I’ve been working in varying roles in the travel industry for some 25 years. In that time I have learnt two things, firstly that my passion for travel will never wane (and that it is a privilege we can’t take for granted) and secondly that you must always expect the unexpected when working in the sector! Admittedly 2020 threw us some pretty big curveballs but the two lessons above have never rung truer.

I am pleased to share with you my 2021 bucket list, I hope you enjoy the journey of reading it, dreaming a little and perhaps in the not-too-distant future take one of the trips confident that when you travel with The Travel Corporation you can sit back and relax knowing that all the details are taken care of on your behalf. What’s more, on all Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and Trafalgar Tours  in 2021, there will be an on-road team of three – a passionate Travel Director or Traveling Concierge, a diligent driver and – new for 2021 – a dedicated  Well-Being Director to take a proactive approach to your well-being.

Highlight from a recent trip – Venice

Luxury Gold – Ultimate Italy

Back in autumn, as European borders were opening up and we enjoyed some COVID-calm moments, I was fortunate to spend a few days in Venice with my family. Dusting off that passport after not having traveled for several months and the anticipation of what was to come was very powerful and made me realize how much I missed travel. The excitement in our house was palpable. I love Venice – always have, always will but taking my kids there for their first visit when it wasn’t crowded made it even more special.

We stayed in one of my favorite hotels in Venice, Bauer Hotel which is also beloved by our Luxury Gold guests. Staying right in the heart of Venice, a stone’s throw from St. Mark’s and arriving at your hotel by water taxi never disappoints! The team was fantastic as always and the Covid-19 protocols were brilliant, and we felt perfectly at ease at all times. In my mind, there is only one ‘right way’ to do Venice and that is to stay at one of the hotels right on Venice Island instead of staying on the mainland. Being able to stroll through the narrow alleyways at night and being there when Venice comes into its own, is truly magical. At Luxury Gold, we would never do it any other way.

In the picture below you can see my family in St Mark’s square in Venice just before we sat down at Café Florian to enjoy a Bellini and a mocktail for the boys at dusk with very few people.

Another highlight, and my younger son’s favorite experience, was visiting one of the traditional glass workshops on Murano Island and watching the artisans at work. He loved it so much that his current career aspiration is to become a glass blower!

Our trip to Burano with its colorful houses and trying to spot houses in our favorite colors and eating a gelato or two a day were other highlights.

Making Travel Matter – Insight Vacations Country Roads of Andalucía

Insight Vacations Country Roads of Andalucia

As CEO of Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, it is a goal of mine to bring people together to enjoy travel but also make it a force for good. Our new trip through Andalucía does just that. Our newly created Make Travel Matter experiences advance the United Nations Global Goals and positively impact our travelers and the communities we visit. They are chosen with great care using an assessment endorsed by sustainable tourism experts which is exclusive to Insight Vacations and its sister brands.

In Seville on Insight Vacation’s Country Roads of Andalucía Tour you will visit The Cristina Heeren Foundation which aims to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco and is a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. You meet the students of the foundation, learn some basic flamenco steps, and then feel the passion as the students perform an emotional show.  The school allows students access to cultural education that otherwise may not have occurred. TreadRight’s sponsorship has helped students to complete their studies in advanced guitar, singing and dance.  As students complete their training, they will carry on and safeguard the traditional flamenco dance, contributing to the protection of Andalusia and Spain’s cultural heritage.

Connecting with my eldest – GenZ on U by Uniworld

GenZ on U by Uniworld -Vienna Vibe

My eldest son is shortly celebrating his 13th birthday, and whilst I am still trying to get over the fact that I am the mother of a teenager now, I thought it would be fun to go on The Vienna Vibe cruise together. GenZ on U by Uniworld, their new family program exclusively for teens and their parents on select U by Uniworld cruises is a perfect experience for both adults and their teen.

