design and environmentally responsible travel. With the same ship experience, 499 staterooms, and space for 998 guests instead of 930, she will feel familiar to those who love Viking while introducing a new level of innovation behind the scenes, just 39 feet longer! 

What makes this so exciting is what it represents for the future of cruising: this technology will allow access to more environmentally sensitive destinations while reducing impact!  

It’s always fun to see what’s ahead, and this is one we’ll be watching closely.

May 2026 Special Offers

Select 2026 River Cruises 

Up to *Free Airfare, Reduced Cruise fare, Free Category Upgrades Valid until May 31st (*Free Air on select sailings only. From Mainland US gateways only. 

Pharaohs & Pyramids (12 Days, Cairo to Cairo) 

Starts at $5,999; Aug – Dec 2026 sailings 

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

Starts at $5,499; Aug – Dec 2026 sailings 

Reduced Cruise, Free Airfare* & Beverage package to select sailings  

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

Starts at $2,999; 2026 - Nov, Dec 

Cities of Light  (12 days, Prague to Paris) 

Starts at $3,499; 2026 - Oct, Nov 

Danube Waltz (8 days, Passau to Budapest) 

Starts at $2,599; 2026 - Nov 

The Elegant Elbe (10 days, Prague to Berlin) 

Starts at $3,599; Oct, Nov 

Grand European Tour (15 days, Amsterdam to Budapest) 

Starts at $3,999; 2026 - Oct, Nov; 2027 – Mar 

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

Starts at $4,999; 2026 - Oct, Nov; 2027 – Mar 

Lyon & Provence (8 days, Avignon to Lyon) 

Starts at $2,799; 2026 - Oct, Nov 

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

Starts at $2,999; 2026 - Nov 

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

Starts at $3,399; 2026 - Oct, Nov 

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

Starts at $3,799; 2026 - Nov 

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

Starts at $3,599; 2026 - Nov 

Romantic Danube (8 days, Budapest to Regensburg) 

Starts at $2,599; 2026 - Oct, Nov 

Select Ocean Cruises 

Up to *FREE International Airfare & Reduced Fares valid through May 31st 

Greek Odyssey (11 days, round-trip Athens) 

Starts at $3,999; Nov, Dec 

Malta, Morocco & the Mediterranean (16 days, Barcelona to Barcelona) 

Starts at $6,999; 2026 - Dec; 2027 - Jan, Feb, Mar 

Mediterranean & Adriatic Odyssey (15 Days, Rome to Athens) 

Starts at $4,499; 2026 - Nov; 2027 - Jan, Feb 

Mediterranean Antiquities (15 days, Athens to Barcelona) 

Starts at $4,998; 2026 - Oct, Nov, Dec; 2027 - Jan, Feb

Limited-time Sales for 2026 sailings

Up to *FREE International Airfare, FREE Stateroom Upgrade & Beverage Package or Shipboard Credit up to $500 per couple, valid until May 11th

Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days, Venice to Athens) 

Starts at $7,999; Oct 

Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days, Rome-Barcelona) 

Starts at $2,799; Jul, Sep, Oct, Nov 

Icons of the Mediterranean (11 Days, Barcelona to Athens) 

Starts at $6,499; Sep 

Italian Sojourn (8 days, Rome to Venice) 

Starts at $3,499; Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov 

Mediterranean Odyssey (13 days, Barcelona to Venice) 

Starts at $5,499; Jun, Aug, Oct 

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

Starts at $5,299; Sep 

Venice, the Adriatic & Greece (8 Days, Venice to Athens) 

Starts at $3,499; Oct, Nov 

Up to *FREE International Airfare & FREE Stateroom Upgrade* valid through May 18th! (*FREE STATEROOM UPGRADE - (All Categories V2 to DV1 and select PV3 to PV1.)

