Venice, Italy –

Venice, Italy

Before my voyage began I stayed for three nights at the Hotel Flora. Venice equals romantic – quaint – canals – gondoliers – carnival – palaces – glass – art – fashion – people! Venice is as wonderful today as it was 20 years ago, but it takes a little more work and a little more patience as the crowds today are significant. A pre or post cruise stay allows time to enjoy the city and such sights as an evening concert in St Mark’s Square without all the tumult present during the day. Venice is a city for pedestrians, it’s a city made for wandering – it’s hard to get lost and each turn exposes a charming balcony, a small plaza, a narrow canal.

Step inside Silver Suite 502.

Silver Explorer features nine categories of staterooms and suites. Among the most popular are the Silver Suites, of which there are six on Silver Explorer.

Capable of sleeping three comfortably and in privacy, Silver Suites are large, measuring 460 square feet, with separate areas for living and sleeping, marbled bath with a full-sized tub and separate shower. There are also two French balconies, which allow you to slide open the door and breathe in the morning ocean air or gaze at the night stars.

Situated in Kowloon, Hong Kong

Sitting at the Hong Kong airport waiting to board an Air France flight for Paris, I wish I could walk right back out of the terminal. I love the China I experienced on a just-concluded 12-day Silversea cruise, and I wouldn’t mind staying a little longer.

A busy day in the port of Venice, like most days during the summer months.

We spent a couple of days in Venice, Italy, filming for the new Avid Cruiser travel show.

Venice ranks right up there with Barcelona with regard to the number of ships and cruise passengers it handles. This city of 118 islands, 150 canals and 450 bridges surely woos cruise passengers who set out in search of its charms before or after their cruises. Venice is a living museum.

Silver Shadow docked at Shanghai

I am smitten with Shanghai. It wasn’t expected.

Of course, I had heard all of the great things about this great city, but the reality of being here was much better than I had imagined.

Fortunately, Silver Shadow overnighted in Shanghai (and was small enough to dock in the city center), allowing us to fill our days with the city sights and our nights with the city lights — all within convenient reach of our vessel, only a 15-minute walk from the famous Shanghai stretch known as the Bund. Silver Shadow offered complimentary shuttle service for those who preferred the comfort of a ride.

Norway was the dream, Regent made the dream come true. For over fifteen years I have wanted to return to Norway. Having been completely enchanted on prior visits by the midnight sun and the stunning beauty of Norway’s mountains, valleys, lakes, fjords waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, I always hoped that I would return one day.

As sometimes happens, if we keep wishing and begin taking a few steps, our visions become reality.

Rebuilt following severe bombing in World War II, Le Havre, France is a modern-day marvel. © Ralph Grizzle

I spent last week in and around Le Havre, France, and I must say I was impressed with the variety of shore excursions offered in this region in Normandy. During four exceptionally full days, we visited:

I just read Conde Nast Traveler’s Wendy Perrin’s Facebook post which referenced a post by Kevin May speaking about Trip Advisor’s recent softening in language around the ‘truth’ of the reviews being posted on their site.

Cruise Specialists and Luxury Travel Network team at Travel Mart

Cruise Specialists recently attended the travel industry’s most prestigious conference, Virtuoso’s Travel Mart, which took place August 14-19 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada.  During the five-day conference, advisors from Cruise Specialists joined nearly 1,700 other elite travel advisors and more than 1,600 executives and representatives from some of the world’s best travel companies, all of whom belong to the Virtuoso® luxury travel network.  In total, the conference attracted approximately 3,700 attendees – the largest turnout in the conference’s 23-year history – from 90 countries around the globe.