Travel News for Spring

Spring is in full bloom in the Northwest. Blue skies, tulips popping up, and wild daffodils sprouting everywhere. It feels good!

I decided to write a short “newsy” letter to all of you, catching you up and keeping you in the loop. I don’t know about you, but social media can be exhausting and frustrating, and I never seem to see what I am looking for. Frankly, I am too busy to go searching, but I would love to learn about new things from inside my inbox and not have them disappear (like an Instagram Story) in 24 hours! So here we go!

Travel in a nutshell

Our travel season has already begun with several fun long weekends! However, 2024 is more spread out (at least at the beginning of the year!) I am trying to avoid overloading every month with multiple trips. Last year almost killed me! However, once June rolls in, we are off and traveling to some pretty spectacular places! I can’t wait to share it with you!

In January, we visited Nashville and saw Elvis Costello at the Ryman—AMAZING. We also enjoyed some great dinners, but not much sightseeing…the weather was quite cold. We continue to visit one of our favorite local weekend retreats – Whidbey Island! We love Whidbey so much that I have truly embraced my travel connections. I recently interviewed Aurora Echo, an impressive powerhouse of a woman who created Wildly Beloved Foods, where she makes pasta using only organic ingredients and Italian flour. Listen===> HERE

At the tail end of the Nashville trip, we went to Pasadena to visit family! Always a treat! As spring approached we then headed for warmer temperatures in Arizona. Our road trip to Arizona was so fantastic that I decided to create a special podcast episode so I could share this incredible itinerary! The trip included a Dodger home game and Spring Training, new restaurants, a new hotel, and we finished with three days in Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Absolutely epic.

That episode comes out on Friday, April 12th, and you can find the Episode Summary here!

What I am loving!

I continue to read a great number of books each month and just finished this charming and thoughtful travel memoir by Angela Correll. The book is called Restored in Tuscany. Her story of loss and personal renewal, coupled with a renovation in Tuscany, checks all of my interest boxes~ Her book is so compelling I asked her to come on Travel Connections and talk about the book.

Did you know that I have an online photography store? You can purchase prints, create notecards, notebooks, iPhone cases, and many other things with my images. Come check it out at the Fine Art America link below.

Restored in Tuscany by Angela Correll – My Amazon Store
Tulip Photography/Mother’s Day Ideas – Fine Art America

Easter

Decorating for Easter was so much fun this year. Our twin grandchildren are at the perfect age to enjoy every single detail. This year, Craig bought enormous rainbow-colored eggs to hide little toys and stickers inside. The weather was spectacular, and we all had a blast.

What’s up next

A Trip Back to Skagit Valley, WA

I try to visit Skagit Valley for the tulip festival every April and I wonder if you have been as well? Also, we will be traveling to Newport Beach, California, for some baby and birthday celebrations with old friends. I am looking forward to some great weather and happy merrymaking!

My first trip to Alaska!

Can I get a woo-hoo for this? It will be state #44 and my very first ocean cruise. We are traveling on Celebrity Edge, where the interiors were designed by Nate Berkus. My friends Ann and Steve Teget from Postcard Jar organized the group and guess who is coming with me? My grown-up daughter Alex! Her fantastic husband is taking care of the twins for the week and she and I will be staying on the Spa level of the ship and have planned many excursions to enjoy together. This is what the cruise looks like ===> Here!

More details about the cruise in the next newsy letter!

Between my podcast, travel, family news, and adventures, there is a lot happening! If you have questions or want more details about a trip or information I shared, just let me know in the comments or email me at suzannestavert@me.com

Suzanne

The post Spring Travel News, Favorite Bits & Bites appeared first on Adventures of Empty Nesters.

Do you like to travel at the holidays ?

About three years ago, I sent out a request for all of you to share your favorite holiday destination. This collaborative post was super fun to do and I thoroughly enjoyed reading where YOU like to go!

I think it is about time we did this again!

