Keiry Stanton

Germany Destination Specialist

TBA Germany

Germany has something for every season of the year and every season of life.

Germany has cities, beaches, rivers, lakes and mountains.

Germany is full of history and culture, festivals and markets, castles and fairy tales.

Germany is a perfect place to travel for a romantic vacation, slow-paced leisure time, fast-paced sightseeing, and even for family friendly adventures.

Italy Travel Agent Expert

Italy is definitely worth the hype!  There is a reason it is a top European destination, and it's not just for Rome, Venice and Florence (although all of those cities are worth visiting!). 

There are things to treasure from top to bottom in this country.  There are so many amazing places to see in the north:  The magnificant Dolomite mountains full of high adventure opportunities like hiking and via-ferrata; the famous lakes such as Como, Garda lake and Lago Maggiore; the cities that Shakespeare made famous such as Verona, Padua, and Florence (although there are many more reasons why Florence is famous); High fashion and unforgettable shopping in the city of Milan, where the famous Last Supper painting and the famous Duomo cathedral are also housed; The Cinque Terre area or Liguria is a personal favorite of mine.  The food of this region is unforgettable and it is full of festivals and tradition in the summer and beautiful vistas of the Mediterranean in nearly every town.

Central Italy is where most of Tuscany lies and it is gorgeous.  You have heard of Florence and Pisa, of course where art, history and architecture are in full display.  Umbria is a lesser known region of central Italy where you can find treasures like Civita di Bagnoregio which is a small town perched on a hill surrounded by picturesque landscapes that can only be entered on foot by a long land bridge.

As you head south, you can explore the sparkling Amalfi Coast, step back in time and explore the lost cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and maybe you can explore Calabria and Sicily and their beautiful beaches and amazing cuisine.

Italy is a feast for the senses.  Its art, architecture, history, and natural beauty is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Italian cuisine has recently become protected by UNESCO and for good reason.  You have to taste regional specialties for yourself to truly know how seriously Italians take their cuisine.  You'll never look at shredded mozzarella the same way again, but may be ever pining for the perfect mozzarella di bufala.  You may want to plan your next trip around a visit to Liguria, where basil pesto originates from, to sample trofie al pesto to your heart's content while you gaze out at the sparkling Italian Riviera.  

If you love history, Italy is a place where you can learn about the old Italian Republics:  Genova in Liguria, Venice, Pisa, Amalfi and San Marino.  San Marino is the world's oldest surviving constitutional republic and it is also the world's oldest surviving sovereign state.  Like the Vatican, it is a city-state that operates independently of the rest of Italy and is absolutely worth a visit.

I could go on and on, but there is so much to see and do in Italy.  So many memories to be made.  It has absolutely changed my life and many of my perspectives and it can do the same for you.  You will want to go again and again.

Croatia Travel Agent Specialist

I have seen it again and again.  Croatia is one of those places that you will never forget.  Once you visit, you will always want to go back to have the same experiences and to explore more and have new ones.

Croatia is a destination that is growing in interest-- and for good reason. Fewer crowds, but stunning scenic locations and historical sites.  Croatia is a modern country, but has a timeless feel and authenticity about it that is really charming.

There are several great attractions to see in Croatia.  You may have heard of the bigger ones-- Dubrovnik, Croatia for starters.  Called the Pearl of the Adriatic, it is a stunning sea-side walled city that has been used a lot in film and tv for it's amazing historic preservation and dramatic location.  It has been used in films like Star Wars as well as putting itself on the map in Game of Thrones.  It is located in the region of Dalmatia.  Dalmatia also has other places that are must-sees to really appreciate the beauty, hospitality and culinary joy in the region. Some of these include Split, Šibenik, Zadar and the tiny island town of Trogir.  All of Croatia is famous for it's islands as there are literally more than 1,000 of them.  Dalmatia is famous for its islands-- particularly the islands of Hvar, Brac and Korcula.  Visitors come for the water sports and beaches of Croatia, but come back for the warmth of the Croatian people and the untouched beauty of the country.

Another well-known attraction is the Plitvice Lakes National Park.  It is a Croatian must-see.  There are also other places that are worth a visit if you like stunning waterfalls. Krka National Park is one of them and not far from Plitvice is a small village built on waterfalls called Rastoke.  A visit to Rastoke and kayaking on the Mrežnica river is pretty much a perfect day.

Other regions of Croatia are not as well known, but also worth exploring.  The inland region starting with Zagren and moving into cities like Varaždin and Karlovac bring you into the historical and religious sides of Croatia that are so enriching and fascinating.

The Istrian Peninsula is famous for its truffles and beautiful seaside towns and cities such as Pula (which also houses a full Roman Coloseum), and smaller towns such as Porec and Rovinj where you can see, taste and experience the Venetian influence of days gone by.

I haven't yet touched upon Croatia's exceptional cuisine.  Croatia is known for fresh, organic ingredients.  A visit to the Dolac open-air market in Zagreb--with it's bright, famous umbrellas, will take you to a place that still values quality foods.  Here you will find bright fruits and vegetables sold by the farmers who grew them. Fresh meats and cheeses are also sold here.  There are similar weekly markets in almost every city in Croatia, selling in the traditional way.

Restaurants hold the same high quality value that you can find in the markets and you will find they use local, fresh ingredients.  Croatian cuisine is unique, but has influences from Eastern Europe, German-style influence, as well as Italian and even Turkish influence.  The most famous foods are Cevapi (a type of sausage traditionally eaten with a flat bread, ajvar (a sauce primarily made from bell peppers), and onions; Sarma (cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice that has been slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce); and the absolute best pizza you'll ever have is from Croatia.  Don't just take my word for it though--you'll have to see for yourself!