Our events will be light this month as Carol will be travelling to Lyon and Provence and also on the new itinerary, Treasurers of the Rhine. Check our Facebook page for updates as she showcases this brand-new trip!
I’m a big fan of Viking’s cruise itineraries, but have to say I’ve been rather independently minded as it relates to their extensions. After all, being in the travel business, I should be able to do it myself, right?
However, my view changed after conversations with many of our clients who have raved about the extension.
One of our clients, Donna, had returned from her Mediterranean trip, and said the Classic Greece and Ultimate Italy extensions were a highlight of their trip and to definitely encourage guests to take them if possible.
Having been on many Viking cruises (and many more to come), Donna’s advice carries a lot of credibility, so on our recent Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days, Barcelona – Rome), I added two extensions: Ultimate Italy – Tuscany and Madrid based on her advice. We are so glad we did!
We arrived in Florence after a long flight, and it was wonderful to exit customs and be greeted by our Viking representative and the driver who would transport us to the beautiful villa which would be our home for the next few days.
Sunset View from our Villa
The Villa il Poggiale is an historic home that dates back to the 15th century. It is situated on a hill overlooking the Tuscan valley. It’s in a great location, too and was just a short drive to the beautiful cities of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano, which were all included on our tour. The excellent food, tours and accommodations made it a delightful way to start our trip.
Our cruise ended in Barcelona, and since we had been there before, we opted to extend our stay in Madrid. The Viking team escorted us to the station where we boarded the high-speed train. We were traveling with some dear friends, and Kathy remarked we looked like little ducklings following the momma duck weaving our way through the train station. All the different platforms and languages can be intimidating, and I’m so glad we didn’t have to figure out all of those details on our own!
Since we were at the station well ahead of our departure, Viking provided private lounge access where we could relax with drinks and snacks before they took us to our VIP car. When it was time to board, our Viking hosts traveled with us to Madrid, making sure we had Wi-Fi connection, drinks and our lunch was included as well.
The journey from Barcelona to Madrid took about 2 ½ hours, and the scenery was beautiful along the way. It felt like a bonus tour! When we arrived, our guides transferred us to the centrally located Intercontinental Hotel, where two new Viking hosts were there to assist us for the remainder of our trip.
The next day we had a wonderful motorcoach/walking tour of Madrid, followed by a visit to the Prado Museum. This is a 200-year-old gallery that not only contains paintings and sculptures of many Spanish artists, but also works by many international ones, such as Dürer, Rembrandt, and Raphael. I expected to have a couple of hours there wandering around on our own. Instead, our guide walked with us through the museum, giving insight into the significant pieces in a rich and entertaining way. We all agreed it was a highlight of our time in Madrid, and a great way to wrap up a wonderful vacation.
Now, back to Donna’s recommendation, who started our venturing into Viking extensions. Donna and Steve just returned fromSouthern Atlantic Crossing, and extended their trip to Iguazú Falls & Rio de Janiero. She said it was fabulous, and one of their best extensions ever!
Taller than Niagara Falls, Iguazú Falls straddles the border of Brazil and Argentina and is the largest waterfall system in the world.
Our son-in-law, Sam, used to live in Argentina and said not only is this an amazing natural wonder, but that you really need to see it from both countries as the views are completely different.
With Viking you will do just that – you’ll tour the Brazilian side of the falls, then the next day see it from the Argentine side, where you will have a choice of different experiences and a local lunch.
After that, you’ll take a train ride to Garganta del Diablo Station, then follow the walkways to see the spectacular Devil’s Throat.
These unique and often hard-to-get-to experiences are difficult to duplicate on your own, and guests (like me!) are recognizing not only the value, but also how Viking makes everything so easy, too. For instance, the Iguazú and Rio extension includes:
2 hotel nights in Rio de Janeiro; 2 hotel nights at Iguazú Falls
10 meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners
3 guided tours: Rio de Janeiro City Tour; Iguazú Falls From Its Brazilian & Argentine Sides
Fully escorted by your Viking Tour Director
Flights from Rio de Janeiro to Iguazú and Iguazú to Buenos Aires
All transfers
Fair warning: These extensions are difficult to get, as the accommodations are exclusive and very limited.
If you’re going to South America, Italy or Greece, take Donna’s advice and extend your trip to include these wonderful experiences – you’ll be glad you did!
Here’s a hot-off-the-press sailing for those who are looking for January-March river cruise options! Similar to the 10 day Treasures of the Rhine sailing I’m doing in a few days. These early season itineraries have been so popular, they came out with a 10-day option on the Danube.
This new itinerary will include overnight stays in Passau, Vienna and Budapest. Along with two scenic sailing days, it will also include new stops along the way: Grein, Austria, and Györ, Hungary. In Linz, your included tour will take you to see the church where the wedding scene was filmed for The Sound of Music, along with a tour of Salzburg. You’ll cap the visit to this beautiful area with lunch in Austria’s oldest restaurant while listening to musicians regale you with songs in the spirit of TheSound of Music
The Treasures of the Rhine sold out quickly, so you’ll definitely want to book this amazing deal quickly to get the best availability!
If you missed the print edition of The Compass, click here to read about first-time cruisers, Paula and Jerry, who recommend visiting the captain in the wheelhouse and Christmas market itineraries like, Christmas on the Rhine. Also, Carol celebrated the New Year with a family trip on the Iconic Western Mediterranean and highlights the benefits of Viking extensions. Finally, just a few more words on insurance and what makes Viking insurance different from the others. (Oh, and don’t forget to check out the yummy recipe for fudge!)
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!
Imagine Going There Travel, 3600 Dallas Hwy, Suite 230-215, Marietta, GA 30064, (770) 421-9627