What I am looking for:

• The name of the city you traveled to and two or three sentences describing why you enjoyed it there.
•  A photo of the city (with you in the photo if possible)
• A caption for the photo
• If you have a blog, please also include the name and URL

Don’t sweat the details, just email me the info and attach the photo and you will be included! Please send to me by 11/21/18.

Email: suzannestavert@me.com

I do like to travel at the holidays. I find it extra exciting and can absolutely feel a difference traveling in November and December vs. any other time of year.  I have a few tips that may help:

1. Be organized. Have all of your travel documents together.
2. Check in to your flight the day before.
3. If you are checking bags make sure you understand how to use the kiosks that are now at most airports.
4. Make sure you have luggage tags Check out ours here ==> AdventuresinTravel
5. Give yourself plenty of time for check in and security lines.
6. There are many first time fliers and travelers who rarely travel. This can frustrate the frequent traveler. Be kind.
7. Packing: Finish packing the night before. Do not leave anything until the morning of your flight. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you want to have complete focus to fix it.
8. Have your electronics charged and stowed in your carry on.
9. Do you have your ride to the airport decided? Give yourself plenty of time.
10. Have fun! Enjoy the lights, decorations and maybe get a Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Want to receive these posts via email? Leave your email in the space to the right. I promise to keep it safe.

Let’s Connect!

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The post Do you like to travel at the holidays? Come share your story. appeared first on Adventures of Empty Nesters.

Our guide to Budapest

So you are going to Europe and contemplating a stop in Budapest? Do not even hesitate, we found it to be elegant and intriguing, filled with magnificent architecture and plenty to do. I wish we had spent even more time there! We honestly did not get to see everything we wanted to or even experience the famous baths.

Although we were not able to see absolutely everything, we really did accomplish quite a bit of the itinerary. Our stay at The Ritz Carlton Hotel on Elizabeth Square was a fantastic luxury experience in the perfect central location. This convenient home base made it super easy to see the sights efficiently.

The Great Market Hall

OH the market! One of my very favorite stops on the Budapest tour. The Great Market Hall is absolutely HUGE. Built in the neo-gothic style, this massive space catered to thousands of visitors. During the summer it was extremely crowded, but I was still thrilled to be there. The ground floor held the large meat counters and gorgeous produce stands. The market is the spot where many locals do their weekly shopping as well as entertain the crowds of tourists. The upper floors were filled with stalls offering hand made items, souvenirs and many delicious food places where you could choose authentic Hungarian dishes and sweets. LOVED IT!

St Stephen’s Basilica

Completed in 1901, it is the largest church in Budapest and can seat 8,500 people. When the sunlight streams in through the stained glass windows the beauty of the church makes you stop where you are and look up. You can actually go up inside the dome to see amazing views of the city. We spent quite a bit of time inside just appreciating this glorious sacred structure. In addition, the church offers very popular concerts featuring the work of prestigious composers including Bach, Beethoven, Schubert and Vivaldi.

Chain Bridge

I keep thinking… “This is my favorite, no, this is my favorite, no, this is my favorite.” I have many favorites in Budapest. The city offers so many captivating buildings with so much history. I truly enjoyed everything! Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that connected the Buda and the Pest sides for the first time. There is a crazy story that the bridge architect was extremely proud of the structure and defied anyone to criticize it. Someone pointed out that the famous lions at each bridgehead had no tongues. Legend says that he was so upset that he threw himself in the river. Evidently this never happened but it is a fantastic story that is shared on every tourist bus!

Parliament Building & Boat Tour on the Danube

No this is my real favorite! We took a boat tour down the Danube which is an absolute MUST! To see the city from the water gives you an entirely new perspective. If you ask anyone what you should see in Budapest, they will always say that you must see the Parliament Building. However the building is so enormous it would be impossible to miss it!

According to Visit Budapest Travel it is the third largest parliament building in the world. Our busy touring schedule did not allow enough time to go inside the building, but just the views from the water were mind-blowing. As an architecture enthusiast, I must have taken fifty photos from many different angles!

