Memorable Journeys: Travel Stories, Tips & News

My friends dream was to tour the Norwegian coast. I had received the Vantage Catalog and was intrigued. My husband said he'd go too so we made reservations last July. We went on the Norwegian Trip April 19th and returned May 5th. It was definitely the off season with cooler weather but we had the ship almost to ourselves. The tour group was small and intimate and the tour guy absolutely fantastic! We loved the smaller Hurtigruten ship-The MS Richard With. The scenery was incredible and the food memorable! Vantage gave us 5 tours that valued well over $2000/person. Norway is not a cheap place to visit so this was a big plus in our book! This was our first Vantage tour but it won't be our last. We are sold on the smaller ship tours and would highly recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys good scenery and a very relaxed atmosphere!

Name: Brenda Hanks
City: Farmington
State: MN
Trip: European Small Ship Cruises / Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★

                                           Best Value Ever – our 2013 prices are now LESS than 2012!

New For 2013 - Cruise Southern France on our own Deluxe ms River Navigator! Plus, the value is even better! Our 2013 Prices are now lower than 2012! Rejoice in an enchanting river cruise that is a true French feast for the senses. From the grand boulevards of Paris to the Belle Époque palaces of Nice, you'll sail along the Saône and Rhône Rivers through robust Burgundy to enchanting Provence, where the magical light inspired the timeless paintings of Van Gogh and Gauguin.

Epicurean delights await you with ... a visit to Dijon, renowned for its culinary wineries, cheeses, and mustard ... a walk through Halles de Lyon, the famous food market where gourmet chefs select ingredients ... and a sampling of local wines from the vineyards of the Côte du Rhone.

This fabulous French River cruise is on the 5-star ms River Navigator exclusively designed for the Vantage traveler, included sightseeing & Cultural Connections, most meals, 3 Vantage European Program Managers, and more! 

2012 departures are selling out – Reserve your 2013 French river cruise today!
French Waterways: Highlights of Burgundy & Provence

Don't miss out on this experience of a lifetime. All 2013 departures are now open for sale, so be sure to reserve now for the best date! One of our experienced, courteous Vantage Travel Consultants would be happy to answer any of your questions and assist you with every detail of your trip.

Viva la France! Make 2013 the time to experience fantastic French cuisine, delightful sightseeing, and so much more!

French Waterways: Highlights of Burgundy & Provence

Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:

• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube 
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium 
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa

For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.

We were treated like royalty until the cruise had to be halted in Bratislava due to engine problems. They did provide a day's activities while the main office arranged alternate flights home. However, we object to the way we were informed of the trouble. "We have good news and bad news," one program manager said, and then she proceeded to tell us as if it were a joke. We couldn't understand if she was serious, and then the second program manager started to tell us about the next day's activities. She got angry when the people wouldn't listen, and they didn't give us time to digest what had happened or to ask questions. This engine failure report should have come from the captain(through a translator) and should have been explained more professionally.
We have been home 3 weeks and there has not been a letter (promised by 2 phone reps) of explanation or apology or clarification. Our current options are unclear. Trip Mate has sent a card indicating that they are processing our claim.

Name: Mark & Joyce Minor
City: Morehead
State: KY
Trip: European River Cruises
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★

What discoveries will you make in 2012 and 2013? From the towering Andes to the depths of the Great Barrier Reef, our new Discoveries by Vantage — amazing journeys at an unmatched value by land and small ship — takes you to some of the most remarkable places on earth.

Unveiled less than two months ago, Discoveries by Vantage has already been extremely well received by Vantage travelers like you. In fact, 2013 dates on our popular African safari tours and our new President's Patagonia Cruisetour are already starting to sell out and a very limited amount of space remains on our 2012 Discoveries by Vantage journeys. There is still time to book a summer or fall trip — but only if you hurry! 

Click here to view our latest eCatalog features amazing journey and incredible prices!

I have never been on a trip where everyone tried so hard to please and I have taken a lot of tours. I was especially impressed by the executive chef Predrag. He came around to each table at each meal to make sure that we enjoyed our food. He truly loved cooking and people.
The countries were as I expected them to be and the tulips were at their peak. I am looking forward to another river cruise with Vantage.

