September is a multi-talented month for travellers looking for an easy and affordable escape. Spring has officially sprung in the Southern Hemisphere, and summer lingers in other parts of the globe - making it the perfect time to take advantage of warm-weather anywhere around the world. Although an American or European escape is a tempting option for expeditionists who’d like to experience these destinations just outside of peak season, for those who may have already used all their annual leave in June here are several suggestions for shorter stays that can be tackled in 2-3 days too! Lake Constance, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, LiechtensteinSwap sunny summers on the Mediterranean Sea for still-stunning autumn days by one of the many beautiful lake regions of Europe. While there is an abundance of options, striking Lake Constance is an excellent offering for all types of travellers. Its 279 kilometres of shoreline naturally lend to a range of water sports (sailing and windsurfing are particularly popular), however, the area is also famous for its culture and history – boasting old castles, quaint medieval villages, fine-wine production and a spectacular flower island. In addition, during September the forests around Lake Constance are famous for their late-August apple harvest – when the fresh fruits tickle the tastebuds of young and old travellers alike. Sharing borders with Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein a trip to Lake Constance also offers an excellent base for those who can afford to spend a little more time exploring. Seoul, South KoreaThe heart and soul of South Korea can be found in, err Seoul. While the capital of this East Asian nation is a modern metropolis of skyscrapers, shops, and scrumptious dining options, it is interspersed with a generous smattering of national parks, traditional tea houses and temples – and September is the best month to explore them all. Travel to Seoul in autumn – when the cool weather and lack of rainfall provide perfect conditions for pounding the streets, and you’re almost guaranteed to ‘fall’ in love with its vibrant cityscape. Highlights include: Gyeongbokgung Palace (the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty); Bukchon Hanok Village and Gwangjang Food Market – where you can sample some excellent Seoul street food, including their famous bibimbap or the local version of KFC – Korean Fried Chicken. Orlando, United States of AmericaFamed for its family-friendly theme parks (more than a dozen of them) a weekend in September is one of the best times to experience ‘The City Beautiful’, sans sweaty crowds. Favourites include Walt Disney World, (highlights include the Magic Kingdom and Epcot), water parks – such as Sea World, and the movie-themed Universal Studios. Those making a longer trek Stateside may want to take advantage of their time in the area and factor in some sightseeing in nearby St Augustine. Jump in the car (or bus) and head north and in just over two hours you can be trading theme parks for traditional Colonial architecture. The historic cobblestone streets of this 16th-century coastal town feature Castillo de San Marcos fortress and the Lightner Museum (housed in an 1887 Spanish Renaissance Revival-style hotel). And temperate September is a spectacular time to wander through and appreciate them all. Lake Malawi, MalawiThe nation sometimes referred to as ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’ is home to the third-largest lake in the continent (and the ninth biggest in the world). And September is one of the best seasons to appreciate its natural beauty. With the thermometer hovering near the late 20s (degrees Celsius) and sunny days followed by pleasant evenings, visitors can spend their stay snorkelling, sailing, swimming or water skiing. As well as the world’s largest fish population, the landscapes surrounding this lake are a paradise for land-animal lovers. During September Liwonde National Park is the place to spot leopards, crocodiles, antelopes and endangered black rhinos. Or head to neighbouring Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and Kasungu National Park to catch a glimpse of buffaloes, hippos, zebras, jackals and hyenas. Malawi’s land-locked location – framed by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique – also encourage travel to the African nations that surround it. Adelaide, AustraliaIt’s never a bad time to visit Adelaide, but September is a particularly good month to plan a trip to the City of Churches. Aussies looking for a mid-school-term weekend away can easily access the capital of South Australia, with flights from most major Australian cities less than three hours long. Some of the city’s highlights include: museums such as the Art Gallery of South Australia; the Adelaide Botanic gardens; Central Market and the Mount Lofty ranges – a panoramic lookout area also popular among hikers and mountain bikers. International travellers, or those with a little more time, should consider extending their trip to include some time in the Barossa Valley. This internationally-acclaimed wine region – encompassing the towns of Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa – is a short 50-minute drive from ‘Radelaide’. And here, visitors can check out over 80 cellars, taste world-award-winning wines, meet the makers and sample some truly spectacular local produce. The highlight of the region’s annual events calendar is undoubtedly the Barossa Gourmet Weekend – this year featuring 28 events – and set to run from the 6th-8th September. Kerala, IndiaIts sheer size means that ideal times to travel to India can vary greatly depending on destination. However, Kerala (a state on the nation’s tropical Malabar Coast and Arabian Sea shoreline) is perfect for those planning a September sojourn. Known for its beaches and backwater canals, the most unmissable activity of the month is a cruise or houseboat down the picturesque backwaters of Alappuzha (Alleppey). Affectionately known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Alappuzha’s backwaters are also famed for their annual snake boat race in September when, after the heavy monsoons, the place is covered with lush greenery, countless coconut trees and the weather is practically perfect. Ready to start planning your journey?Then contact us today! We'd love to help you plan every little detail of your trip to have you start creating inredible memories as soon as possible! Special thank you to Excite Holidays for this blog post!