Heroe’s Square

This enormous and grand square is dedicated to the heroes who lost their lives fighting for the country’s independence. It is conveniently located at the end of Andrassy Avenue, adjacent to the City Park and The Museum of Fine Arts.

Andrassy Avenue

This beautiful walking street lined with impressive neo-classic style buildings, mansions and palaces was created for the bankers, aristocrats and noble families. In addition to the stunning architecture, today you will find elegant and expensive shopping as well as popular cafes and chic restaurants. It is referred to as the Champs-Élysées of the east and I can see why.

New York Café

Even if the cafe was filled with tourists, it was totally worth our time. The New York Café website explains “At the turn of the 20th century the New York Café (New York Kávéház) was the most beautiful and the most beloved coffee house in Budapest. It was a popular place among writers and editors, in fact, the most influential newspapers were edited here, upstairs in the gallery.”

We can attest to the opulence and grandeur of the interior as we ate sweet treats while listening to live chamber music. A magical moment indeed!

Views from Castle Hill

Honestly, this was my absolute favorite. Like an oil painting the views of the city below caused you to blink and think, Is this real? The pastel colored views of the Danube and famous bridges of Budapest are unlike any city I have seen. We took photos and selfies galore and could not believe our luck in visiting on such a gloriously clear and sunny day.

Take the Big Bus

Tam and I found that by taking the easy to maneuver “Big Bus” Tour Bus around the city, we were able to really get a feel for where everything was located and it enabled us to get from place to place easily. We purchased a three day ticket and we used it every day. In addition to taking you to each site around the city, there is an audio tour as well which gives you a little bit of history.

This Empty Nester’s Guide to Budapest will give you a strong base for creating an itinerary. These are all must do’s and must see’s. We did not get a chance to visit the famous Gellert Baths, the Ruin Bars or the Dóhany Street Synagogue. I will add them the next time I visit!

One more post on Budapest – Our Luxurious Stay at The Ritz Carlton

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Make sure you click over to the Home Page to see what else is happening on the blog – At the top of the home page you will find The Empty Nest, Restaurants & Food, Travel, Work with Me, Press and Contact. We have lots to offer here on AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com

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Who knew that a tour food in Berlin would be part of my Viking River Cruise? Bonus! In my opinion, food touring is the perfect companion to every city tour. What better way to understand the city culture than to taste the food that locals love to eat!

This tour was an extra excursion (for a small fee) that I took with a few of my new cruising friends. As it turned out, it was more of a visit neighborhoods/local food tasting /insider’s tour. Lucky us. In addition to tasting delicious local food we learned about unique art and culture that would never be found on a typical city tour of Berlin.

Berlin’s Museum Island was our first stop after riding the city bus. We took public transportation throughout the tour and I was thrilled. How fun to become part of a city even if for only one afternoon. It is was nice to travel in a small group of food lovers and share this experience with them as well!

Hackescher Market – A must see!

Adjacent to Hackescher Markt is probably the coolest place in town. Hackesche Höfe is a courtyard complex that has been renovated from old apartment buildings. This beautiful multi-use structure was a favorite of mine because the architects cleverly renovated this trail of commercial buildings to create a walking mall with a super cool aesthetic, adorable shops and places to sit and have a coffee or a meal. What a highlight for me!

Hackesche Höfe

More of our food tour in Berlin

This neighborhood reminded me a lot of Soho in New York mixed with Laguna Beach, California. An artsy, fashion forward place where graffiti is exterior design, the people are hip and creativity is king (or queen)!

Beer and Pretzels

Fun fact – I love pretzels! Germany is a pretzel mecca! Street vendors, restaurants, bakeries, bars, snack shops and markets all carry them.

With a view of the river and Museum Island, we enjoyed this pretty famous restaurant called Ampelmann. Sitting under a red umbrella caused every photo to be incredibly red! My photo of my delicious potato soup was particularly unattractive, so you get to see the beer photo!