Name: Karen Thornton
City: Grand Blanc
State: Mi
Trip: European River Cruises / Waterways of Holland and Belgium: Tulips, Windmills & Canals 
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★

Choose from 5 unique river voyages each with incredible deals

Call 1 800 322 6677 and mention promo code FB00200 when you book!

Plan your exciting Spring or Summer river cruise with us and take advantage of amazing offers! There has never been a better time to embark on a leisurely river cruise through the heart of Europe...

River cruising is the best way to travel! Cruise through fascinating ports and charming villages, unpacking just once and enjoying deluxe amenities and fine cuisine.

Plus, we're offering the best pricing of the year! The only challenge you'll face is simply picking which one of these magical itineraries excites you the most!

Click here for offer and trip info.

Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:

• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube 
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium 
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa

For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.

The Christ Redeemer statue from the beach in front of our hotel

Name: Jim & Charlotte Leach
City:
State:
Trip: South America Escorted Land Tours / South America: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

Discoveries by Vantage is pleased to reintroduce one of our customers’ all-time favorite destinations — Egypt! With two amazing itineraries to choose from and unbeatable introductory prices, Egypt is yours to discover with savings of up to $3,500 per couple. With our small group discoveries of just 24–26 travelers per departure, you’ll explore this ancient land of wonders at a more comfortable pace.

Join us for our 14-day Egypt & a Deluxe Nile Cruise discovery, now from just $171 a day, and you'll travel from Cairo to Luxor and enjoy a 7-night Nile cruise. Or, choose our 16-day Egypt & the Nile: Land of the Pharaoh's itinerary, now from just $187 a day, and you'll travel from Aswan to Cairo, taking 2 cruises along the way -- one on the Nile and another on Lake Nasser.

With 98% of our past travelers rating their Egyptian experience as "Excellent" upon their return, Discoveries by Vantage has a long history of showing Egypt at its best -- and 2012 is no different.

Plus, you can take advantage of special introductory prices when you book by May 13! 

Act now to secure your spot on these limited 2012 departures, and you'll enjoy Special Introductory Savings of up to $3,500 per couple and the Best Selection of departure dates & cabins for fall 2012!
But hurry — you must reserve by May 13, 2012 to take advantage of these special introductory savings. Call us toll-free at 1-800-322-6677 to book your Egyptian discovery today! 

Click here for trip info on our small ship cruise, Egypt & a Deluxe Nile Cruise.

Click here for trip info on our small ship cruise, Egypt & the Nile: Land of the Pharaoh's

Cream of Roasted Garlic Soup

Recipe from Soup Cookbook: Health in the Bowl by Predrag Mrkalj. This dish is available on our ms River Discovery II!

Velvety smooth and full of fragrant garlic, this simple soup is homey and comforting, served in small portions, making it the perfect appetizer.

Predrag Mrkalj is one of Vantage's Executive Chefs who cooks for our guests aboard our newest European River cruise ship, the ms River Discovery II! Below is his amazing recipe for French Onion Soup! This soup is just one of the amazing creations by Chef Mrkalj that you'll find onboard.

Cream of Romanesco

Recipe from Soup Cookbook: Health in the Bowl by Predrag Mrkalj. This dish is available on our ms River Discovery II!

Ingredients: 

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion finely chopped

2 tbsp plain flour

3 cups vegetable of chicken stock

1 lb broccoli cut into small florets

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 tsp grated nutmeg

Salt and black pepper

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook gently for about 4 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the stock. Add the broccoli and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 7 minutes, or until broccoli is tender. Process soup in a food processor or blender until smooth. Return blended mixture to the saucepas. Stir in milk, nutmeg, salt adn pepper, and heat through.

Predrag Mrkalj is one of Vantage's Executive Chefs who cooks for our guests aboard our newest European River cruise ship, the ms River Discovery II! Below is his amazing recipe for French Onion Soup! This soup is just one of the amazing creations by Chef Mrkalj that you'll find onboard.

Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:

• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube 
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium 
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa

For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.

Cream of Celery Soup

Recipe from Soup Cookbook: Health in the Bowl by Predrag Mrkalj. This dish is available on our ms River Discovery II!

Sherry brings an interesting edge to the flavor of this smooth, creamy soup, studded with chunks of tender, mild celery. 

