May 2025
Summer is just around the corner, and I can’t believe my oldest son, Quin, will graduate from high school in less than three weeks! Time is flying by too quickly. I’m looking forward to slowing down a bit, spending more time with my family, and fitting in some fun travel along the way.
📷 © G Adventures Inc.
🌍 Bucket List Destination of the Month: Cappadocia
Nestled in the mountains of central Turkey, Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its stunning landscapes, ancient cave dwellings, and rich history. The weather is pleasantly mild in May, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, ideal for exploring the region's unique rock formations and centuries-old underground cities. Exciting activities abound, including hot air balloon rides at dawn, horseback riding, and four-wheel drive adventures past the iconic fairy chimneys.
Join a 7-day small group exploration of "Turkey: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia" with G Adventures! I'd love to help you plan the perfect, once-in-a-lifetime trip!
👣 20 Most Walkable Cities in the World
If you enjoy exploring on foot, you're in good company. According to Forbes Magazine, these 20 cities rank at the top for walkability, thanks to their compact layouts, clean air, and high safety ratings. From medieval streets to seaside promenades, these destinations encourage you to slow down and take in the sights, step by step.
🇮🇹 Florence, Italy
🇱🇻 Riga, Latvia
🇩🇪 Hamburg, Germany
🇵🇹 Porto, Portugal
🇪🇸 Madrid, Spain
🏴 Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.
🇪🇪 Tallinn, Estonia
🇸🇪 Stockholm, Sweden
🇦🇺 Sydney, Australia
🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts
🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands
🏴 Liverpool, England, U.K.
🇫🇷 Bordeaux, France
🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark
🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey
🇦🇺 Melbourne, Australia
🇨🇿 Prague, Czech Republic
🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary
🇨🇦 Vancouver, Canada
🏴 Bristol, England, U.K.
✨ Check out the “Best of Florence Walking Tour” through Viato, a small-group experience that’s the perfect way to explore one of the world’s most walkable cities on foot!
✈️ Travel Tip of the Month
🛳 25 Things to Do Before a Cruise (About 30 Days Out)
Planning ahead ensures smooth sailing! Use this checklist to stay organized and stress-free in the final month before your cruise.
Check your passport (valid for 6+ months) and any required visas for your destinations.
Verify your cruise reservation for accuracy—names, room, dining, and perks.
Print your important travel documents (cruise, hotel, insurance, excursions). Keep copies in a folder and on your phone.
Print luggage tags and use cruise-specific holders to protect them.
Print a list of your medications with dosages for emergencies or customs.
Book a pre-cruise hotel stay near the port with a shuttle and breakfast if possible.
Reserve a post-cruise hotel if you’ll need one after your sailing.
Arrange any medical equipment rentals (scooters, wheelchairs, etc.). I partner with Special Needs Group and can help arrange your rental.
Notify your bank and credit cards to avoid fraud alerts or card freezes.
Order foreign currency from your bank for better exchange rates.
Save small bills ($1s and $5s) for tips and port expenses.
Download the cruise line’s app and complete online check-in.
Set up an international phone plan or eSIM and plan to use airplane mode onboard with ship Wi-Fi.
Start a cruise packing list and add to it gradually.
Create an Amazon cruise shopping list for easy ordering of cruise must-haves.
Book your cruise check-in/arrival time to avoid long waits.
Reserve shore excursions early—popular ones fill fast.
Make dining and show reservations via your cruise line’s website or app.
Book spa appointments and check for discounts on port days.
Watch for upgrade offers—you may be able to bid or pay for a better room.
Submit any special requests (dietary needs, allergies, CPAP, etc.).
Research your ship—watch videos, read reviews, and check the layout.
Join a roll call group on Facebook or Cruise Critic to connect with fellow passengers.
Research your destinations—look up local tips, food, and top attractions.
Set a budget for onboard spending, excursions, souvenirs, and travel extras.
📝 To find my printable checklist, click here.
UTC Connect 2025 Gala - Seattle, Washington
🏙️ Tales from the Emerald City: Elevating My Travel Game
At the end of April, I spent three days in Seattle for Uniglobe Travel Center's annual conference. It was a whirlwind—overwhelming at times with all the information—but so much fun! I had one-on-one meetings with suppliers, listened to inspiring guest speakers, and enjoyed plenty of networking. I walked away with valuable insights into the travel industry. One highlight was a fun night out playing ping pong with BDMs from Carnival, Princess, Holland America, and Cunard. We wrapped up the conference in style with the Emerald City Gala, where I glammed up in an emerald green dress and a tiara!
Planning a stay in Seattle? The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a standout choice, blending historic charm with modern luxury.
Discovery Princess Cruise and Alaska - May 2025
🚢 Cruising to my 50th State: Alaska with Discovery Princess
Right after the conference, my mom met me in Seattle, and we set sail on a 4-day Alaska Sampler cruise aboard the beautiful Discovery Princess! The food and service were fantastic, but the views from our balcony were even better. We absolutely loved our cozy little cabin. The itinerary was the perfect mix: two relaxing sea days, one adventure-filled day in Ketchikan, and the best part - I finally checked off my 50th state: Alaska!
Click here to learn more about Alaska Princess Cruise itineraries and more. Book with me today!
📘 From Travel Fails to Travel Tales
The Best Memories Start with “Remember That Time…?”
This month's travel tale comes from my best friend, Danielle, recalling her first trip to Europe with her husband, Chris, way back in 1999.
Danielle's Story:
So, there we were—wide-eyed newbies on our first European adventure, staying in a classic Dublin hostel. You know the type: shared dorms, bunk beds, and a collection of international travelers all trying to be polite in the world's tiniest shared bathroom.
Chris had the bottom bunk and, like many cautious travelers, tucked his passport and important documents safely under his pillow. Then we went out to explore Dublin, and at some point during our gallivanting, Chris realized… no passport. Cue panic.
We rushed back to the hostel, only to discover the beds had been stripped for laundry while we were out. The passport? Gone. Possibly swallowed by a mountain of dirty sheets headed for a commercial washer.
Our day quickly turned into an impromptu scavenger hunt:
Step 1: Talk to the hostel front desk.
Step 2: Consult our dog-eared travel guidebook and the Irish version of a phone book.
Step 3: Try to figure out Dublin's bus routes to the U.S. Embassy (without smartphones, mind you—this was the era of prepaid calling cards).
At the embassy, Chris had to prove his American-ness. Now, here's where it gets funny: one of the "screening" questions was reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. And yes, I 100% got in trouble for feeding him the lines over the shoulder of the poor guy interviewing him. Not my finest stealth moment.
Eventually, Chris's mom had to fax copies of his ID, birth certificate, and original passport to Ireland. (Kids, ask your parents what a fax machine is.)
Thanks to a generous helping of paperwork and the power of Mom, he was issued a new passport that afternoon.
Then, (because, of course,) the original passport turned up the next day in the freshly laundered hostel sheets.
Moral of the Story:
Keep your passport somewhere other than under your pillow. Also, brush up on the Pledge of Allegiance… just in case you're ever quizzed under embassy pressure.
And wow, imagine how much quicker it all would've been if we'd just had a smartphone.
Got a funny travel story? Email me, and I’d love to share it in my newsletter!
Danielle and Chris - Ireland 1999
Thank you for reading!
Erin