Travel tip:

• Find a food tour – Even if you are not an adventurous eater, these tours bring you inside a city the way nothing else can.
• Take a bite! Sample everything you are offered. You may never get the chance again. Make a memory!
• Use public transportation to see the city up close.
• Ask a server in a local restaurant where they love to eat or have coffee.
• Ask about a local bookstore.

The Monkey Bar

That name had to grab your attention. The Monkey Bar on the 10^th floor of the 25hours Hotel offers breathtaking views of the city and the zoo. It is also part of “Bikini Berlin”(yes that is the real name) which is a shopping mall. The Berlin Zoo is adjacent to this building so you can sip coffee or an adult beverage in the bar and watch the animals. Near that large rock sat many white baboons. I kid you not.

Our hotel was pretty close to this mall, so I had heard from several other travelers about the Monkey Bar. Although not part of the foodie tour we stopped in.

Have you taken any food tours? If so, why? If not, why not?

Click here for more of ===> My Viking Cruise

Check out some of the other food tours we have enjoyed around the world!

Laguna Beach – Savor Laguna Food Tour

Amsterdam A Bicycle Food Tour

San Francisco –  A Walking Tour of North Beach and Chinatown, A Walking Food Tour In The Mission District

Chicago – A Walking Food Tour in Chicago

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Make sure you click over to the Home Page to see what else is happening on the blog – At the top of the home page you will find The Empty Nest, Restaurants & Food, Travel, Work with Me, Press and Contact. We have lots to offer here on AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com

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So you want to take a Viking River Cruise ?

Like me, haven’t you always wondered what it was really like to take a Viking River Cruise? I have always been curious and actually never been on any kind of cruise. You may find that surprising, but it has never really been at the top of our travel adventure list. But that list has been re-written!

Recently, I was presented with the opportunity to travel with Viking River Cruises on the Elegant Elbe River Cruise that begins in Berlin, Germany and ends in Prague, Czech Republic. My friend and fellow travel writer Tam Minton of Travels with Tam, took this first (for both of us) river cruise with me as well.

Side note: On the first evening of the cruise, the Cruise Director, the fantastic Benne Bennison, asked for a show of hands who had been on a Viking Cruise before. Every single hand went up except Tam’s and mine. How is that for validation! They keep on coming back for more! 

The Ship

Honestly I had no idea what to expect when I stepped foot on the ship.  Happily, every guest was met with welcoming smiles, icy cold wash cloths, (because it was ninety degrees) friendly staff members and we couldn’t wait for our cruise adventure to begin!

Our room was larger than I expected, perfectly appointed with everything we would need which included all of the important USB ports, luxurious bath products, a darling balcony and a gorgeous view of the Elbe. I was impressed by the quality of the fabrics and a comfy bed was a plus! The stateroom was certainly smaller than a hotel room, but I expected that. Viking does a great job utilizing the space with extra drawers and areas that could be dual purpose. Like a desk that doubles as a makeup table!

But, because of the lack of rainfall, the river was too low to sail. I guess Mother Nature had other plans! How can you take a river cruise if you don’t actually cruise? Viking literally thought of everything. We moved via luxury bus between two identical ships with two separate incredible crews and everything was seamless. We were still able to experience living on the ship, with all of the fancy amenities and dine on world-class cuisine. Every single luxury was still in place we just didn’t leave the dock. Surprisingly, I didn’t miss a thing!

The Lounge

Afternoon Tea in the Lounge

My favorite area of the ship was the airy and stylish lounge. Here, to take a non-touring respite, you could kickback, have a cocktail, meet with friends, chill out to live piano music, sip afternoon tea or drink a quiet cup of coffee. I snuck off to sit here whenever we had a spare moment!

We were surprised with gorgeous scones, jam, chocolate cake, berry cake and cookies as part of the German Afternoon Tea. You don’t have to ask me twice! I sat with the view of the river, calming music and a few of my new cruise friends. Absolute heaven.

