We’re going to Paris – and we’d like you to come with us. Seriously. For the first time ever Chimera Travel is leading a very small group trip, and we’ve chosen to head to Paris. Here’s the unique part though – it’s not a “group tour” in the traditional sense (ie “If it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium”). It’s still a highly personalized, customizable trip. We’re simply starting with a place and date, adding in a few options for activities that you can participate in if you choose, and helping you plan the rest to fit your specific interests.

Why are we doing this? Have you ever looked at a friend’s pictures from their most recent trip and though, “I would love to do something like that” or “I can’t wait until my next trip… whenever that is”? Sometimes I find that my clients (and people in general) want to travel, but need a little inspiration – maybe they’re wondering if it’s the right time, or they don’t speak the language of a desired destination and are nervous about getting around. Or perhaps it’s just that with everything else going on in their day-to-day lives they don’t have the chance to think about their travels. This small group trip offers potential vacationers a specific travel goal (they don’t have to come up with the plans on their own), the comfort of having a professional travel planner right there in the destination and the freedom to still customize their trip.

The basics:

• Date: May 17, 2012 (evening departure, arrive May 18) through May 21, 2012
• Group Size: Maximum of 12 people, but trip will run with 8 or more

What’s included:

• 3 nights at a 4-star hotel in the heart of Paris (breakfast included)
• One ticket to the Louvre per person (can be used at any time during the trip)
• One hop-on-hop-off bus ticket per person (good for two days)
• Half day tour to Versailles – this is the only “group” activity, and it is optional.

Chimera Travel will work with each traveler individually to plan their airfare. We can also arrange for additional activities on an individual basis if requested. Finally, we can provide customized trip extensions outside of the city, either before or after the small group trip. Here are just a few suggestions:

• Provence and the French wine regions
• French Riviera
• Chunnel to Belgium or London for several days (did you know you can reach either in under two hours by train?)

Sound like something you might be interested in? We’d love for you to join us! If you are interested, please email us and we will happily answer any questions that you have and keep you informed of trip updates (there’s no obligation in contacting us for details). We look forward to helping you explore this fantastic city!

When I was six years old, my parents opened a travel agency that focused solely on cruises. By the time I was eight, I was the most well-cruised third grader in my class with a photo collection of every mass market liner available. I never realized that there was something more beyond buffets and towel animals. Years later, I discovered the luxury of the smaller, yachting-style cruise lines. Specifically, the Yachts of Seabourn.

I was a little nervous before boarding the Seabourn Legend, especially at my age. I was 21 at the time and concerned if there would be enough for me to do. For most 21 year olds, the answer is no – there are no bellyflop competitions or dance clubs on board. However, for anyone with a refined taste in travel, there is plenty to experience. From exploring the unique ports of call to attending cooking demonstrations, luxury travel enthusiasts will find themselves right at home, just as I did.

Since Seabourn is an all-inclusive cruise line, guests are completely relaxed lounging by the pool and sipping as many homemade piña coladas as desired. Wine connoisseurs can sample flavors from across the globe without stressing over a bar tab at the end of their trip. On the Legend, guests have the main dining area and a specialty restaurant to choose from, both of which provide an array of options. he food prepared on board is honestly the best I’ve ever tasted – I still crave the slow-roasted chateaubriand and the truffle-infused chicken. All of the meals are fresh and there’s plenty to choose from; even if a favorite dish is not on the menu, one hint to the server and it’ll be there the next day.

Seabourn prides itself in a level of service that goes above and beyond. Guests should also expect to be greeted by name after the first day, to be pampered with fruit kabobs and cool towels on the pool deck, and to be escorted to their seats and waited on for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I became such good friends with many of the servers, cruise staff, and even the chef that I still keep in touch with them through e-mail and Facebook!

However, guests can certainly be as active or relaxed in their cruise as they desire. If a couple longs to retreat and spend time solely with one another, they can enjoy the serenity of each other’s company from anywhere onboard the ship. On the other hand, if cruisers desire making new friends, Seabourn does a number of things to foster that environment, like setting up large dinner tables to introduce travelers or hosting deck parties for mixing and mingling.

In any case, whether it’s a small yacht or large ship, a cruise is a personal experience to each and every guest. Traveling with the Yachts of Seabourn will provide that individualized attention and unique cruising experience to young and old. The company does not limit itself to age or interest, it simply provides the highest standard of service, food, and accommodation to those passionate about luxury travel.

Lindsey Epperly is a luxury travel consultant out of Columbus, GA who specializes in romance and couples travel. She was a top 30 Under 30 for 2010-2011 and enjoys traveling to “test out products.” She shares her experience on her personal travel blog, In Transit.