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It's time to book that trip you've been dreaming about all summer!It's time to book those last minute vacation ideas during Norwegian Cruise Lines Super Splash Sale! Here are some details to give you some ideas for your next vacation. But be aware that you have to book before August 14th ! Choose between the free unlimited open bar, free shore excursions, free specialty dining, free wifi, and free sailing for your friends and family. The open bar offer promises to save you up to $178 a day covering spirits, cocktails, wine, draft beer, juice and soda! If you are more adventurous, choose the shore excursion offer! With this offer you'll recieve a free $50 Shore Excursion Credit per port, per stateroom. If you're more of a foodie, the specialty dining offer could be more up your alley. You can save up to $168 a day on your cruise depending on whether you qualify for the 3 or 4 meal package. Sometimes you don't want to log off and the free wifi offer would end up being a must for you. This alone will save you $125! Finally, the friends and family sail free offer lets your your friends and family come along with you. This is for select cruises only so be sure to double check that this one fits your needs. What deal you get depends on what cabin you want. Book a Studio or inside cabin and recieve 1 offer and up to $50 to spend. If you go for an Oceanview, Balcony, or Mini-Suite you get 2 offers and up to $140 to spend. For the best deal, book The Haven and Suites to recieve all 5 offers and up to $500 to spend! And did you notice that if you book with us you get an exclusive offer for an extra perk? Now you might be wondering where you even want to go! Lucky for you, Norwegian Cruise Lines offers many locations that you can visit. Here's just a sneak peek into some of the places you could explore as soon as you hit that contact button! ![]() Photo by Garrett Parker AlaskaMore than twice the size of Texas, Alaska is the largest state in the USA, known as a land of vast natural splendour, abundant wildlife and few people. It offers unique experiences such as walking in unspoilt wilderness, spectacular cruising through the fjords of the Inside Passage, and frontier towns rich in gold rush history. Alaska's sense of undiscovered wilderness and promise of adventure is as prominent now as it was when it attracted thousands of pioneers in search of gold, fur, fishing, logging and oil. Today, this 'Last Frontier' lures travellers in search of unspoilt beauty and close encounters with nature. In fact, Alaska's three largest cities - Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage - are home to fewer than 370,000 people between them. Choose from over 20 different cruises to visit the beauty of Alaska. Get away anywhere from seven to nineteen days there's sure to be an option that fits your schedule and your budget. ![]() Photo by Philippe Wuyts Australia and New ZealandAustralia is politically divided into six states and two territories, each one offering a different experience for the traveller. There is the drama of the remote 'Outback', the colourful spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral islands, the excitement of the big, efficient cities, the sun and surf at some of the best beaches in the world, and the tropical rainforests of Western Australia. The list is endless in this diverse land of adventure, which boasts about 2,000 national parks and 14 World Heritage-listed areas, along with more than 7,000 beaches. New Zealand, 'Land of the Long White Cloud', is a small, sparsely populated country consisting of two major islands, North and South Island, and a scattering of smaller ones. Despite its small size it is crammed with magnificent natural beauty and has an incredible amount to offer; the only complaint travellers have is that they haven't allowed enough time in the country. Fresh air, breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities are the main attractions of New Zealand, with a tremendously friendly, honest and helpful population, colloquially nicknamed after their country's distinct symbol, the unusual but amiable flightless kiwi bird. Australia and New Zealand are places that seem to be on everyone's bucket list. They have everything! Beautiful landscapes, cities with great nightlife, unique animals and plants, and amazing cultures! Choose from 10 to 19 days on the Norwegian Jewel during a time when visiting these amazing places won't break your bank account. ![]() Photo By Ishan Bahamas & FloridaGraced with extensive beaches bleached white by the year-round sun and surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters filled with varied and colourful sea life, the islands of the Bahamas are a major destination for divers, sailors and sun-worshippers. Although often thought to be part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas is actually an archipelago of 700 islands with thousands of small 'cays' strung out in the ocean, starting 55 miles (89km) from Miami in the Atlantic Ocean. The Sunshine State of Florida is a vacationer's paradise 365 days a year. Its climate, pristine beaches, and theme parks are all geared towards the leisure and pleasure of the millions of vacationers who flock in from around the world. Consisting of a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of the United States, Florida's uneven coastline is indented with estuaries, bays, inlets, lagoons and rivers, creating ideal enclaves for holiday resorts. Right in the south the peninsula ends in an arc of islands resting on coral reefs, known as the Florida Keys. These islands, which together make up the southernmost part of the United States, are perfect for all water based activities, like snorkeling, kayaking, and dolphin watching. Can you believe that there are over 40 cruises available through this sale that can take you to these gorgeous beaches? We can't either. Take a quick 3-Day vacation or make it a 9 day excursion. Either way you'll be sure to have enough time to soak up the sun and revitalize yourself. ![]() Photo By Peter Burka BermudaBritain's oldest colony, Bermuda, is a land of