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  • TravelerAMA Waterways

    6 Days To Go

    July 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Be sure you download any apps you may need before your trip starts. I have downloaded the Delta app, Allianz Travel Insurance and, AMA Waterways. The AMA apps tells you more about the destinations you'll be visiting even restaurant recommendations!Read more

  • Gate 1 River Cruise
    Day 18

    Some conclusions from our trip

    May 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 61 °F

    Pros:
    - Price- still impossible to beat.
    - Tour Director and Activity Director - Great personalities - very nice guys
    - Food - excellent - not much different than the very high priced lines. All the beer and wine you want for dinner. None at lunch but who needs booze at lunch? Of course, you can always buy it on board at any time. And there were plenty who did! Felt like all we were doing was eating!
    - Most tours were excellent outside of the rather messed up Utrecht boat canal ride
    This trip had a lot of bus touring off of the boat. Some days we were sailing for a few hours where you could get up on the deck and enjoy the sunshine. No castles along this stretch of the river, so Gate1 probably decided that spending time on the river wasn’t so essential
    - Staff was super pleasant - all smiles all the time. I’m sure they’re trained to do this as it will help garner them more tips. Our dining server from Serbia was particularly nice as was our room attendant from Kyrgyzstan. She even hung out in the hallway talking with guests about her country
    - Weather - incredible. Sunny almost every day - no rain. Before leaving it looked like we would have a lot of rain. Nothing of the sort. Of course this drove all the Dutch folks out of their homes and cities like Amsterdam were crazy busy with people.

    Cons:
    - Getting Covid.
    - Wifi on board was horrible. Gate1 needs to fix that although maybe they just use “wifi” as a selling point, knowing it is worthless. Keeps people off of their phones and paying attention to what is going on around them. I’m cool with that and if it weren’t for trying to blog, it would be fine.
    - Room size was comparable to the sizes of the lower deck rooms on Ama Waterways. Mattress was way too soft and I worried about my back, but it didn’t really cause an issue - go figure.
    - We had an extremely small room in the Eden Hotel in Amsterdam. Others in the group had larger rooms. Don’t know why. Not a huge issue, but would have been nice to have more room. Heck, we had more room on the ship!
    - These are all minor quibbles though. Overall, great adventure until Paris.

    What would we do differently?
    Without a doubt fly in a couple days early and rest for the first day. Trying to cheap out too much can cost you in energy. Also think I’d fly out a few days later at the end of the trip. Of course cost of hotel rooms as add ons can get expensive, but there is the option of staying in an AirBnB, hostel or whatever. Amsterdam was not cheap though. Meals were expensive too. We may be at the end of our river cruising days for a bit. We’ve done the Danube, the Rhone, the waterways of Bordeaux, the waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium. (The Rhine , which I’ve done in the past would be nice for Janet because of the castles - might still do that one). I’m inclined to think about going back to rental car or possibly train travel. In terms of covid, rental car would be best, but that wouldn’t be the biggest determinant. I think we got unlucky and maybe were both so tired from jet lag, etc that our immune defenses were down some and that was just enough to catch it from people you were around all week and sitting across the table from each other gabbing. Still, when Gate1 throws out these incredible specials, it’s hard not to jump on them - it’s why we chose this one. So my advice to those looking for a river cruise - consider Gate1 - it will cost you probably half of the others and the quality will be much the same as the more expensive ones. Now if you’re loaded and you usually hang with fellow loaded folks, then you might be more comfortable on the high end ships vs mingling with the peasants. :).

    Technology issues worked out well - brought an extension strip I didn’t need, so that one will stay at home next time. Otherwise, bought the right stuff. T-Mobile worked like a champ - just automatic - nothing to turn on - it recognized you when you crossed into another country and you didn’t have to do a thing and 5GB of high speed data for free and you could buy more if you needed it. You just have to understand that you don’t post stuff on social media, etc without wifi. Since we didn’t have wifi for all extensive purposes on the ship, you pretty much had to wait till you wandered into a coffee shop and could grab 5 minutes or so on their wifi. Simple texting was fine - you could do that about anywhere with a decent cellular signal (which also wasn’t good on the ship).