We’ve picked The Vienna Vibe cruise to enjoy our Austrian heritage. We are most looking forward to having a bit of a cook off in their Viennese cooking class. Come back to our blog to find out whose Schnitzel and Apple strudel is better!

Fondue

Photo by angela pham on Unsplash

Fondue is Switzerland’s national dish, its name comes from the French word fondre, meaning to melt, and that is exactly what it is! Melted cheese combined with flavorful additions. Fondue was invented out of necessity, when the locals and herders relied only on cheese, wine, and bread to get them through the cold alpine winter. When the cheese made in the summer started to dry out and the bread became hard and stale during the winter months the ingenious locals melted the hard cheese with wine and dipped the stale bread into it.

Now Fondue comes in many different guises and varies from region to region. In Fribourg they use Vacherin cheese, in Neuchatel they use Gruyére and Emmental. You can even get gourmet versions that combine truffles and champagne with the cheese.

Dig into a Fondue on our Majestic Switzerland tour, just don’t drop your bread in the cheese or the drinks round is on you!

Paella

Photo by Kaitlin Dowis on Unsplash

Originally created in Valencia paella is a combination of saffron-flavored rice with a wide array of additional ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, or meat. Its name is derived from a traditional shallow pan; a paellera or paella. Always served in the pan, this Spanish classic can be found everywhere in the country, in an endless number of combinations.

Why not try to sample different paellas on our Spain and Portugal in Style tour?

Ceviche

Photo by Goya foods

Ceviche is the national dish of Peru consisting of slices of freshly caught raw fish or shellfish that is spiced with salt, onions, and chili peppers, then marinated in lime juice. Due to the acidity of the marinade the meat is ‘cooked’ without any heat and the texture of the fish changes. Traditionally served in specialized ceviche restaurants called cevicherias, ceviche has an aroma of the sea with a slightly spicy and acid flavour. It can be served The flavors of ceviche are slightly acidic and spicy, with an intense aroma of the sea.

Eat authentic ceviche in Peru with us on our Treasures of the Incas Journey!

Tandoori Chicken

Photo by Maunika Gowardhan

Its name derived from the Persian word tannur, meaning fire, Tandoori chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Indian cuisine. This unique dish which is traditionally cooked at high temperatures in a clay over called a tandoor consists of chicken meat that is marinated in yogurt, seasoned with tandoori masala, nutmeg, and cumin, then placed on skewers. The clay oven results in a succulent meat that is crispy on the outside with a smokey flavour.

Eat Tandoori chicken or a dish derived from it Chicken Tikka Masala on our Spirit of North and South India Tour

Ramen

Photo by GoodEats YQR on Unsplash

Ramen is a noodle soup that first appeared in Japan in the early 20th century. Chinese cooks mixed the curly noodles that are bright yellow and more elastic than the noodles prepared at the time in Japan with a salty broth. The dish can be either kotteri (rich) or assari/paitan (light), depending on the opaqueness and the heaviness of the broth. Ramen should be cooked al dente and eaten quickly so that the noodles don’t become too soft and mushy from sitting in the broth. Ramen is now one of the most popular dishes in the world but the original expansion out of Japan was made by Nissin Foods when it produced the first-ever instant version of the noodles.

Enjoy fresh Ramen on our Majestic Japan Journey!

A showcase of beautiful wildernesses, eclectic cultures, warm hospitality and rich heritage, this journey will take you from cosmopolitan Cape Town into the heart of Big Five territory. Uncover the history of South Africa, while luxuriously travelling like the intrepid explorers of the past. Meet extraordinary local characters and taste the Cape’s finest wines and culinary delights. Your journey concludes with a three-day safari in the Sabi Sands, known for having one of the planet’s highest concentrations of animal species.

