Slovenia: Small But Mighty
Slovenia, although small, has a huge range of diverse topographies. Ocean coastlines on the Adriatic, alpine valleys, snow capped mountains, river valleys, wine regions, and enormous underground cave systems are just a few of Slovenia’s natural wonders.
Find out what makes Slovenia so special.
Arctic Cruises
While Antarctica is on most cruisers’ budget lists, a cruise to the Arctic also deserves a place high up on most cruisers lists.
Whether sailing around Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, cruising the Northwest Passage, or taking a luxury ice breaker to the geographic North Pole, Arctic cruises have a lot to offer.
Why is Spain so popular?
Spain has a lot of offer visitors, so it’s no surprise that it’s the 2nd most popular destination in Europe for my clients, and the second most popular country for tourism, attracting over 85 million visitors.
Learn about the most popular cities and regions in this very popular country.
Northern European Cruises
While mention of a European cruise likely brings up images of cruising the Mediterranean, Northern Europe has just as much to offer to cruisers.
Learn about the types of cruises available along Northern Europe’s coastlines.
Iceland: A Land of Fire & Ice
Iceland is a fascinating country that packs a lot of adventure into a relatively small location. Find out more about what Iceland can offer visitors, including hot springs, extinct lava caves, geothermal bakeries, glaciers, ice caves, and glacier lagoons.
Alaskan Cruises
An Alaskan cruise can be a great vacation options for travelers of all ages. Find out what is special about an Alaskan cruise, what you can see & do, and the best time to cruise the Alaskan coast.
Multi-Generational Travel
What does it take to plan a good multi-generational trip? What are the options for accommodations and where should you go?
Find out in my blog post on Multi-Generational Travel.
Exotic River Cruises
When travelers hear the words “river cruise”, their first thoughts are probably of traditional European river cruises on the Rhine or Danube. However, the river cruise lines have expanded to sail on many of the famous rivers of the world. Learn about a few of the more exotic rivers and itineraries being offered by some of the best luxury river cruise lines.
Warm Weather Getaways
While the holiday season is a popular time for vacationers to travel to warmer destinations, this curated list of luxury properties and destinations is also perfect for fall getaways and family spring break trips.
Those with flexibility in their travel dates might also consider travel in Jan/Feb, outside of the peak travel periods for these locations.
Asia Cruises
A cruise through Asia can be a great way to sample this region of the world. While shorter weeklong cruises are popular in other parts of the world (e.g. the Mediterranean), cruises in Asia tend to be longer, from 10 days to upwards of 4 weeks. Travelers may also want to budget a few extra travel days for pre- and post-cruise exploration, as the cruises tend to start and end in major cities such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Travel Insurance 101
Travel insurance can be confusing for those who have never used it before. This guide will give a high-level overview of travel insurance, including what kinds of travel insurance are available, what it covers, how travelers benefit from having travel insurance, what to consider when evaluating travel insurance, and where to get travel insurance.
South American Cruises
South America is a popular destination for North American and a luxury cruise is a great way to explore the variety of experiences that South America can offer, from rainforests to glaciers, vibrant modern cities to ancient ruins. South America cruise itineraries are common from October to March each year, which means now is the perfect time to consider a cruise for the upcoming 2024/2025 cruise season.
Sailing the Virgin Islands on a Crewed Catamaran
My recap of our weeklong sailing on Huntress, a crewed Lagoon 620 catamaran, in the Virgin Islands. Learn what it’s like to sail the Virgin Islands, including common areas to visit, what activities are available on a catamaran, what culinary wonders your private chef can prepare, and how a good crew can help create special memories for your travel group.
Cruise the Norwegian Fjords
Norway cruises are popular in the summer months and most luxury cruise lines offer several sailings each summer. Shorter sailings of only 7 nights can provide a taste of Norway and the fjords, while longer cruises may sail farther north along the Norwegian coastline or add stops on the Baltic Sea.
Australia: The Wonderful Land Down Under
A trip to Australia can be a wonderful vacation and you should budget at least 2 weeks to even see a meaningful portion of the country. Learn about the most popular places to visit and why the Land Down Under should be on your short list for your next vacation.
Antarctica Cruises
A major bucket list for many travelers is a cruise to visit Antarctica. The typical cruising season is from November to February and cruise lines offer a variety of itinerary options to fit the travel windows and budgets of most travelers. Learn more about the options for an Antarctica cruise.