The Itinerary

Where can you tour, learn and immerse yourself in local culture more easily than on a Viking River Cruise? Every detail was handled smoothly, every expert guide painted history so vividly, we were spellbound. I learned more on this cruise about WWII than I ever learned in school. Just imagine walking the streets of Berlin and to see exactly where the wall was erected and pondering the anguish of the German families that were separated for decades.

Our guide was the first East German person I had ever met. While touring she shared personal family stories and showed us old photos of the bombed and crumbling buildings. Fast forward to today where gorgeous cities like Dresden have literally risen from the ashes. The daily Viking tours were moving and educational as well as captivating and inspiring.

We walked through the streets of Wittenberg where Martin Luther lived and taught. Toured Meissen, a charming German town where we toured a porcelain factory. Our stroll through Pottsdam was a delight and it was market day as well! Lucky us!

I adored Dresden and was thrilled to see this historic city that has once again become one of the cultural, educational and political centers of Germany and Europe. Last but not least was our visit to the quaint and historic medieval city of Prague. Hill top castles, historic cathedrals and the most vibrant Old Market Square were just some of the special sights of this extremely popular Eastern European city.

The Charles Bridge, although unbelievably crowded mid-day, looked like something you would see on the backlot of Universal Studios. So charming, it is the second oldest bridge in Prague and one of the most recognizable in Eastern Europe. Prague is a fairytale city with cobblestone streets, vibrant tourist attractions and the views of the river were astonishing. I must have taken a hundred photos of the river from every angle possible.

What I loved the most

This is a tough one as I have many favorites. What first comes to mind is how Viking offers a behind-the-scenes type of itinerary as well as the expected tourist bonanzas. While in the Czech Republic we traveled to a tiny little town of three hundred people where a local company performed authentic folk dancing while we toasted with their traditional liquor and dined on local dishes. The access to personal and immersive travel itineraries is such a welcome gift!

The People

OH, the people you will meet! Come aboard the enormous pristine ship where the Captain and crew could not be more accommodating. Tam and I took a tour of the spotless, stainless steel kitchen, met with the friendly chefs, perused the impressive navigation equipment and walked down below to the immaculate engine room. We were blown away by how clean it was and we half expected to have lunch there it was so clean!

In addition to a top-notch crew, we met wonderful new friends.  A Viking River Cruise has something that will please every generation. Surprised? Don’t be. We found every person we met to be well-traveled, engaging and always interested in what we had to say.

Like a magnet, we were drawn to a small group of about ten people that we palled around with and met for dinner each evening. We got to know our friends from Sydney, Steven and Jan, as well as Guy and Diane from New York. Guy even put together a website for all of us to share photos.

Successful multigenerational travel can be found here! Who knew that a sixteen year old young man named Aidan and his grandma, Linda would have such a fabulous adventure together? Additionally Jeff and his captivating 25-year-old daughter Meghan, had a blast hanging out with all ages on the ship. I specifically asked both of the traveling young people if they were having a great time and if they felt out of place. Both enthusiastically shared how much they were enjoying their time with family as well as the entire river cruise experience.

One of the best advantages of this size ship was that it was large enough to give you privacy but small enough to feel friendly and comfortable. There was plenty of space for solitude and more than enough lovely places to meet up with friends and have a great conversation.

I give my first experience on a Viking River Cruise an A+, but I was particularly impressed by the incredible service and the FOOD! As you know, I am particular about my dining experiences and everything was so fresh, locally sourced and the menus were fantastic. The chefs were so accommodating and offered to make us anything we wanted for breakfast even in addition to the extraordinary buffet. Of course I asked for my favorite Eggs Benedict and it might be best the I have ever eaten. Truly.

What comes next!

