Travel Blog

IMPORTANT – If booking international travel, PLEASE make sure you have a valid passport at the time of book. Also, COVID Travel, Testing and Health Requirement information is provided by your Travel Advisor as guidance only and can change without notice. Always reconfirm information by checking government & airline websites before booking and traveling.

I traveled to Dubai from October 4th – 12th, 2021. This was one of my favorite trips ever, as I was able to take a group of 12 people on a once-in-a lifetime luxury vacation experience!

We had a few hiccups getting to our destination due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions. Our departure was on a Monday, which made our PCR testing challenging over the weekend. Some of us had to pay $ 250.00 to get a second test done at the airport the day of departure, because we did not receive our test results on time. The results were actually received a week later, when we were already in Dubai!

Dubai is one of the few cities in the Middle East that are very open to welcoming tourists. It is one of seven municipalities comprising the United Arab Emirates. It has a perfect mix of cosmopolitan city, with traditional aspects of the local culture. It is such an amazing destination, with so many unique attractions, that you need at least a month to see and do it all! It is impossible to try everything Dubai has to offer in one single trip!

Dubai is considered a safe travel destination. They are very strict with regards to community regulations. There are definitely some different laws, and we should adjust our behavior as a sign of respect to local customs.

The historic area is relatively small, but it is fascinating! It is recommended to take a tour. You can start with a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque, one of the few mosques open to non-Muslims. Cross the creek by traditional “abra” (water taxi) to soak up the aromas of the spice souk. Visit the souks and the Dubai Fort. The souks are small compared to those in Istanbul or Egypt, however, one can usually spend several hours strolling the alleyways and be stunned by just how much gold it is possible to wear!

There is so much to do, that you could be skiing on real snow one minute then riding sand dunes the next. Some of the Must Do activities in Dubai are:

  • Burj Khalifa, famed as the tallest building in the world
  • The Dubai Water Fountain – the world’s biggest choreographed water fountain
  • Shop at the world’s biggest mall - The Dubai Mall
  • Old Dubai
  • Visit the Dubai Miracle Garden, the world’s biggest natural flower garden
  • Swim with sharks at the Dubai Aquarium
  • Skydive over the Palm Jumeirah
  • Sand Dune Bashing
  • Camel Desert Safari
  • Stay in the World’s First Seven-Star Hotel (Burj Al Arab)
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride over the dessert
  • Indoor Skiing
  • Ride the World’s Fastest Roller Coaster (Ferrari World)
  • Zipline over the Dubai Marina
  • Eat dinner in the Sky – 164 ft. above the streets of Dubai
  • Drive a Supercar through beautiful desert terrain and the city
  • Helicopter ride over Dubai

A highlight of this trip, was the opportunity to attend the World Travel Expo 2020. We were able to visit several pavilions from 190 countries represented, featuring their achievements, culture, art, technology, etc.

This was definitely a trip of a life time! If I could change anything, is going when the temperature was a little bit lower. Even going a week later in October would have made a difference and it would have been more enjoyable!

Happy travels!

All the best,
Carol Alegre
Morris Murdock Travel - Salt Lake City

(801) 483-6165
Email me

Recently I sailed on the Seabourn Odyssey’s seven day, Southern Caribbean cruise. We embarked from Bridgetown, Barbados on an amazing itinerary through the Caribbean. Because this ship was small and intimate, with a capacity of only 450 guests, we were able to enjoy the smaller ports on the islands of St Lucia, Antigua, Tortola, St Kitts, and Bequia. This particular sailing could be extended to a 14-day trip with visits to several more island.

Seabourn specializes in a luxury sailing experience, with a nearly 1:1 ratio of guest to staff, their focus is entirely on the client experience. It wasn’t long before the staff knew our names and our dining preferences. Even though this was my first time on a Seabourn cruise, I immediately felt like part of the Seabourn family. I was impressed with the number of passengers who had sailed on many previous Seabourn sailings.

All cabins in the Seabourn fleet are ocean front suites. I enjoyed the comforts of the Veranda Suite which included a full bathroom with separate tub and shower, walk in closet, spacious sitting area and baloney with bistro table and chairs. It was a complete treat to wake each morning and enjoy the vista of a new Caribbean island from the convenience of my balcony.

