Kathy Robinson

Ocean Cruise Travel Agent Specialist

Are you tired of unpacking traveling from city to city by car?  Well, ocean cruising is your answer to unpacking once for 7-14 days and being escorted from Barcelona to Monte Carlo to Florence to Rome to Santorini to Athens by a luxurious ocean ship.  Atlas Ocean Voyage, Regent Seven Seas, Celebrity, Oceania, Azamara, Viking can all take you there!  Here are just some of my personal favorites:

Celebrity - Medium-size with Aqua Class being my preferred cabin - giving you the fabulous Blu Restaurant exclusive to Aqua class passengers.

Atlas Ocean Voyages - small ship experience where service and amenities are very personalized just for you.

Regent Seven Seas - if you want luxury and caviar and lobster, this is the cruise for you!

Oceania - known for their outstanding cuisine and great ports of call.

Viking - the ship for adventure and the culture of the countries visited.

Whether you prefer large, medium or small, call or email me today and let's talk about how we can plan your Bucket List ocean cruise adventure!

River Cruise Travel Agent Specialist

River cruising is a relaxed way to see the world.  Small low ships, sometimes called 'longboats' to glide under the bridges of Europe or the narrow rivers of Egypt and Southeast Asia.  I have taken an AmaWaterways cruise from Vietnam through Cambodia and Thailand.  Ama does an excellent job of giving you land and water views of the countries.  HaLong Bay, about an hours' drive from Hanoi is an experience you don't want to miss - especially spending a night on a 'junk'.  Don't let the work fool you - it's a luxury wooden ship that weaves in and out of the peaks of the bay.  An exciting land destination if Angkor Wat - not to be missed in Siem Reap.

I have also taken a Viking cruise on the Rhone River from Avignon to Lyon and a Volga River cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow.  Viking does an excellent job of stopping at little villages along the riverbank.  No need for bus excursions - your boat will stop and you will just walk off and tour which is the nice thing about river cruising.

Whether it's your first time on the river or you've been before, call or email and we can start talking about how you can enjoy river cruising.

Provence Travel Agent Professional

You may have been to Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux but have you ever thought about the countryside of France?  Provence, one of my favorite parts of France, is waiting for you!  You can rent an apartment in the historic walled city of Avignon and enjoy all the little shops and fabulous restaurants right outside your door. Or travel to the countryside to Les Baux-de-Provence, a charming hilltop town.  Make sure you get tickets to Carrieres des Lumieres, an unforgettable display of art.  Or make it a Sunday drive about a 45-minute drive from Avignon to the Sunday market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgues along the river.  Make a reservation at the Michelin restaurant for lunch!  Take one day to travel to Aix-en-Provence to their Saturday Farmer's Market for an unforgettable sight.  But there's plenty to do in and around Avignon, like a hike around the Pont du Gard, a visit to Chateauneuf de Pape winery and the historical Palais de Papes (Palace of the Popes).

I can help you plan your stay a give you a self-guided tour of this perfect region in the South of France.

Italy Travel Agent Specialist

Ciao!  Italy my favorite European county - I have visited many more times than I can count!  The people, the food, the wine and the culture are all why you want to go to this special country.  Rome, the Eternal City, where history and religion come together.  Visit the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Trastevere section of Rome are a must see.  Your Eurail pass on Trenitalia will take you to Florence in a couple of hours.  Here in the Renaissance city you will tour the Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio and the Medici Palace.  If you are a wine lover, don't miss out on a day trip to Tuscany and the wineries along the way.  Also don't miss the hilltop towns of San Ginamno and Orvieto. Next is a visit to Venice where a gondola ride down the Grand Canal and a visit to the glass-blowing island of Murano is a must do.  Maybe on your second visit, you stay on the Amalfi Coast where you have views that you won't see anywhere else.

Whether you have or two weeks, I can plan an unforgettable vacation for you - Arrivederci!

Iceland Travel Agent Specialist

If you want a very unique, out of this world experience, book a cruise around Iceland.  I traveled on Viking starting in New York to Reykjavik, the capital.  I visited Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the most Eastern part of Canada.  Venturing to Greenland with just 2 stops, we sailed around the island of Iceland.  The beauty of the Northern part is the slow pace of life as the towns are small with few residents.  Getting off the ship in Reykjavik, I was able to spend 3 days traveling the city with its fine restaurants, shopping and its healing waters of the Blue Lagoon and its newest the Sky Lagoon.  Make sure you save time for a day trip around the Golden Circle where you will see beautiful waterfalls, hike through where the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates meet or tour the Ice Caves and go for a hike on the Solheimajokull Glacier.  The landscape of the Golden Circle tour is something like Mars!

Give me a call or send me an email and I will help you book this Bucket List adventure with my personal experience.