Ancient Mediterranean Treasures (8 Days, Istanbul to Athens)

Starts at $2,799; Nov, Dec

Cities of Antiquity (15 Days, Rome to Athens)

Starts at $3,999; Dec 

Iberia, France & England Explorer (12 Days, Lisbon to London)

Starts at $5,499; Sep 

Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days, Rome-Barcelona) 

Starts at $2,799; Oct, Nov, Dec 

Italian Sojourn (8 days, Rome to Venice)

Starts at $3,499; Nov 

Journey to Antiquities (8 days, Rome to Athens) 

Starts at $2,799; Nov, Dec 

Select 2026 Expedition Cruises 

Up to *FREE International Airfare and reduced fares valid until May 31st 

Canada & East Coast Explorer (15 Days; Toronto, Ontario, to Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 

Starts at $7,995; Oct 

Canada & Greenland Explorer (15 Days; Toronto, Ontario, to Nuuk) 

Starts at $9,995; Jul, Sep 

Chilean Fjords & Scenic Shores (13 Days, Santiago to Ushuaia) 

Starts at $8,995; Nov 

Great Lakes Treasures (10 Days, Milwaukee to Milwaukee) 

Starts at $9,995; Jun, Sep 

Into the Northwest Passage (15 Days, Nuuk to Nuuk) 

Starts at $9,995; Jul, Aug, Sep 

Panama & Scenic South America (18 Days, Ft. Lauderdale to Santiago) 

Starts at $7,995; Nov 

Panama Canal & the Americas (20 Days, Santiago to New York City, NY)   

Starts at $7,995; Oct 

These offers are only available as capacity allows, and can be withdrawn at any time, so act fast! 

This pricing is based on promotional codes that we will add and will not be reflected on the website.

Call us at 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com to secure your spot on these incredible itineraries! 

Update on UK and European Union Visas 

The new EES (Entry/Exit System) which collects biometric data at borders, including fingerprints and photographs, is due to be fully rolled out by April 10th, according to recent announcements. This is different from ETIAS that is due to roll out in the fall of 2026, approximately 6 months after the EES rollout is successfully completed.

This new European Union automated IT system that registers non-EU nationals for short stays in the Schengen Area, started rolling out October of 2025 and is replacing traditional passport stamping with the collection of biometric data like fingerprints and facial images. If you would like more information about the EES you can visit this link. For EES, travelers do not need to do anything advance.  When non-EU nationals cross an external EU border, they will use self-service kiosks to scan their passport, provide a facial image, and give fingerprints.

However, with this rollout, countries in the Schengen Area have been noticing longer lines and as a result, some are working to embrace the EU’s new Travel to Europe mobile app.  Sweden is one of the countries embracing the new app which allows users to add passport date and an image of their face 72 hours before they arrive at or leave border control. Portugal is also using the new mobile app, although currently travelers can only fill out the entry questionnaire in the app, not yet the passport data or photo.

Before you travel, visit the Travel to Europe webpage to see what countries are participating.  (Please note that ETIAS that is expected to be implemented in the fall of 2026 will require submission and approval prior to travel.)

**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.)

Starting April 8th, this application costs £20 and is done online or on your phone. 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 -updated 

We are continuing to monitor when this will start now that its precursor, EES, is now fully implemented. The expectation announced by the EU is ETIAS will start sometime in the fall 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 its launch.

Click here for the official ETIAS website. 

If you are traveling this fall or in 2027 and beyond, please have this on your radar screen as once it is announced it is something that will need to be completed prior to traveling. 

IGT Contest Winners

Thanks so much to all of you who joined our contests!

A huge congratulations to Judi Rose, our April Referral Winner and to Kathy Keeton, who successfully tracked down the port wine. It was found at the bottom of page 2 of our March print newsletter; at the top left corner of the Tunas Académicas photo.

Links to Past Newsletters

In Search of Northern Lights 

Don't Pass Up Portugal! 

Antarctica - The Trip of a Lifetime! 

A December to Remember 

Hello Tokyo! 

Adventures on the North Pacific Passage 

Paris & the Heart of Normandy  

London, Paris & D-Day 

A Magical Night Under the Stars 

What Were You Doing in Mexico? 

All Aboard Rocky Mountaineer! 

Spotlight on Cities of Light, Part 2 

Spotlight on Cities of Light 

Big “Bag” for the Buck! 

Surprises Along the Danube 

Let's Celebrate! 

Wonders Along the Adriatic Coast 

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! 

A Walk Through Olympic History 

On to Lyon & Provence 

Found Treasures, Part 2 

Found Treasures 

What's The Real Reason? 

Discover Alaska & The Inside Passage 

Iceland & Into the Glacier! 

Our Guests Review Iceland Ocean Cruise and Portugal River Cruise 

Our Guests Enjoy Scenic Scandinavia  

All Aboard Amazing! 

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!