The food on board is exceptional. On the Odyssey there was the option of a formal restaurant, a more casual buffet experience with daily chef specials, the intimate Thomas Keller Italian Grill, the outdoor bar and grill by the pool, and of course in suite dining. Each dining experience was unique and delicious with a large variety of choices. One of my favorite treats was the afternoon English tea in the observation lounge. A beautiful and yummy selection of tiny English sandwiches, cakes, and scones with a wide view of the open sea.

Additionally, Seabourn is a genuinely all inclusive experience with no added costs for gratuities, drinks, or specialty dining experiences. On-board WIFI is also included. The on-board entertainment was classy and enjoyable. Our sailing had a young, talented pianist that could conquer any type of music. There was also an archeologist historian who gave nightly lectures on relevant topics like ancient buried treasures and the pirates parading around the Caribbean. My favorite evening event though was the ship dance party held on the pool deck one beautiful night under the stars.

The highlight of this cruise for me was the unique, small ports we were able to visit. Even with the restrictions of covid, the experience was exceptional.

Rodney Bay, St Lucia

Because of the intimate number of passengers on our ship, those that wanted to go ashore could easily tendered to Rodney Bay for shore excursions. I chose to the Creole experience, where I enjoyed dancing, food, and a tour of a local family farm. Afterwards, a trip up the steep hills to an island estate with a beautifully manicured botanical garden.

St. John’s Antigua

Normally St. John would be a busting cruise port, but Covid has put a temporary damper on this. We were required to stay with our tour operator at all times. We enjoyed a sea kayaking experience around a mangrove filled island followed by a snorkel and private island beach visit. The snorkeling was amazing with plenty of coral and colorful fish to enjoy.

Road Town, Tortola

I choose to take another snorkeling adventure today, the Caribbean is generally a perfect location for this kind of activity. In addition to the coral and colorful fish we also saw a sea turtle and a giant sea bass. Our excursion ended with a relaxing visit to another private beach.

Carambola Beach, St. Kitts & Nevis

After a morning visit to the UNESCO site of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, an early military fort that toggled between ownership of the French and English, we spent our afternoon on the beach. Today we enjoyed one of Seabourn’s signature events - Beach BBQ and Caviar on the Surf. We smiled as the captain arrived at the beach aboard an inflatable raft waiving a Seabourn Flag. The crew had already prepped a surf board with crackers and caviar. We marveled at their skillful attention to passing out caviar and drinks without being swamped by the surf.

Port Elizabeth, Bequia the Grenadines

We toured this tiny island in the back of small pick-up trucked - lined with benches and a protective canopy. This was a great way to see the sights. Because of Covid restrictions and the inability to interact with others on the Island, after the tour, Seabourn arranged a visit to a private beach where we could relax for the afternoon.

Bridgetown, Barbados

We had a late afternoon flight from Barbados back the US, so opted for the shore excursion and transfer to the airport this morning. We took a scenic drive around the island hugging the coast and enjoying the colorful store fronts and scenery. The tour concluded with a relaxing lunch on a hilltop over looking Bridgetown and the coast.

Happy travels!

All the best,
Lara Maxfield
Morris Murdock Travel - Salt Lake City

(801) 483-6436
Email me

Traveling to Bermuda has always been on my “Bucket List” and sailing with Viking Ocean Cruise was a dream come true!

The thought of traveling with all of the COVID requirements was a bit daunting and Bermuda has a lot of restrictions in place. Viking was completely on top of the situation and provided a step-by-step timeline of all of the requirements needed to travel. They sent multiple emails & reminders along with a personal phone call to ensure we understood all of the requirements and would be completely prepared to travel.

In order to ensure a safe sailing for all guests Viking Ocean Cruise also had onboard COVID requirements in place including a daily PCR test and temperature checks. The requirements onboard the ship were handled with grace and never felt intrusive. Viking Ocean Cruise ships have onboard LABS to process the PCR tests so results are processed the same day. Having this extra layer of protection onboard the ship put all of our worries at ease and we were able to relax and enjoy!

Once we arrived in Hamilton to board the stunning Viking Orion our vacation truly began. We were escorted to our beautiful Verandah Stateroom. The king size bed was plush and comfortable and the bathroom was beautiful with a large glass shower and heated floors.