    When calculating your costs for a trip, don’t forget tipping. Pretty much better figure on 3-400 dollars.

    Oh, and a final tip from Bart (our tour director) - if you plan to wear shoes when you leave the ship or the hotel, then take one of your shoes and put it on top of the safe in your room, then you'll remember to put on your shoe and take your passport with you!! :). (that's Bart and Janet on our final day in Paris. Bart had just smuggled us some coffee out of the dining room since the hotel didn't want us going in there). :)    Read more

  • Gate 1 River Cruise

    Clarifying notifications

    May 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    So I was puzzling a bit about why some people weren't getting notified that I had posted something. Some of it was because some followers when originally signing up had different emails than they do now. But for the rest, there are a few steps that are important , so I screen captured them and am posting. There are 2 pictures. . I'm doing all of this because FindPenguins is a great way to capture a trip forever so with the thought you might use it yourself someday, I'm posting this.

    So bottom line - download the app and put it on your Home Screen of your phone. Then you'll notice the little red bubble appear when you have a notification (and it doesn't just have to be me that you're following - you can hit the explore button and find all kinds of people posting trips and you can request to follow them. If you don't click the Follow button for me or any other person you decide to follow, then nothing happens. Any time they post, you'll see the little red bubble appear next to the Find Penguin icon. Then as a 2nd step I'd do this as well. Go into the General Settings of your phone, go to Notifications and scroll down to find FindPenguins (which will be there since you downloaded the app) and turn those notifications ON. (I think when you first install the app, the default might be OFF). This way, when someone posts something and you're following them, a pop up will appear on your phone notifying you there is a new post by someone. That's just a nice backup method to the red bubble icon. Let me know in the comments if you're still confused. It took me awhile understanding exactly how FindPenguins was doing this and for that reason I think the screen captures are helpful. As a final note, Find Penguins may send you an email asking you to verify your email address. Don't skip that step as you probably won't get any notifications without doing that.    Read more

  • Gate 1 River Cruise

    1 month to go!

    April 14, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Moving closer to our departure date. Hoping my creaky bones hang together a bit longer to get us there and back! :). Managed to score the two remaining ticket slots to see the Anne Frank House (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Frank ) on our first day of arrival. (Arrive in Amsterdam at 6:05am) Our entry time is 8:35 pm so we should be thoroughly exhausted by then :). Having been a German teacher and student of German history and having watched countless films on WWII, this was pretty much a must see.Read more

  • Gate 1 River Cruise

    Planning Stages!

    October 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Janet just happened to catch the Gate1 Flash Sale email newsletter and saw that it was a 2 for 1 for Belgium/Netherlands river cruising. Upon further inspection, saw a 14 day trip that included Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, etc and decided to check out prices. Found we could do the entire trip for $5500 which included special excursions, plus all of our airfare out of Charlotte (CLT-BOS-AMS and returning CDG-JFK-CLT). Like all the Gate1 trips we’ve gone on , this was a steal. This will be our first adventure out into the world of Covid (whew) and hoping we survive it. Totally vaxxed and triple boosted and not afraid to wear a mask, but even then…. Of course we are still a long ways out from the trip so who knows what will happen - with covid, with the economy or with Ukraine. One day at a time! Definitely looking forward to exploring some of Amsterdam. And comparing Gate1 River Cruising to Ama Waterways and Uniworld (two other cruise companies we have been with). We’ve been to Paris (prior to our Ama Waterways trip down the Rhone river in SE France), but missed some things so will be good to get back there and try again!Read more

  • Destination UnknownNew Orleans
    Day 1

    Where Are We?

    May 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    I really like the flight map feature that’s built into each seat. I think it’s even better than the plane’s entertainment features! It’s nice to know where we are and how much longer the flight is going to be. Usually, I don’t even bother with the variety of movies or tv shows that are available. I just leave the flight map on for the whole trip.Read more

  • Morocco March 2020

    Itinerary for Morocco

    December 26, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F

    Our itinerary for this Spring's Gate1 small group tour of Morocco -

    DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Morocco
    Depart for Morocco

    DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Casablanca, Transfer to Rabat
    Arrive in Casablanca this morning and transfer to Rabat, a heady swirl of color, culture, and history. Arrive at your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, your tour will begin with an orientation meeting lead by your Tour Manager at approximately 6:00 pm, followed by a Welcome Dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 3:00 pm on day 2 of the itinerary or earlier, if possible
    Overnight: Rabat
    Meals: Dinner

    DAY 3, Saturday - Rabat City Tour
    After breakfast, you tour the capital. Begin with a drive past the beautifully tiled entrance to the Royal Palace, followed by a stop at Bab Rouah, or the city's "Gate of the Winds," so called because it's been battered by Atlantic winds since its construction in 1197. Visit Hassan Tower, part of an unfinished mosque started by a 12th-century caliph. At the incredibly preserved Kasbah of the Udayas, explore the fortress and take a stroll in the French-colonial Andalusian gardens. End the day at Chellah, the necropolis and ruins of an ancient Roman outpost. Balance of the day is at leisure
    Overnight: Rabat
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 4, Sunday - Explore Volubilis & Meknes, Overland to Fez
    This morning, drive inland to Fez. Along the way, stop to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis, the once-bustling city and African administrative center of the Roman Empire. The site also has vestiges of the Berber civilization that took the city from Rome in AD 270. Continue to Meknes and view the Bab Mansour gate, beautifully patterned with zellij mosaics. This evening, you're the guests of a local Fez family for dinner. Over typical Moroccan, home-prepared food, you'll connect with your hosts
    Overnight: Fez
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    DAY 5, Monday - Tour Fez
    Explore the sprawling medina of Fez on foot this morning. It's said that this is the world's largest car-free urban area; undistracted by traffic, you're sure to agree that strolling here is a feast for the senses. You'll enter via the Bab Boujloud, or "Blue Gate" and visit the famed Al-Bou Inania Madrasa. Afterward, you will have an opportunity to shop for authentic Moroccan carpets. Then, stop at the Chouara Tannery to see how leather is cut and dyed using traditional techniques. At the Nejjarine Museum, browse the collection of wooden arts and crafts, then view copper craftsmen at work in Seffarine Square. The tour ends outside the Karaouine Mosque and University, the oldest continuously functioning university in the world, founded in the year 859. After lunch in the medina, your guide leads you through the Jewish Quarter, or mellah, built in 1438. By the end of the walk, you'll be at the King's Palace. Enjoy dinner at the hotel later this evening
    Overnight: Fez
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 6, Tuesday - Cross Middle Atlas Mountains, Drive to Erfoud
    Today, experience a thrilling adventure into Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains. Begin with a stop in Ifran, a Moroccan ski resort. Then ascend scenic roads past pine groves and giant cedar trees. Midmorning, you cross the 6,000-foot pass and continue west toward the great Sahara. Next, stop for lunch in the village of Midelt. Then as you approach Erfoud, enjoy views of the remarkable Ziz Gorges and vast valleys. Continue to Erfoud for dinner and overnight
    Overnight: Erfoud
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 7, Wednesday - Experience Rissani, Sahara Camp
    This morning, explore the small city of Rissani on the edge of the Sahara. En route, stop at a fossil factory to learn more about this unique activity which is famous in the region. Then, wander its lively souk, and visit a 17th-century ksar. Afterward, pass by the ancient ruins of Sijilmasa on the River Ziz, once a bustling Berber city and medieval trade depot. You'll pause to visit a local bread shop, where you'll witness and sample an ancient culinary art. After lunch at the hotel, you journey into the Sahara Desert, stopping en route to share tea with some welcoming locals in a Berber tent. Later, settle into your Sahara camp, where dunes rise and fall around you and feel the adventuresome spirit of explorers of old. You'll even have the opportunity to enjoy a short camel ride. Witness an incredible sunset and enjoy traditional music under a canopy of stars
    Overnight: Sahara Tented Camps
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 8, Thursday - Explore Desert & Todra Gorge, Travel to Ait Benhaddou
    Awake amidst the silence of the desert this morning as Morocco's natural beauty continues to astound you. After breakfast, leave the camp and make your way to the lovely oasis of Tinghir for lunch. The real attraction here is the spectacular Todra Gorge, a deep ravine carved by the Todra River over millennia. There'll be time to marvel at this sight before you continue to the Dades Valley, where roses bloom in profusion in springtime. The locals make good use of the prolific flower by producing rose water here. Dinner tonight is at your hotel