In future posts I will dive deeper into the spectacular scenery and exquisite excursions. Truthfully I have only just scratched the surface of all the amazing cities and tours we enjoyed. Our Viking River Cruise on the Elbe was stacked with experiences that will impress and delight you. If you are even remotely contemplating a Viking River Cruise, do it! I easily and emphatically recommend this unique travel experience. This river cruising newby is already planning how to get my husband to join me again next year!

Have you been on a Viking River Cruise? Are you thinking about it?

To read about Tam’s experience, click HERE

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Hey Readers! ~

Make sure you click over to the Home Page to see what else is happening on the blog – At the top of the home page you will find The Empty Nest, Restaurants & Food, Travel, Work with Me, Press and Contact. We have lots to offer here on AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com

Are you receiving our posts via email? If not, sign up over on the right side of this page.

Let’s connect over on social media here ==>  Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, check out our photos on Instagram, or pins on Pinterest

The post What is it like to take a Viking River Cruise? Truthfully, it is impressive! appeared first on Adventures of Empty Nesters.

I am back from the BIG Summer Travel Adventure – It was…absolutely AMAZING!

Miss me? I’ve just returned from twenty-nine adventure-filled days in Europe. Here’s how it went!

• I traveled to six countries – Italy, Spain, England, Germany, Czech Republic and Hungary
• Eight total flights: Los Angeles to London to Rome, Florence to Barcelona to Palma to Berlin, Prague to Budapest to London to Washington DC to Los Angeles
• 2 trains
• 2 Viking ships
• Many kilometers by Viking Coach
• Two rental cars
• Multiple cabs
• Several subway rides
• Miles walked? Who knows!  A lot!

For those of you doing the math… Craig and I traveled together for fourteen days and then I went on a Viking River Cruise with my travel writer partner Tam Minton, of Travels with Tam. What a month!

I am glad to be home but brimming with fantastic stories and endless photos to share. Trying organize it all will be challenging and I have been in a bit of a quandry… Where to begin? Logic tells you that to begin at the beginning would be an excellent place to start!

Start at the beginning ~

This is the plan, but don’t be surprised if I get a bit side tracked here and there. My hope is that by sharing my travel with you it will assist in planning your next trip to Europe, provide lots of brand new information, enthusiasm for taking a Viking River Cruise as well as contemplate a multi-generational trip with your family. Tomorrow, I will begin with The Palio, the centuries old horserace that takes place in Siena, Italy. And truthfully, one of the most remarkable and memorable experiences of my life. It is so unlike anything we have ever witnessed that it is in a category all by itself.

Please come back here to the blog often, because I have a truckload of photos and insights to share.

I hope your summer is going well and I look forward to hearing about what you have been doing too!

Check back here tomorrow! Ciao for now!

Suzanne

To learn more about The Palio, check out this post:

Adventures in Italy ~ Our Big Summer Trip to See The Palio in Siena

Readers Please Note ~

Make sure you click over to the Home Page to see what else is happening on the blog – At the top of the home page you will find The Empty Nest, Restaurants & Food, Travel, Work with Me, Press and Contact. We have lots to offer here on AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com

Are you receiving our posts via email? If not, sign up over on the right side of this page.

Let’s connect over on social media here ==>  Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, check out our photos on Instagram, or pins on Pinterest

All photos are property of Adventures of Empty Nesters.

The post I’m Back From The BIG Summer Travel Adventure It was…absolutely AMAZING! appeared first on Adventures of Empty Nesters.

Summer Travel Update

Hey fellow adventurers! I wanted to check in to let you know that we are embarking on a BIG Summer Travel Adventure!

Craig and I will be traveling with our family to see The Palio in Siena, Italy with a quick couple of days in Rome! Next, we say goodbye to the family and fly to the gorgeous island of Majorca, Spain. We visited last summer and it was so spectacular that we just had to go back! And there’s more…

Next, I say good-bye to Craig in Spain and fly to Berlin to start the Elegant Elbe Cruise on Viking Cruises. My friend and fellow travel blogger Tam Minton of Travels with Tam, will be my travel partner for this amazing cruise. We begin in Berlin, Germany and will end the cruise in the spectacular city of Prague in the Czech Republic. But, there is one more stop! Both Tam and I just couldn’t be that close to Hungary without visiting Budapest and will be guests of The Ritz Carlton Budapest.

