As we begin to see light at the end of this pandemic tunnel we have all been in, we thought it would be fun to share some our Boscov’s Travel Advisors’ favorite destinations. We hope some of these spots and best things to see and do will give you ideas for your first “out of the pandemic” vacation plans.
Danube River Cruise
Of all the places in the world, actually 2 of our advisors – Amy Bressler of our Camp Hill office and Kelly Burton from the Neshaminy office – selected an AmaWaterways river cruise from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. Amy loved how up close and personal you stayed when cruising the river, and Kelly enjoyed the varied shore excursion options at each port town. From biking along the river, hiking up to a medieval castle or sampling wines at local vineyards, it was a beautiful trip. While they did not travel together, they both have a common favorite part – touring Salzburg, Austria! As fans of “Sound of Music”, seeing many of the filming sights was a bucket-list experience.
Exotic Tanzania Tour
Sue Blum of our Reading-East office has logged 16 trips to the African continent, so her choice is no surprise. After befriending and entrusting one of her guides from earlier trips, he hosted her in a very remote, authentic safari camp in southern Tanzania. She experienced hippos, crocodiles, zebras, antelopes, right by the camp that was set up amongst huge palm trees on a ridge overlooking the savannah. While remote, accommodations had every luxury in mind – private tents with mesh screening, comfortable bedding, canvas washstand areas, bucket showers and beautiful lantern-lit paths to the common dining area for cold beverages and gourmet foods. Time out in the savannah got her up close to lions and ostrich families, and experiencing the Great Migration of the Wildebeest herds. Truly a sight to see.
Bermuda Cruise
If you like sand and sun, then Erica Putt of our Lancaster office recommends a Bermuda cruise. The cruise is so relaxing, and once in port, there are so many activities for every interest. She mostly enjoys getting a transportation pass and exploring the island. Immersing yourself in the culture through history and cuisine is wonderful, and the locals are so friendly and happy to have you visit their beautiful island.
Banff National Park – Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada
When you’re headed into the Canadian Rockies, be sure to visit Banff National Park and treat yourself to a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. According to Michelle Tymon in our Easton office, the sunrise canoe excursion on Lake Louise is well worth the early hour. And she is NOT a morning person! The colors are spectacular, and the rhythmic sound of the paddle cutting through the water make you instantly relax and immerse yourself in the awesome and majestic views. Once you’ve worked up an appetite paddling, you can enjoy an amazing breakfast at the Fairview Bar & Restaurant. The service and hospitality at the Fairmont Lake Louise will not disappoint.
Newport, Rhode Island
Not every getaway needs to be far away. Just ask Larissa Hayward of our Easton office. She fell in love with Newport, Rhode Island, with its lovely beaches, stunning architecture and great shopping and dining. If you love historical architecture, be sure to tour some of the “summer cottages” aka mansions like the Breakers and the Marble House. Her favorite was the Doris Duke Rough Point Mansion, which showcased the dedicated patron of the arts love for the finer things. Rough Point is filled with a truly unique collection of artwork and fine décor. You can get great views of these cottages from a leisurely stroll along the Cliff Walk too.
The French Riviera
Paula Heyman of our Moorestown, NJ office likes to say in one place, but still get to experience a number of different areas, and that’s just what she found in the French Riviera. There are so many places close by. She chose Monaco as home base for a single unpacking, but got to see some amazing nearby destinations like Nice, Menton, Eze, La Turbie and St. Tropez in France, as well as San Remo, Italy. It’s just a perfect spot for sight-seeing and as the playground for some of the rich-and-famous, has great people-watching.
Aruba
Don’t let this fun-in-the-sun destination fool you. Randy Laub of our Lebanon office says that while Aruba is known for great resorts, superb beaches, friendly people and excellent food and night life, you need to get off the beaten path. Try exploring the battered coast in a Jeep, following the trails made after years of Jeep exploration. But don’t go rogue off the trails…the cliffs can get you! This truly is “One Happy Island!”
Interlaken, Switzerland
Tracee Eroh of our Selinsgrove office suggests a visit to Switzerland to experience a whole other part of our world. The scenery is gorgeous. One of the best ways to see and do the area is to rent motorized bicycles and ride through the countryside visiting quaint little towns, seeing breathtaking waterfalls. Stop off in Gruyere, home of some of the best cheeses named after this town. More of a traditional swiss cheese fan? Then Emmental is the one for you. Enjoy some of the best cheese fondue you can imagine. Around here cheese is for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to do some shopping for some traditional swiss finds like cuckoo clocks, watches and knives.
Eastern Mediterranean Cruise
If you know Dori, you know she’s always up for an adventure! Her cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean had her trekking to semi-active volcanos, riding a pirate ship around the island, swimming in hot springs, riding mules to the top of Santorini and taking the tram back down, walking through the streets surrounded by white-washed buildings with beautiful blue doors and roofs. The smells of sambuca and olive oil overtake your senses – it’s breathtakingly beautiful. On the other side of the island, she visited Vlichada Beach which is a bit pebbly so bring along some water shoes. Amazing that 15,500 people live on this volcanic caldera. It’s a trip of a lifetime!
Hawaii
Susie Roth is one of our remote advisors, and recommends a trip to Hawaii to explore all the natural wonders of this island chain. While it seems like an exotic foreign destination, it’s still part of the U.S., making travel easy and safe. There is so much to see and do from adventurous outdoor and nature activities to relaxing resorts with some of the world’s best beaches. Every island is unique and offers something for everyone. You can’t beat the scenery, weather, culture and friendly people. Larissa of Easton also loved Maui, and recommends a road trip to Hana to hike to a waterfall, a drive out to see Kahakuloa Head in western Maui, as well as a bike ride down from Haleakala Crater, with spectacular views of the islands and Pacific Ocean from this highest point in Maui.
These are just some of the great places you can explore when you are ready to travel again. Our travel advisors have many miles and trips under their belts, and are happy to “talk travel” and inspire your next getaway. Meet our Advisors to learn more about their travel experiences.