We settled into our room and headed out to explore the ship and soon realized just how elegant and inviting it was. Viking Ocean Ships include all verandah staterooms and suites with only 930 adult only guests. Throughout the ship we found spacious and tucked away seating areas perfect for relaxation or meeting up with friends.

Dining and Service are where Viking Cruises really stands apart. The quality of service we experienced with Viking exceeded all of our expectations. By the 2nd day most of the staff knew us by name and went out of their way to greet us and ensure that everything was perfect for our vacation.

The main dining venue, The Restaurant, and The World Café including indoor dining or al fresco were available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food was always fresh and delicious! We also enjoyed a Norwegian Breakfast at Mamsen’s which offers Norwegian specialties for breakfast, lunch, & afternoon snacks. Our favorite spot for lunch was the Pool Grill which had a small salad bar and absolutely delicious sandwiches, burgers, chicken wings, and onion rings.

The 2 included specialty restaurants, Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant and The Chef’s Table were the highlight of the cruise. The food and service in both restaurants was amazing!

Viking includes an excursion at each port. In Hamilton we joined the Famous Homes & Hideaway Cruise with a glimpse of how the rich and famous live. At Kings Wharf we enjoyed the Great Sound Catamaran Rally which included sailing, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boards & canoeing. We also chose an optional ship wreck snorkeling tour at Kings Wharf. The water was crystal clear and the snorkeling was spectacular.

Days at sea consisted of relaxation in either the heated main pool with retractable roof or outdoor infinity pool and hot tubs. Then we would meet up with friends for a game of Trivia in the Star Theatre followed by a delicious lunch and more relaxation. There was a beautiful Spa and Fitness Center and there were lectures to choose from, movies in the cinema, and afternoon Tea in Wintergarden.

Bermuda is known for pink sand and beautiful beaches. The mid-Atlantic Islands are overflowing with opportunities for adventure including bays, beaches, cliffs, caves, parks & preserves.

I would love to help you plan your next Viking Ocean or Viking River Cruise or Bermuda Adventure.

ValRee Lowe

If I can help plan your next vacation, please contact me:

Phone: 801-483-5245
Street: 1212 E 4800 S
City: Ogden, UT 84403

Business Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

   

I noticed a lot of interest in travel to Portugal a few years ago. I had been myself around 20 years ago but only as an ending to a trip to Spain. I had done a lot of research for my client’s trips and was eager to travel there myself. Portugal is a country with very diverse scenery and climate. We started our trip by flying into Lisbon. Our intent was to rent a car and drive 3 hours to Porto to begin our adventure. One can take very short flight from Lisbon to Porto but I figured that we needed a car eventually and flying was around the same amount of time as driving. Looking back I really should have considered flying to Porto. We arrived in Lisbon to see a couple thousand people waiting for immigration and passport control After 14 hours travel time, jet lagged and hungry that is the last thing you want to see. After 2 ½ hours in the line we finally made it to the car rental which was unorganized and crowded as well. 3 ½ hours after we landed we were on the road for our 3 hour drive. If we had connected in Lisbon we could have easily gone through the short line for connecting flights, been on the plane within an hour and in Porto in another hour. Lessons learned! Apparently there has been a boom in travel to Portugal and immigration told us that since everyone had put off summer travel to Portugal, everyone was going now.

The drive to Porto was very easy. Road signs in Portugal are in English as well as Portuguese. We were rewarded for our difficult time traveling to Porto by this beautiful city. We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel, which I highly recommend because of it’s wonderful location to the old city, beautiful rooms, amazing service and beautiful historical building. We explored a bit that evening, finding an excellent seafood restaurant. The next day we took a walking tour of the city which included a Douro River cruise. This was a fun way to get to know Porto and the scenery along the river. The city itself is a exquisite city with historic, amazing architecture. One thing you notice is the colorful blue tiles on the buildings. There was a great street market along the river and we enjoyed browsing the city after our tour. We had wonderful Portuguese food that evening which consist mainly of seafood since Porto is a fishing port. Get ready to have the whole fish or whole prawn ready to dissect, but once you finish it’s well worth it for the freshest seafood you may ever have.

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