If you picture an escorted tour as a crowd of people hustled from one bus to the next, you’re not alone — and you’re not entirely wrong. That version used to exist. But modern escorted travel? It’s a whole new art form.
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There are trips you remember — and then there are trips that change the way you see the world. My recent Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro with 3 Nights in Lisbon journey with Avalon Waterways was exactly that kind of experience . . .
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Take a look at this picture. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Isn't it glorious? A veritable wonderland of pastries, cakes, and treats, each one looking more tempting than the last. You've got your delicate tarts, your creamy Ă©clairs, those irresistible-looking cream puffs, decadent multi-layered cakes...
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Are you ready to join JOY and experience the adventure of a lifetime, where breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and rich cultures come together in an unforgettable journey?
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There’s something quietly grand about experiencing the Rockies from a panoramic seat: mountains unfolding like a slow-motion postcard, rivers threading silver through valleys, and the steady, reassuring chug of a train that lets you watch the world instead of rushing through it. . .
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Oahu has a way of surprising even seasoned travelers: it pairs dramatic volcanic ridgelines with powdery white sand, world-class surf with quiet, neighborhood charm, and bustling Honolulu energy with pockets of untouched tropical calm. Call it classic Hawaii, concentrated: the island offers . . .
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There’s a special kind of calm that comes with sailing the South Pacific on a ship built for the region it explores. Paul Gauguin Cruises specializes in French Polynesia — the islands themselves are the star, and the ship is the perfect complement: intimate, Polynesian in spirit, and focused on . . .
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Steam from a morning cappuccino curls into the square, cobbles underfoot, a guide’s easy laugh threads through the air — and in the background, someone has quietly handled the tickets, the transfers, and the tiny logistics that usually eat your vacation time. That’s the neat paradox of escorted travel: within the structure lies the freedom. Globus builds the scaffolding so you can swing from it.
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This is a laugh-out-loud tale about a bobblehead gone wrong and why, when it comes to travel, trusting a seasoned, family-run agency like The Joy of Travel means fewer surprises and more joyful memories.
The laugh that taught us something important:
I recently sent a favorite photo of my friend Pam Hoffee to. . .
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Hello, fellow travel enthusiasts! Joy here, back with another tale from the road (or, in this case, the river!). We often talk about the pure delight of a European river cruise – the charming towns, the stunning scenery, the effortless elegance of floating from one incredible discovery to the next.
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Can you feel it? That little flutter of excitement, that whisper of wanderlust that’s been building up? It’s happening! You're starting to plan, to dream, to get that travel itch. And frankly, so are we.
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Today I want to share something I find incredibly inspiring about how travel, especially adventurous and educational travel, keeps us vibrant and joyful well into our golden years.
A recent study by Road Scholar—those folks who are all about learning through travel—found that a whopping 94% of adults over 50 who engage in adventure-focused travel experience
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