Sicily Travel Agent Specialist

I have been to Sicily recently and traveled on an Atlas Ocean Voyage cruise on their Navigator ship.  It was like having our very own private yacht with only 196 passengers.  We boarded in Valletta, Malta and sailed to Eastern and Northern Sicily.  Beautiful hilltop town of Taormina (think White Lotus), Palermo, the capital of the country, to Mt. Etna with its flowing black lava down to the town of Catania.  We stopped at the largest of three islands, Lipari, nestled between Sicily and Italy in the Mediterrean.  Lipari is known for their great Sicilian wineries like Tenuta.  The highlight of touring Sicily is my hike up Mt. Etna but not if its erupting!

I would highly recommend Atlas Ocean Voyages.  Their service is excellent where everyone knows your name, to their attention to detail for their excursions and their ports of call where other large ships cannot go.

Sydney Travel Agent Expert

I have had the good fortune of traveling to Australia and New Zealand twice.  Once traveling on a independent trip by car to both North and South Island New Zealand.  Auckland has to be one of my favorite world cities - easy walking city with great restaurants and a great ferry service to many islands nearby, including Waiheke Island well known for its wineries and those great New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs!  My first time to Australia was pretty much in the Sydney and all there is to see in this great city but also visitng the Blue Mountains about an hour outside.  But the highlight of that first visit was to fly up to Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest and a trip to Hayman Island and a seaplane snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef - definitely a bucket list check-off!

The second time to these two countries was a Celebrity Cruise from Sydney to Auckland.     I got to check off two of my Bucket List items - climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge and being in Sydney to usher in the new year on New Years Eve - what a spectacular display of fireworks!!

Celebrity is a great cruiseline and I would suggest booking Aqua Class for its amenities such as the Blu Restuarant only for Aqua Class passgengers.  Our itinerary took us to Melbourne, Hobart Tasmania, across the Southern Ocean, to the Fjords of Milford Sound New Zealand, up the East Coast to Wellington to the Bay of Islands and finally to Auckland.

Cruising is a great way to see both of these countries.  Some of the cruiselines sailing are Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Oceania, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and Viking.  Call or email me and we can discuss what cruise line fits your likes, budget and desired ports.

Cambodia Travel Agent Specialist

Good Morning Cambodia! 

Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. It is best known for Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 12th century by the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat and the surrounding temple complex in Siem Reap attract millions of visitors every year.Beyond Angkor Wat, Cambodia offers a diverse range of attractions. Phnom Penh, the capital city, blends French colonial architecture with bustling markets and important historical sites like the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which offers a sobering look into the Khmer Rouge era.For beach lovers, Sihanoukville and the nearby islands, such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, boast white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, making them ideal for relaxation and water activities.Nature enthusiasts can explore Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, or venture into the Cardamom Mountains, home to lush rainforests and diverse wildlife.Cambodia's cuisine is another highlight, with dishes like amok (a coconut fish curry), kuy teav (noodle soup), and lok lak (stir-fried beef) offering a taste of the country’s culinary traditions.Despite its tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime, Cambodia has emerged as a vibrant and welcoming destination with resilient people, stunning landscapes, and a deep cultural heritage. It is a must-visit for those looking to experience a mix of history, adventure, and tropical beauty.

AmaWaterways can take you there on a land and Mekong River cruise.  Several years ago I traveled to Southeast Asia on AMA starting in Hanoi and Halong Bay.  We then traveled to Siem Reap Cambodia and visited the ancient Hindu temple of Angkor Wat.  Venturing down to Phnom Penh we boarded our river boat and sailed for 7 days down the Mekong visiting floating markets, Buddhist temples and rice paddy fields.  Our last stop was Ho Chi Minh City which surprisingly similar to the bright lights and congestion of New York City.

If you've never been to Southeast Asia, I would highly recommend cruising down the Mekong with AMA.  Let's plan this trip for you!

Chile Travel Agent Specialist

South America home to glaciers and fjords, world-renown wineries of Mendoza and Chile, the Pampas of Argentina, and Torres del Paine National Park in Chile part of the beautiful Patagonia region.  I had the good fortune a few years back to travel to this fascinating part of the world.

Nothing says 'Carnival' than Rio de Janeiro - with its Samba dancers, parades and festivals.  The city and the beaches come alive during that time.  I traveled to Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America", with a visit to Iguazu Falls that rivals Victoria Falls in Africa.

I did an overland adventure in the Patagonia region of Argentina riding horses on the Pampas with the gauchos, hiking Perito Moreno glacier in El Calafate - a truly experience of a lifetime!  Then on to Chile and Paine del Torres National Park where hiking was a challenge fighting with the wind but then relaxing at the 5* Explora Hotel in Torres del Paine.

Finally, a stop in Santiago, Chile wineries tasting some of the best Chilean wines!

When talking to me about the Patagonia region of South America, make sure you ask me about my experience in Peru and Machu Pichu!

