When I wrote that we were getting back up on the horse, I probably should have said that we had placed one boot in the stirrup. Compared to years past, 2023 is getting off to a slow start.
BUT, the two trips already booked should be amazing!
TRIP #1 ~ A Uniworld river cruise in Europe. “Zurich & the Rhine River Valley (Zurich to Nuremberg).”
A few months ago I found a fabulous deal for this cruise on Vacationstogo.com. Uniworld is an upscale river cruise line that is normally priced outside of our comfort zone, but with the deep discount offered, it was just too good to pass up.
Flying from Southern California to Zurich, Switzerland in mid June we will be staying two nights at the Dolder Grand Hotel. This Five-Star hotel normally runs $900-$1500 per night, but it was included in our package.
Zurich is Switzerland’s financial capital with the highest population in the country. Set on the shores of Lake Zurich, the city has its own unique charm combining a mixture of historic and modern architecture.
We visited this fascinating city a few years ago before taking an epic train journey throughout the country. Here are links to our previous time there – Walking tour part #1 and part #2
I just spotted this suggestion of things to do on the lake and it sounds interesting. Have any of you been there??
Visit the Monastery Island of Ufenau – From April to November, Lake Zurich Navigation Company runs boats to the monastery island of Ufenau, site of the 12th-century St. Peter and Paul Church and St. Martin’s Chapel. The island is a nature reserve and no swimming is allowed, but it’s a pleasant place to spend a half-day or so. There’s also a cozy restaurant on the island. ~ Tripsavvy.com
After two days to explore Zurich, we will be transferred to Basel to board our ship, the River Princess.
Our stops along the Rhine will include Strasbourg, Rastatt, Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Würzburg, Volkach, Bamberg and Nuremberg.
TRIP #2 ~ ETHIOPIA
Booked through Exoticca.com, we are taking their “Monolithic Churches & Ancient Tribes” tour in November. Here is a link to the trip if you want to see the day to day itinerary. The cities/places we will be visiting include Addis Abada, Lalibela, Gondar, Bahri Dar, Arba Minch, Turmi, Mago and Jinka.
This slide show (Please click where is says “view 11 photos) might give you a look at a few of the highlights we are looking forward to seeing.
We had hinted about a third trip. It was a new offering by Gate 1 Travel to Tunisia. Unfortunately the trip did not work for our traveling companions, so for now that trip is on hold. I’m still hopeful that we will be able to go there, perhaps in the fall of 2024. We have friends taking this trip in May and will be very interested in their feedback.
Still high on my wishlist that I’m hoping to add soon include Egypt, Israel, Jordan and a driving tour in Italy from top to bottom. The “Stans” also look rather exotic, and Gate 1 offers trips to both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
We hope you will follow along with us on our next adventures! “Travelling — it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful that we will soon be out traveling once again. It has been a long and challenging three and a half years and we can’t wait to put this all behind us.
A Note From Abroad 
So excited to follow your travels! You write a terrific blog!
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Thank you so much!
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Wow! Those trips sound wonderful and exotic. I look forward to reading about them. If you ever find a stupendously good deal on a Vacationstogo cruise again – please share with me!!! I’d love to do a European River cruise.
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We really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere on a river cruise and are very much looking forward to this one.
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Check out Vacations to go FastDeal #T34961!
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Thanks. I’ll keep an eye on those.
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As always looks like great trips and a chance to travel from my desk!
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Hi John! So lovely to hear from you! We are more than ready to get back to traveling. I feel like we are getting a slow start, but delighted to be getting out there once again. I hope you are doing well.
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Yay! for getting “on the road again!” Though I’ve enjoyed some fascinating travel this year, it’s been confined to domestic so far.
I’m curious about the “why” of your attraction to river cruises, other than them being relaxing, and wonder if you also enjoy ocean cruises, given the right vessel?
Cruises have never appealed to me in general, though a friend and I are taking a special Caribbean cruise in January, The Jazz Cruise. With 200 potential hours of top notch jazz over a week, I’m definitely looking forward to the experience.
I also, many moons ago, took a freighter trip up the Inside Passage, from Victoria, British Columbia to Hyder, Alaska. It was a working ship that delivered goods to the isolated villages along the Passage, and it was a fabulous trip with just 12 passengers.
Safe travels!
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Hello Maha!! I’m so happy that you are well and traveling again. River cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel. It is of course quite relaxing, but being on the small ships, we can dock right in the center of most of the towns we stop in. Depending on the cruise line, often the shore excursions are included. Many times these are excellent walking tours. And of course the scenery when you are cruising down the river from place to place is so lovely. As a foodie, I’m in heaven with all the meals.
Yes, we also very much enjoy ocean cruises as well. I’m just finishing up a post about a cruise we took last December with a bit of a twist. I’ll be scheduling it to go live in about a week.
Your Jazz Cruise sounds wonderful and I hope it is just what you are looking for. I’ve never had the opportunity to take a freighter, but have heard great reports from a couple other people that have thoroughly enjoyed them.
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I look forward to hearing/seeing your view of Switzerland. We spent a week there, staying with friends in Diepoldsau (also on the Rhine, but not the navigable part!) and seeing a local’s view of mostly the eastern side of the country. Four countries and three castles in one day? That’s the place to do it!
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We absolutely love Switzerland. It is one of the most scenic countries we have ever visited. Several years ago we did a two week train trip throughout the country and it was magnificent!
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These sound like fabulous adventures! I look forward to following along on your travels. Kellye
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We would love for you to follow along. Thanks!
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Glad to the two of you back in the adventure visit. Sounds a lot like us.
Last summer we did the Rhine River Uniworld Cruise and brought our kids and grandkids along. Great experience! We then hooked our 22 foot Imagine trailer up to our truck for a three month journey around the US. In late February/early March we did the Uniworld Nile River Cruise— even more fabulous that the Rhine River. We are now out in our trailer on another three month journey around the US and Canada. We will get back just in time for a trip to South and East Africa to visit national parks.
Not so much different, eh. Good luck on your trips this year. Curt and Peggy
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Hi Curt & Peggy! What a coincidence! I was just thinking about you earlier today and wondering how you were. You were one of our most frequent commentators on our blog posts and now that we are back to traveling, we were hoping to hear from you and know that you were doing well. Yes, it sounds like we have such similar travel styles and places we visit. I have my eye on the Uniworld Nile trip and that is right up at the top of my wish list for early next year (or sooner???). I’m even more excited seeing that you loved it even more than the Rhine cruise. And, I have no doubt that your trip to Africa will be sensational. It is great hearing from you!
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Likewise. I’m looking forward to your adventures and seeing what you think! Thanks for checking in.
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Locking forward to of your travels this year and beyond.
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Thank you!
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