This trip includes a stay at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, nestled between Table Mountain and 12 Apostles mountain range, offering amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. Join your Travelling Concierge and travel companions for an exquisite welcome dinner, hosted at the hotel’s award-winning Azure restaurant. Enjoy expansive ocean views from the terrace as you experience fine dining of modern South African cuisine infused with international influences. Inspired by the ocean, the menu boasts an array of dishes prepared with seasonally organic ingredients.

View our Spectacular South Africa itinerary

2. Travel like British royalty

Uncover the very essence of Britain and go to significant destinations that were once frequented by the likes of Shakespeare and notorious kings. As you travel in elegant style, stay at the most sought-after addresses in Britain, dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant and savour local specialities. From the beautiful Georgian city of Bath to the mesmerising Lake District, this is a journey of a lifetime.

This trip includes a stay at the five-star Rubens at the Palace Hotel, overlooking Buckingham Palace, this historic hotel has been fully renovated and offers a host of restaurants and bars. Join your Travelling Concierge and travel companions for a grand welcome dinner hosted in the elegant English Grill restaurant.

View our British Royale itinerary

3. Indulge in breath-taking landscapes of the Emerald Isle

Welcome to the Emerald Isle. A storyteller’s paradise, you’ll explore the natural elements of this vibrant country, meeting some colourful characters along the way. From esteemed author and Dubliner Trevor White, to Killarney locals and the lively performers of Gaelic Roots – who will teach you a few moves – you’re in for a trip rich in history, fascinating local insights and lots of laughter! We are certain the breath-taking landscapes and lyrical personality will have you leaving this rugged, fairytale land inspired.

This trip includes a stay at Ashford Castle. Your royal adventure begins when you enter through the grand stone gates of our remarkable 800-year-old castle and are led with a lone piper across the bridge to the castle. Discover our exquisite interiors, delicious cuisine, passionate team, a wealth of estate activities and state-of-the-art spa. As a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, Ireland’s first Forbes five-star and former home of the Guinness family, Ashford are exceptional in every sense. In the evening you will dine at Cullen’s at the Cottage, on the grounds of Ashford Castle this traditional thatched cottage used to be Cong Cinema.

During your leisure time why not head for a walk in its grounds and take in the plush exterior and crisp, fresh country air? Experience Ashford Castle your way with a choice between a unique falconry experience or scrumptious Afternoon Tea. Your final day culminates with a celebration dinner at the esteemed George V Dining Room. Built specially for King George V in 1905, this room bestows a grand sense of occasion. Dine like royalty and share stories from the journey with your new-found friends, over dinner and wine.

View our Ultimate Ireland itinerary

4. Discover castles and kingdoms of Britain and Ireland

Head to the Islands of Britain and Ireland for a stately journey across rugged, fairy-tale lands. A storyteller’s paradise, you’ll uncover the essence of Britain and the natural elements of Ireland, meeting some colourful characters along the way. From esteemed author and Dubliner Trevor White, to Killarney locals and a Royal House Guard in London, you’re in for a trip rich in history, with fascinating local insights and lots of laughter! Travel in elegant style, stay at the most sought-after addresses, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants and savour local specialities. And of course, no trip to this part of the world would be complete without trying esteemed local delicacies, including Guinness in Ireland and a delicious English scone.

This trip includes an overnight stay at both the Rubens at the Palace and Ashford Castle.

View our Castles and Kingdoms itinerary

5. Marvel at majestic views of Switzerland

Step into a world of snow-capped mountains, traditional alpine villages and warm hospitality. This idyllic journey takes you to fairy-tale castles, breath-taking peaks and storybook meadows. Along the way you’ll meet local experts and passionate foodies who will share local specialties, such as fondue and creamy chocolate, with you. Stay in luxurious hotels, see beautiful cities and marvel at some of the most extraordinary scenery on the planet.

This trip includes a stay at Hotel d’Angleterre, perfectly situated on the banks of the Lake. Voted the number one hotel in Switzerland by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017, the hotel blends British charm with the finest Swiss hospitality.

View our Majestic Switzerland itinerary.