Ingredients:

1 head of celery

3 tablespoons of butter

1 onion finely chopped

2 tbsp plain flour

4 cups chicken or vegetable stock

3/4 cup sherry

1/2 cream

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Salt and black pepper

Directions:

Cut one celery stick into short fine sticks and set aside for garnishing the soup. Thinly slice the remaining celery and set aside. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook gently for 4 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute, then gradually stir in the stock. Add sliced celery and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the celery is tender. Pour half of the soup in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Return blended soup to sauce pan. Stir in the sherry, cream and parsley and warm through without boiling. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with celery sticks. Enjoy! 

Predrag Mrkalj is one of Vantage's Executive Chefs who cooks for our guests aboard our newest European River cruise ship, the ms River Discovery II! Below is his amazing recipe for Ginger Carrot Soup! This soup is just one of the amazing creations by Chef Mrkalj that you'll find onboard.

Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:

• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube 
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium 
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa

For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.

Banana Yogurt Soup 

Recipe from Soup Cookbook: Health in the Bowl by Predrag Mrkalj. This dish is offered onboard the ms River Discovery II!

This light, elegant soup males a stylish appetizer before a special meal usually for lunch time. It's particularly good in summer, when bananas are ripe and overripe. You can also serve this as a refreshing dessert.

Ingredients:

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup butter milk

1/4 cup cream

1/2 pounds overripe banana

1/2 vanilla ice cream

sugar to taste

Banana or chocolate shavings to garnish

Directions:

Puree the bananas in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add the dairy products together with ice cream and pulse briefly to combine. Pout the soup into a large bowl. Adjust taste to your preference by adding sugar (or other sweetener), then chill for at least 2 hours or until ready for use. Ladle the soup into the bowls. Sprinkle each chocolate shavings and garnish with fresh banana slices.

Predrag Mrkalj is one of Vantage's Executive Chefs who cooks for our guests aboard our newest European River cruise ship, the ms River Discovery II! Below is his amazing recipe for Banana Yogurt Soup! This soup is just one of the amazing creations by Chef Mrkalj that you'll find onboard.

Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:

• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube 
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium 
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa

For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.

BEST DEALS OF 2012 including 2-for-1 offers or BETTER! 7 unique cruisetours to choose from!

HURRY offer ends 5/7/12! Call 1 800 322 6677 and mention promo code WB62400 to receive these discounts! Click here for details: http://bit.ly/2012DEALS
 

Enjoy incredible savings on:

Romance of the Blue Danube

Casltes Along the Rhine & Danube

Eastern Europe & the Black Sea

Grand European River Cruise: from the North Sea to the Black Sea

Imperial Russian Waterways: Moscow & St. Petersburg

Holland and Belgium & the Floraide

French Waterways: Highlights of Burgundy & Provence

My wife and I dreamed of some day traveling to Russia. We both have relatives who came from middle Europe. While talking with friends, our conversation turned to travel. They brought out an album of the trip we wanted to take. After showing it to us we decided to give it a try. Well our friends had taken the river cruise with Vantage before so they were not interested. We said well, if you are not going, neither are we. We also called a cousin from North Carolina and this was also a dream trip for her so the five of us went. The trip went smoothly and we saw all the sights of Russia we wanted to see. We ate at a Russian home in Uglich. What a warm and friendly person she was. The scenery along the river was beautiful. The churches were amazing in architecture and the iconography. The acoustics in the churches were phenomenal. The groups that performed liturgical music were superb. We heard male acapella and a mixed voice choir in Uglich. The treasures of the Russian art were beautiful especially the Tretiakov art gallery. Red Square, Catherine's palace, the Hermitage, the ballet, the people on the ship, all contributed to a marvelous experience. We all learned a little Russian, some learned to cook Russian blini, and pelmeni aboard the vessel. The tour guides were friendly and most knowledgeable all leading up the the thrill of a lifetime. We also took a side trip to Kiev in the Ukraine. The trip was three days and well worth the extra time. If you are traveling all that distance to Russia, why not see Kiev in the Ukraine? It was a marvelous experience. By traveling with Vantage, everything was done for us. The lectures, the food which was excellent, wine with dinner, the costumed servers with their smiles all contributed to a fantastic trip. Now my goal is to take another river cruise with Vantage and experience more of the European culture.