This is a one of a kind, ambitious travel adventure, but I am up for the challenge! I do hope you will follow along with us on our journey.

This is where you can find me!

Let’s connect over on social media here ==>  Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, check out our photos on Instagram, or pins on Pinterest

Readers Please Note ~

Make sure you click over to the Home Page to see what else is happening on the blog – At the top of the home page you will find The Empty Nest, Restaurants & Food, Travel, Work with Me, Press and Contact. We have lots to offer here on AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com

The post BIG Summer Travel – Where are we going this time? appeared first on Adventures of Empty Nesters.

This post is sponsored by Hurtigruten, but all of the opinions are my own. Adventure is the name of our game and I really want to investigate all of the possibilities! Please click on the sponsored links and photos so you can learn the details!

When the representatives for the intriguing travel company, Hurtigruten, asked me if I was interested in sharing a post introducing their company to all of you, I jumped at the chance. I spent time researching so many types of amazing trips I had a hard time narrowing my interest down to one. So I didn’t! I opted to include highlights of two complete opposite geographic destinations. I want to see the Northern Lights and travel to Antarctica.

Hurtigruten is a travel company that has been carrying passengers and goods along the coast of Norway for 120 years. They expanded their voyages to include Antarctica and Greenland in 2010. They offer adventures of the most interesting kind and if you visit the website Hurtigruten.com, you will find many different types of outdoor adventures and cruises. Consider this an initial introduction to this phenominal bucket list item and who better to do the research for you than me, the Empty Nester Adventurer!

The Northern Lights

Once in Norway, a journey from Bergen to Tromsø or from Tromsø to Bergen gives you a taste of the Arctic. Depending upon which direction you choose to sail, you will experience many of the highlights of a Classic Round Voyage including sailing through the beautiful Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, the Seven Sisters mountains and visits to fascinating towns such as Bergen, Tromsø, Ålesund and Trondheim.

Check out this video and you will see why I was excited to discover this cruise!

Look at these photos ~ they are breathtaking!

Now…from the very north at the Arctic Circle all the way south to icy Antarctica!

Although this may surprise you, I am actually super serious about visiting Antarctica as well. I have always been intrigued by the icy terrain and the remoteness of it all. Walking on the edge of the earth is intriguing, not to mention seeing penguins and whales in their natural habitat, instead of Sea World’s Penguin Encounter!

Craig and I included a trip to Antarctica to our list of possible destinations and future adventures, but to be completely honest, I had no idea where to even begin to learn how to get to the remote and frozen continent of Antarctica, nor what was required.  After reviewing these trips via the Hurtigruten website – I believe we understand the possibilities and have found what we are looking for!

I watched this video and I was hooked…

On the voyage in Antarctica we can discover the magnificent scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula and it’s abundant summer wildlife of seals, penguins and whales. Just imagine going ashore for a close-up look at penguin colonies, modern research facilities and historic sites. Additionally they offer lectures, special hikes, kayaking. And for the greatest adventurers we are even allowed the opportunity to spend the night in a tent on land.

As I pursued this quest for adventure travel I have come to realize there is whole big world of people who are out in nature, discovering the wonders of this incredible earth we inhabit. Adventure travel intrigues me and I find it very exciting to contemplate going where curious adventurers are traveling! Craig and I haven’t really experienced anything like this, but now as empty nesters, we have more time to focus on what we want to do, it’s time to plan a trip like this. They are offering substantial discounts this Winter, don’t miss taking a look!

Do you have an adventurous side to you? Have you already experienced a trip like this? We would love to hear about it!

The post True adventure: Travel to see the Northern Lights with Hurtigruten appeared first on Adventures of Empty Nesters.