pink, sandy beaches, clear, turquoise seas and picturesque, old colonial towns. It is hard now to imagine that sailors once knew it as Devil's Island, but the combination of shallow waters and coral reefs caused many shipwrecks in the past, which contibuted to the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, which stretches between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico. Today, however, the reefs provide a wonderful playground for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. For those of you needing to get away from it all, Bermuda is a great option. In the Atlantic Ocean away from it all, it's a great place to disconnect and recenter yourself. Take 4 days off work for that well deserved long weekend or take 10 days to become a whole new you. ![]() Photo By Suchakra Sharma Canada & New EnglandThe vast nation of Canada, second largest country in the world, offers a range of experiences for visitors that are as wide as the land itself. From its large, cosmopolitan cities to its frozen northern tundra; its snowy mountain peaks to its rugged coastlines; and its rich farmlands to its pioneering outposts, Canada offers something to suit the taste of every traveller. Canada is bound to the west by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by the polar ice cap, and to the south by the United States of America. The Eastern Shore occupies more than half of the Delmarva Peninsula shared between Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, protecting the towns along Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. Although linked to the mainland by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, life is much slower and sleepier on this side of the bay. Miles of country lanes and Chesapeake waterways await, while old wooden farmhouses and wheat fields, waterfront towns and fishing craft, lonely wind-rusted marshes and the sound of birds give the peninsula its charming character. If beaches aren't really your scene, then why not try seeing Canada and New England? Both offer gorgeous landscapes and quaint destinations. Spend up to 12 days seeing charming towns, learning the history of the area, and exploring gorgeous forests. And don't forget that fall is coming! New England in the fall is famous for being one of the most beautiful ways to welcome the season. ![]() Photo By Cédric Frixon CaribbeanFirst discovered by Columbus in 1493, the islands were known to the local Caribs as Karukera: 'the islands of beautiful waters'. French settlers arrived in the 17th century bringing with them disease - which wiped out the indigenous Caribs - and slaves to work the sugar plantations that were to be source of the islands' wealth for the next 200 years. In the 20th century Guadeloupe become an overseas department of France, enjoying French protection and economic support. The beaches are quite magnificent and remain the main draw card for the steady stream of tourists, the majority of whom are French. With 98 cruises qualifying for this sale, you'll definitely find one that will fit your needs. With so many islands to explore you'll never have a dull moment but still have ample time to relax. Spend up to 16 days away in paradise. ![]() Photo By Augustin de Montesquiou CubaCuba could portray itself as the archetypal Caribbean island paradise, with its sandy, palm-fringed shores washed by crystal-clear waters and cooled by breezes carrying the scent of frangipani, mango and guava, but Cuba has so much more to offer than generic Caribbean bliss. Those who venture away from the beaches and resorts will find charmingly dilapidated colonial architecture and grand plazas, streets filled with classic vintage automobiles, and the hip-swaying sounds of salsa music filling the night air. Cuba is about cigar smoke and rum cocktails, baseball, and everywhere visual references to the 1959 revolution which still dominates Cuban identity. The largest island in the Caribbean has a dramatic history and a very distinct culture; it is the perfect destination for those in search of something a little different on their beach holiday. Cuba is one of the Caribbean Islands, but it's worth mentioning on its own. One of our own travel agents recently visited and couldn't stop saying how special it truly was to experience. If you've been thinking about seeing this beautiful island, now is the time to see it. ![]() Photo By Mark Tegethoff EuropeThere are so many things to say about Europe. With so many destinations that have inspired the world for years, it's hard to pick one place to visit. So why not go on a cruise to get a taste of as many as possible? Whether you want to visit the Mediterranean, Italy, Scandinavia, France, or the Iberian Peninsula there's a cruise that will fit you. There are 70 options available so one of them is sure to suit you. ![]() Photo By Jakob Owens HawaiiAny 'Best Of' travel guide inevitably includes the Hawaiian Islands as the best place for sun, sand and natural attractions - the place to head for an idyllic beach holiday.Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the United States, each unique in its dimensions, shapes and hues. These sandy stretches are fronted by crystal waters teeming with tropical fish darting through forests of coral. Some of the world's best surfing and watersport opportunities are offered here and for those intent on premium sightseeing it is hard to beat the thrill of watching lava flow from the world's longest erupting volcano. The cruises available all require you to book a full week of travel, but let's be honest is that so horrible? Not at all. Time to say "Aloha" to Hawaii.
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AuthorWelome and thank you for visiting! I am a travel agent with a passion for good food, design, general craftiness...and of course TRAVEL. I treat everything in life as an adventure. Sometimes the journey is short and sweet and sometimes it's long and messy, but if we try to stay in the moment we can make most things enjoyable. -Korrine Johnson,
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Journeys Travel Company, LLC
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