Name: Paul Hilko
City: Port Saint Lucie
State: FL
Trip: European River Cruises / Imperial Russian Waterways: Moscow to St. Petersburg
Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★

You're cordially invited to join us for the travel event of the year: our 2013 President's Patagonia Cruisetour: The Majestic Andes & Chilean Fjords. If you can dream of exploring the outlying destinations that inspire the true traveler, this this unforgettable exploration is for you. 

Throughout this extraordinary journey, you'll enjoy Deluxe accommodations, including 2 days in Torres Del Pain National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 5 days cruising through Southern Patagonia's dramatic fjords aboard the exclusively chartered M/V Skorpios III, in small groups of 26 travelers, private sightseeing tours... and of course an array of special  Presidential extras, from an exclusive visit to a Chilean Winery to a Presidential Gala even at a historic palace in Buenos Aires. 

However, we can offer just 3 departures: January 9, 30, and March 6, 2013. Please let us know as soon as possible if you will be joining us next winter!

Click here for details, dates & prices for this amazing South American tour!  

Call 1 800 322 6677 to book!

The Vantage Avengers are training hard having walked 15 miles last weekend and are walking another 20 miles this Sunday! 

Every three minutes someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer and a staggering 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer. On May 19th and 20th, a group of Vantage’s Boston-based employees are doing their part to raise awareness and help support funding for this devastating disease by participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The walk will take place in the Boston area over 2 days, and is 39.3 miles in length!

With a training schedule in place, the Vantage Avengers are determined to complete the 39.3 miles, while each committed to raising $1,800 – and Vantage is matching all donations up to $25,000!  To help support our team, The Vantage Avengers, please click the button below to visit our page and make a donation today!

Vantage Deluxe World Travel knows that it's important for our employees to experience our wonderful trips firsthand- that's why all employees are strongly encouraged to take a Familiarization (FAM) trip. These trips are intended to familiarize associates with the great products Vantage offers. They are an invaluable opportunity to live our customers' experience and to travel to exciting and varied destinations! Below Vantage employee, Christel Shea, describes her time in China!

It’s been a few weeks since I returned from my trip to Vietnam and Cambodia on Vantage’s Mekong River cruise, and people are still asking me about the journey and what I liked best. 
Certainly the tropical weather is a nice change from March in New England! And the food is fantastic – fresh and flavorful fish and exotic fruits and vegetables for lunch and dinner, with just enough western food options to not feel overwhelmed by curries and spices. The iconic architecture, including the pagodas of Phnom Penh, the temples of Angkor Wat and the colonial influences throughout Saigon, made me feel like I was truly in another place and time.
 
A benefit of any cruise is that you get to see so much while being settled, without packing and feeling on the move all the time. The Pandaw ship “fit” with the area—dark woods, a lot of open spaces to sit and relax and just take in the scenery, and plenty of a/c in our cabins and the lounge when you needed it. The staff was excellent, friendly and just solicitous enough.
 
The most enlightening part of the experience was our interaction with people in this region. Our guides, the ship’s crew and the local residents we met along the way were warm and welcoming. They taught us about their religions and culture, which are deep and complex, and they shared their personal stories and points of view about the area’s history – also deep and complex. As my friend put it, people there have a “move forward mentality,” and their grace, dignity and resilience are driving tourism and economic growth to the area.
 
We often bundle “Southeast Asia” together. It’s not until one is there talking to people and seeing villages and cities first-hand that you really realize how unique each country is. Like the US, Canada and Mexico, these countries are “same-same, but different.” And after spending some time there, you’ll come home same-same but different, too. 

Christel Shea, Director of Customer Service at Vantage Travel 

Here is a list of our top 10 destinations that have received raving reviews:

• Castles Along the Rhine & Danube 
• Waterways of Holland & Belgium 
• Imperial Russian Waterways
• Romance of the Blue Danube
• French Waterways
• Best of Africa
• Gateway to the Black Sea
• Switzerland & the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle
• Grand Norwegian Coastal Voyage
• Heart of Africa

For trip information visit our website.
To read Customer Reviews click here.
For great travel tips, check out 151 Travel Tips.
For information on Small Group Travel, click here.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,YouTube & Flickr.