To learn more about Lindsey and her travels, you can find her here:

Website

Blog

@lindsey_epperly (twitter)

Facebook

Lake Geneva Geyser, Geneva, Switzerland

Paris may claim the most famous Notre Dame in the world, but Lyon’s Notre Dame Basillica is also quite impressive. Walk or take the funicular to the top of the hill where the church sits. The view from the top is worth the climb (or ride) up alone.

This is not to say that it’s a warm weather destination, it is not. However, in the summer (really the only time to go for casual tourism) it can reach into the 60s Fahrenheit. Iceland is an ideal destination for active and adventurous travelers, as well as those interested in nature and photography. Among the landscape of this country are geysers, waterfalls, volcanos, natural hot springs, lava fields and mountains.

By contrast, the capital of Reykjavik is a lively, cosmopolitan city with shopping, dining of all sorts, museums, galleries and nightlife that’s tough to beat. The city is small, so can easily be explored in a two days, allowing plenty of time to enjoy all that the outdoors have to offer here.

The Golden Circle, which is in the south near the capital, is home to some of the country’s most popular attractions. Gullfoss, a double tiered waterfall which falls 30 meters into a narrow canyon, is among the most visited sites. In this region visitors can also find the spouting hot spring of Geysir.

The opportunities for hiking in Iceland are plentiful. From Reykjevik, take a hike along the hot springs river, or for something a bit more intense, hike to the top of Mt. Hekla, Iceland’s second most active volcano. There are numerous tour operators who provide small group and private guided hikes throughout the country, and for those inexperienced in hiking in these conditions, a guide is recommended.

Iceland’s waters provide ample opportunity for sea kayaking, canoeing, rafting and diving. For those who prefer to stay further above the water, it is also one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

Of course, a trip to this northern country would would be virtually incomplete without seeing the Northern Lights, which are visible from September to March. For those who truly want to take advantage of Iceland’s location, take the ferry from the town of Dalvik (way in the north of the country) to Grimsey Island, where you can actually cross the arctic circle. A warning – the water may be quite choppy so if you tend towards any seasickness, take along some medication (over-the-counter or prescribed) to combat this.

Finally, I thought I’d share a few suggestions from a client of mine who went to Iceland this August who had some great feedback for visitors:

“Go north!  Visit the northern city of Akureyri and stay there if possible…From there one can get to Myvatn Lake, Detifoss and the northern national park called Jökulsárgljúfur. If you want to go to Grimsey Island and cross the Arctic Circle then a bus can take you to the ferry in Dalvik (there is no real reason to stay in Dalvik).

We raced through the eastern part of the island making our way back to Reykjavik and I think we all wished that we had more time.  One of my favorite roads to travel was route 939.  It is a road that cuts off part of the Ring Road (Route 1) in the east and allows for more direct travel.  We took it from the north down toward the coast (i.e. from the interior) and were treated to some spectacular scenery as well descended over 600 meters from the highlands to the fjord.  We saw many waterfalls and clouds bisect mountain ridges as we experienced the weather change throughout the decent.  It was amazing!  We then continued west on the Ring Road and eventually came to Jokulsarlon (again approximate spelling).  This is also a MUST SEE location.  This a a glacier created lake that is filled with icebergs making their way to the sea.  WOW!  The views are otherworldly (as are a number of views throughout the whole country).”

Fast Facts:

Entry Requirements: US visitors do not need a visa to enter Iceland.

When to visit: Temperatures are warmest in July and August. Reykjevick, though, is a rainy city (average 213 days of rain per year) and May and June tend to have a few more sunny days than other months.

Getting there: Icelandair operates nonstop from New York, Boston, Orlando, Toronto, Seattle and Halifax. Icelandair and other carriers operate with connections throughout the world.

City Life

Ljubljana, the country’s capital city center’s around it’s lively square, characterized by the pink stone church at the top. A river winds through through the center with brightly colored buildings on either side and foot bridges connecting the historic and modern sides of town. Interested visitors can take a historic river tour. Restaurants offer outdoor seating year round, with heat lamps situated warming diners in the colder months. Several days a week, vendors selling everything from crafts to clothing to food partake in an impressive market that stretches several blocks.

Ljubljana

The Great Outdoors

Feed your adventurous side, head to Lake Bled, about an hour from Ljubljana. Here you can enjoy the lake itself, or spend your time hiking, climbing, cycling , horseback riding, ballooning, canyoning and any number of other activities.