Bhutan Travel Agent Specialist

Bhutan, set at the base of the Himalayas, is a tiny Kingdom where the mantra of the country is "Gross National Happiness".  The people always have a smile on their faces!  I went there when there were only 14,000 visitors/tourists allowed into the country with a guide a year.  Paro is the city you arrive on the national airline, Druk, from Bangkok on one of the world's most dangerous airports only because of the short runway and the close proximity to the mountains of the Himalayas.  But all is good with the skill of the native pilots.  You can start your journey in the city of  Thimphu, the capital.  There are many Monasteries throughout the country.  The most famous of which is Tiger's Nest, situated on a mountainside.  Or if you wanted to stay on the ground there are numerous, beautiful monasteries throughout.  The monks enter the monasteries at a very young age and are very friendly and interested in Westerners.  We traveled as far East in the country from Thimphu to Trongsa where wildlife is plenty.  The national sport is Archery with tournaments held throughout the country.  We went during one of their Festival times.  Very interesting with their performances of the dances and the drums in their native dress.  The country is primitive outside of the big cities, with dirt roads in the small villages, hotels with potbelly stoves and horsehair mattresses.  But there is some luxury in resort hotels with spas and even an Aman Resort out in the middle of nowhere!

If you want a Bucket List trip, I would highly suggest Bhutan. Not necessarily known for its food and wine, but known for the happiness of its people who live there and their religious culture of all the monks that serve their country.

China Travel Agent Specialist

I've been lucky enough to visit the Great Wall of China twice, and on my second trip, I even made a cell phone call to the  U.S. from its ancient expanse – a truly memorable moment!  Shanghai holds a special place in my heart as my favorite city.  It perfectly blends a modern, New York City-like atmosphere with the elegant preservation of its rich, old-world Chinese heritage.Then there's Beijing, a city steeped in history, home to iconic landmarks such as the expansive Tiananmen Square, the majestic Forbidden City, and the solemn tomb of Mao Tse Tung, where Communist guards stand silently.  And, of course, the food in China is an adventure in itself. From universally loved dumplings and Dim Sum to an incredible variety of traditional and unique regional cuisines, every meal is an experience to savor.      

If you would like an adventure of a lifetime, email or call me to help you plan this Bucket List trip!

New Zealand Travel Agent Specialist

My journey to New Zealand - From the moment we landed in Auckland, the adventure began, starting with the small challenge of driving on the opposite side of the road. This ritual quickly became second nature, immersing us in the stunning landscapes and setting the tone for the rest of our trip.Our first stop was a celebrated wine region, where I enjoyed a glass of legendary New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc while gazing over sun-drenched vineyards. This was followed by a visit to the luxurious Huka Lodge near Lake Taupo, a five-star retreat surrounded by the gentle whispers of the Waikato River. The highlight was a private fly-fishing excursion. After catching a rainbow trout, the on-board chef prepared it for a delicious lunch, a moment that underscored the country’s exceptional hospitality.From the North Island, we flew south to Christchurch, a city with a distinctive European flair that served as our gateway to the South Island. Our final flight took us to Queenstown, a city that truly lives up to its reputation as the “jewel” of the South Island. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is framed by the majestic Remarkables, a mountain range whose peaks, dusted with snow even in the height of summer, created a stunning visual contrast.One of the trip's highlights was an excursion to Milford Sound. The journey there was an adventure in itself, winding through valleys and past countless sheep grazing on impossibly steep hillsides. A boat cruise through the majestic fjords, with their sheer cliffs and thundering waterfalls, created a humbling and surreal atmosphere. For an adrenaline rush, nothing compared to the Shotover River Jet boat ride in Queenstown. This high-speed sprint through narrow canyons, with the boat skimming inches from rock walls and performing lightning-fast 360-degree spins, was an unforgettable thrill.Our week-long journey felt far too short. It was a whirlwind of breathtaking landscapes, thrilling adventures, and quiet reflection. As we left, I was filled with a mix of gratitude for the memories and a strong desire to return. My time in New Zealand created a new standard for all future travels, a benchmark of adventure, beauty, and profound connection to the world.

Canada Travel Agent Expert

For those living in the southern & hot U.S. dreaming of vibrant autumn scenery, a mid-October cruise from Boston to Montreal offers a breathtaking journey through nature's fall masterpiece. I recently embarked on such a voyage aboard Regent's Mariner, exploring the maritime charm of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland, before being captivated by the distinct European flair of Quebec and Montreal.In Quebec and Montreal, you'll feel as though you've stepped into France, with their enchanting atmosphere, delectable cuisine, and French-speaking locals.If you appreciate the refined experience of upscale, smaller ship cruising, Regent is an exceptional choice. Their commitment to outstanding service, gourmet dining, and luxurious accommodations truly sets them apart.