by Lesli Heron Europe train travel is all about efficiency and comfort but it is also about experiences. Some of the most difficult terrain has given us the most picturesque journeys. The following are some of Europe’s best scenic train routes. Not necessarily the fastest journeys—just the most memorable! 1. Sarajevo to Mostar Traversing superb...Read More

by Barbara BroadbentA few year ago, Ian and I enjoyed a wonderful week in the Mediterranean on Windstar’s Windsurf, a 5-mast luxury yacht. We sailed from Venice down the east coast of the Adriatic, ending in Athens. Windstar’s award-winning service gives you the ability to choose, so you can enjoy what you like, when you...Read More

We’ve all had moments while travelling where we’ve hit a bumpy road, been taken advantage of, not planned for, or just been perhaps a bit naive. Here are a selection of our travel lessons learned the hard way…hopefully they can save you from making our same mistakes! Barbara: Pack a change of clothes in your...Read More

by Bruce and Wendy Fougner This past April at the Lloyds Travel Open House we featured a prize draw and gave away two tickets to Hawaii. Martin and Esther Kafer were our winners and they are took advantage of the tickets and traveled to the Big Island this November. Martin and Esther are both in...Read More

A quick word of advice to anyone thinking about taking bikes into Venice: don’t. After exploring Croatia by bike we rode into Venice, Italy. Dealing with our bikes was, to say the least, not a fun experience. If you’re biking through Italy and planning to stop in Venice the most affordable option is to find...Read More

Khem was just in France for a whole month. He spent five days in Paris, then rented a car and did Normandy, the Loire valley, Burgundy, Nice and the South of France, Chamonix and back to Paris for another four days. I got a chance to catch up with him and ask about his trip....Read More

If you love coffee but can’t afford to go to Italy, why not take a jaunt into Washington state and visit Seattle! What makes Seattle so special? The world famous Pike Place market, the first ever Starbucks, the underground city? With a buzzing art world, a lively waterfront and unique cultural experiences, Seattle should definitely...Read More

From Barcelona to Istanbul, tales of Mediterranean history capture our imagination while idyllic, sun drenched islands, dramatic coastlines and picturesque scenes make this one of the world’s most romantic destinations. In a recent Ensemble poll, the top three romantic spots chosen were the Greek Islands, French Riviera and Venice. Next came the island of Mallorca...Read More

Italy During the first world war, the Italian army constructed a system of metal steps, fixed cables, and ladders in the Dolomites, to enable troops to safely move around the high peaks that were the front line. Today the Via Ferrata allow walkers to take on precipitous routes without the need for climbing equipment and...Read More

If you have a limited time for your vacation, a cruise is a wonderful way to visit multiple destinations while avoiding feeling stressed out or rushed. If you love traveling and want to see Europe, a river cruise is an excellent getaway! Here are some of the top European river cruises: 1. Rhine River The...Read More