Exploring the Limestone Caves

Some of Slovenia’s most famous and most unique features are its limestone caves. While these can be found in various spots throughout the country, the Skocjan Caves Regional Park is a World Heritage Site. Located just 13 miles east of Trieste, Italy in the Karst Plateau, this system spans five kilometers and reaches a depth of 200 meters. Waterfalls, a swallowhole and four deep chasms created by the Reka River are all highlights for visitors to the caves. Walkways and bridges have been built for the safety of those exploring the caves.

The Slovenian Coast

One might not think of Slovenia in terms of a coastal region and while it doesn’t boast magnificent beaches, it does have several towns whose charm alone makes them worth the stop. Portoroz, along the Croatian boarder, is the one beach resort town in Slovenia. Two kilometers north is the Piran, with its beautiful harbor, medieval square, Venetian inspired alleyways and beautiful architecture. North from Piran is Koper, also medieval in appearance and popular for sailing, windsurfing and other water activities.

The Slovenian Coast

Visitor Facts

Getting there: Fly into Ljubljana via one of many connecting cities (Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Brussels and Paris are popular connection cities).

Getting around: Slovenia’s roads are remarkably well-kept and driving is easy (watch your speed, they ticket!). Slovenia is part of the Rail Europe system which makes both rail travel within the country and with surrounding countries enjoyable, safe and simple.

Entry requirements: US citizens will need a passport. They will not need a visa.

Currency: Slovenia adopted the Euro on January 1, 2007. The former currency, the Tolar, cannot be used for purchases (can only be exchanged at the Bank of Slovenia).

Can you briefly describe La Dolce Vita Retreats?

In a nutshell, La Dolce Vita Retreats offers women international vacations that combine experiential learning and creative self-expression to enhance one’s mind, body and spirit. These journeys of enrichment take place in exquisite European locales, featuring 5 star hotels, in exclusive, secluded tranquil France, Italy and Spain. Included are gourmet meals, exercise/yoga/pilates classes or hiking activities depending on location; unique sporting and/or spa packages depending on location; art, cooking, nutrition and botany classes depending on location; wine tasting, shopping, museum excursions, and much more.

How did you first come up with the idea for these retreats and why did you choose the specific market of higher end women’s only retreats?

I began developing the idea about 9 years ago when I went on a women’s retreat with Shape Magazine. I basically created what I envisioned to be the perfect retreat that I would want to experience – in a beautiful place, where I could learn new things or re-discover old joys, where someone would take care of me, do all of the planning…make me feel like a princess for a week.

What are some typical activities that travelers partake in on these journeys?

Art classes, cooking classes, perfume class, sailing, wine tasting, museum tours, hiking, yoga, pilates, journaling class, musical concerts, spa treatments

What was your favorite (or one of your favorite) retreats and why?

Portofino because of its incredible beauty, great hiking, sailing activities and the watercolor Creativity Workshop.

In some of our conversations, you’ve mentioned some exciting plans for future retreats. Can you give us a sneak peak?

Mallorca, Spain.

Can travelers add pre and post tours to your trips if they want to further explore the area?

Absolutely. I partner with Chimera Travel for pre-and post tours and airline reservations.

How can interested travelers learn more about your retreats and sign up?

Visit our website at  and/or contact Maya Northen at Chimera Travel. All retreats and corresponding details are listed on our website. Registration forms and Terms & Conditions can be downloaded from the website completed and returned with payment by mail.

I’ll address the airline issue first. Although there are certain guidelines for airlines when it comes to accessibility, they are for the most part quite general. For instance, they say that every twin aircraft must have one accessible bathroom and that this bathroom must have grab bars on the toilet. Lack of specific requirements leave a lot up to the discretion of the airline, and given the space is at a premuim, you can imagine most don’t go overboard to provide extra space for accessible travelers.

For US based airlines, Continental is generally thought to be the best for accessible travelers, though the bar set by other domestic airlines is not very high. If you are traveling overseas, it may be worth checking into foreign based carriers (BA, Singapore Air, Thai Air, etc) which often are just roomier in general.

Next, onto the European destinations. Europe can be tricky to navigate in a wheelchair, with its many small streets and cobblestone alleys. The many historical points of interest that were built hundreds of years ago when people in general were much smaller (and there was no ADA or similar requirements) can add to the difficulty. Luckily there are companies dedicated to helping people in wheelchairs explore Europe to its fullest.

Disabilitytravel.com (my apologies if ‘disability’ is a less than preferred term, I had nothing to do with the name-choosing) offers European tours for travelers with accessibility needs. Some of the most wheelchair friendly cities that they have found in Europe include:

• London
• Paris
• Rome
• Amsterdam
• Berlin
• Vienna
• Prauge
• Budapest
• Munich
• Salzberg

For more information on their tours and trips, visit www.disabilitytravel.com.