    Overnight: Ait Benhaddou (Ouarzazate Region)
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 9, Friday - Visit Ait Benhaddou, Travel to Marrakesh
    After breakfast at the hotel, take time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a ksar - or fortified city - along a former caravan route. This is the true Morocco: a village that seems to rise from the sands. Its desert-dusted Kasbahs and maze-like warrens are sure to enthrall you. Next, make your way to the magical city of Marrakesh. Dinner tonight at your hotel
    Overnight: Marrakesh
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    DAY 10, Saturday - City Tour of Marrakesh, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Gardens
    Discover historic and exotic Marrakesh today. Begin at Majorelle Gardens, a botanical marvel set in the heart of Marrakesh. Next visit the Koutoubia, a 12th-century Mosque and minaret, still topped with four copper globes. Then, explore Bahia Palace, where 360 rooms were once adorned with Italian marble and Sudanese gold. For a more recent archaeological find, you'll see the richly decorated tombs of the Saadi Dynasty. End your thrilling morning in the famed Djemaa el Fna square, a dazzling display of acrobats, story tellers, and snake charmers. Take your time and absorb this vibrant kaleidoscope of culture, torn from the pages of Ali Baba. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, an optional horse-drawn carriage ride takes you through the lively streets of Marrakesh followed by a lavish dinner of Moroccan fare. Relive the days of Arabian folklore while enjoying classic Moroccan music and an elegant belly dancing performance
    Optional: Dinner with Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride (PM)
    Overnight: Marrakesh
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 11, Sunday - Full Day Marrakesh
    Spend the day at leisure or participate in the optional tour to the scenic Ourika Valley where typical Moroccan villages are scattered amidst the towering Atlas mountains. Here, discover the area’s natural herbs and their many uses. Before lunch at the gardens enjoy, a "Berber foot bath". Afterward, return to the hotel
    Optional: Ourika Valley and Botanical Gardens with Lunch (AM)
    Overnight: Marrakesh
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 12, Monday - Cooking Class, Travel to Essaouira
    This morning, enjoy a half day cooking class in an authentic Medina's Riad and learn from one of the best "Dada chefs" in town how to successfully prepare traditional Moroccan tajine and salads, as well as delicious Moroccan flatbread. After lunch, depart Marrakesh for Essaouira. Stop at the Argan Oil Women's Cooperative to learn how this skin-nutrifying elixir is extracted from the argan nut, rich in nutrients and antioxidants beneficial to skin and hair. Arrive in Essaouira in time for dinner on your own
    Overnight: Essaouira
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 13, Tuesday - Discover Essaouira, Gnawa Performance
    Seaside Essaouira has grown into an artist's enclave over the years, and this makes for a fascinating mix of ancient and modern sensibilities. You'll be introduced to its culture with a stroll through the vibrant medina and its bustling fish market. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore its inviting ancient streets. This evening, learn about traditional music during a talk with a local expert. Get the details about henna painting along with a demonstration. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail while viewing a Gnawa performance and dance*
    *Gnawa performance will sometimes operate on Day 12.
    Overnight: Essaouira
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 14, Wednesday - Travel to Casablanca & City Tour
    Transfer to Casablanca today, stopping en route for lunch in a local restaurant. Upon arrival, see the fabled city's important sights, including the Mohammed V Square, the city's administrative seat. Next, marvel at the massive Hassan II Mosque*, dramatically perched on a promontory on the Atlantic. Its indoor and outdoor space can accommodate 105,000 worshippers. In the Habous district, peruse the market and admire the exterior of the Royal Palace. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner
    *Hassan II Mosque is subject to unexpected closures for local religious observances. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager.
    Overnight: Casablanca
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 15, Thursday - Depart Morocco
    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight
    Meals: Breakfast    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019

    Got our Visas

    July 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Dropped $20 each to get our E-visas for Turkey and paid off our trip. Saved about $350 by making final payment with a check (saves 5%) Booked our hotel near JFK for the night before we fly out. Here’s a shot of Cappadocia (where we will be enjoying hot air ballooning!Read more

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