The Travel Comic's One-Liners:

• Air Travel:  Breakfast in London, Dinner in New York, Luggage in Brazil
• If God had meant us to travel economy class, he would have made us narrower
• If you look like your passport picture, you probably need a vacation
• Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember; and I remember more than I have seen
• Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason 

~Trivia is on Vacation!~

Last month's trivia answer is at the bottom of the page.

    For a week in April, aboard the Amadagio I was totally immersed in the culture and people of the Rhine and Mosel valleys.  This closeness was one of the biggest bonuses I experienced as a river cruiser.  We also enjoyed complimentary excursions with audio devices as well as wine and beer with dinner.  The 170 sq ft cabin had a french balcony, was well-equipped with a large shower and had free use of a personal computer.  The food was terrific!  

    Docked in the city centers, our cruise included Amsterdam, Cologne's magnificent cathedral; Rudesheim with a visit to a local vineyard; Cochem's   spectacular Castle and a tour  of Heidelberg.  The biggest surprise was Luxembourg, a beautiful city and the location of an American World War II cemetery with the grave of General George Patton.  

    I am sold on river cruising!  Where else do you have 360 degree panoramic views of castles on the Rhine while enjoying a perfect sunny day on deck with bratwurst barbecue?

 From the desk of Trish Timmerman ... 

Sailing on the Regent Seven Seas Navigator

It was 10 days of luxury and pampering--the perfect length to catch up on much needed rest.  It was so relaxing my husband and I had a hard time disembarking the ship.  I can't say enough about the wonderful service and attention to detail onboard!

We dined at Prime 7, the steakhouse onboard, which was spectacular. A beautiful setting, delicious food and excellent service made it a great dining experience.  The tables were not too close together but still intimate.   

At the last port I participated in the dolphin encounter at Paradise Island which was an experience of a lifetime.  A wonderful vacation enjoyed from start to finish.  We recommend you give yourself a similar experience.  

WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS:  HOW TO KEEP YOUR COOL

What do you do when you are far from home and you lose your bag with your passport, credit cards and extra cash?

• Be Prepared-To avoid losing it all, be prepared.  Keep a few $20 bills in a separate bag or hidden somewhere on your person.  Carry a photocopy of your passport and any required visas and keep in a place separate from the original.  Or store important documents in a password-protected account online or in your smartphone.  
• Don't panic - Even the most careful traveler can have a problem.
• Ask for help - If you are in a country where little English is spoken, enlist the help of a hotelier or at the tourist office to assist you in making phone calls or explaining the situation to the police
• File a police report - Find a police officer and report the loss.  Having a police report may help with replacing your passport and credit cards, and it's a must if you file an insurance claim.
• Use the internet - Get online at your hotel or a public Internet terminal and find contact details for the nearest U.S. Embassy and your bank, retrieve information you have stored online, or ask family back home for help.
• Replace your passport -  Without a passsport, you can't leave the country, and it will be difficult to check in at a new hotel or receive wired funds.  To replace your passport, you will need to go in person to the closest American embassy or consulate.  Having a copy of your passport will make this easier. A replacement passport costs $140 and generally can be issued within a few days or faster if you explain that you need it right away.  
• Cancel debit and credit cards - Within two days, cancel your lost or stolen debit and credit cards and order replacements.  The global customer assistance center collect (VIsa: 410-581-9994; MasterCard: 636-722-7111; American Express: 623-492-8427).  You will need to tell them the name of the bank that issued the card and the type of card; identification-verification details.  Your bank can generally deliver a new card to you in Europe within two to three business days.
•  Keep track of your stuff - you're more likely to inadvertently lose your bag than to have it stolen.  You're especially vulnerable when you're tired, confused or using public transportation. 

   From the desk of Julia Shore ...

Tours for Women only?

It's no secret that there's Mars and there's Venus, and the two don't travel  in the same orbit.  Women and men can travel together and see the same things completely differently.  That's why Woman's View Tours was created to let women experience the world the way they see it.  Consider a perfect vacation, studying frescoes in Italy, shopping the souks in Morocco, visiting ancient pyramids in Egypt or scuba diving in Palau.

These tours are designed for women only and show the intelligent, intriguing and illuminating discoveries of our planet that you and your best girlfriends will enjoy!  These tours are for any age, so start talking with your sisters, mothers, nieces and any other women you want to experience the world with.

Click here to see various itineraries available