Why you should create a multi-year travel plan
Multi-year travel roadmaps pay big dividends for the planning process and my clients’ eventual travel experiences. And they are not complicated to create. Learn who would benefit from a multi-year travel plan, how to create one, and the benefits you would get from having your own personalized plan.
Live from the EXPLORA I
I’ve been sailing on Explora Journeys’ new EXPLORA I on a “workation” in the Caribbean for the past week. Learn more about this wonderful new entry to the ultra-luxury cruise market and how to combine work with vacation on a luxury cruise.
Luxury Safaris 101
A luxury safari is a bucket list trip for many travelers. Find out when you should travel, where you can go, what you can see and do, and how a luxury safari elevates the travel experience.
Holiday Market Cruises
Holiday market cruises are special cruises offered by many of the river cruise lines, sailing from the end of November through Christmas. The cruise itineraries sail many of the rivers in Europe, visiting riverside towns that have set up spectacular holiday markets.
What’s So Special About Morocco
Morocco is a wonderful country with a lot of variety in the cities and geography and many different activities and adventures. It has something for everyone and there is no standard itinerary that will appeal to every traveler. Find out why Morocco should be on your short list for your next vacation!
Chartering A Crewed Boat Or Yacht
Think private charters are only for movie stars, professional athletes, and the super-wealthy? They are not and a mid-sized boat charter can compare in cost to a moderate luxury land vacation while providing a better vacation experience.
Why Croatia Should Be on Your Future Vacation Short List
Learn why Croatia has become a popular destination for vacationers and deserves to be on any world traveler’s short list of countries to visit next.
Read More Why Croatia Should Be on Your Future Vacation Short List
Getting to know Ponant Cruises
Can you name the only luxury French cruise line? Can you name the only cruise line to have a Polar-Class 2 luxury icebreaker, capable of traveling through ice four meters thick and reaching the true North Pole? How about naming the only cruise line with a lounge below the water line, with two large portals where guests can view the underwater animal life, and hydrophones attached to the hull to bring the sounds of the ocean into the lounge? It’s Ponant Cruises!
Where to Travel for Spring Break
Spring break is a popular time for families to travel, but the timing can challenge trips to many parts of the world. I created this guide to highlight places I think are well suited for a spring break trip.
The Newest Ships To Join The Luxury Cruise Line Fleets
Every ship improves on the design of the last and strives to provide a better onboard experience for guests. For luxury cruise lines, the evolution has led to ships with all-veranda suites (because who doesn’t like their own private outdoor space), a move away from a main restaurant towards more variety in dining venues, and improved common areas that ensure the ships feel spacious and uncrowded. Read this blog post to learn about a few ships that have or will launch in 2023 and how they are evolving the luxury cruising experience.
Read More The Newest Ships To Join The Luxury Cruise Line Fleets
Summer in Paris & Berlin
This weeks blog is a recap of our summer trip to Paris & Berlin, with a sample of what these great cities have to offer. I also highlight the challenges created by the high renewal times for passports.
Mediterranean Cruises
Mediterranean ocean cruises are one of the most popular cruise options for both experienced cruisers and new cruisers alike. These cruises are popular because they visit many beautiful European ports, can visit multiple countries even on shorter 7-9 day itineraries, and generally start and end in major European cities making flights to/from the cruise easy and allowing pre/post cruise stays in these fascinating cities.
Client Trip Spotlight: A family of four in Portugal & Spain
Learn about a recent client trip to Spain & Portugal and what it’s like to work with us to plan a bespoke vacation.
Read More Client Trip Spotlight: A family of four in Portugal & Spain
River Cruises
For those new to cruising, a river cruise can be a great option for a first cruise. They are also a great option for travelers worried about motion sickness, as the ship movement of river ships is almost undetectable by guests. While river cruises do not cover the same distances as ocean cruises, they do allow travelers to immerse themselves in the regions of travel and enjoy the scenery as the ships slowly travel up or down stream.
Sailing the Galapagos Islands on Silversea’s Silver Origin
A cruise is one of the best ways to see the Galapagos Islands. Read my review of our family trip on Silversea’s Silver Origin and our experience in the Galapagos.
Read More Sailing the Galapagos Islands on Silversea’s Silver Origin
Caribbean Cruises
While Caribbean cruises are almost synonymous with the mainstream cruise lines and their mega ships, the luxury cruise lines also offer options with 5-star service, cuisine, and experiences. Find out why a luxury Caribbean cruise is a great alternative to a luxury resort in the Caribbean or Mexico.
Alternatives to Europe’s most popular and expensive countries
By David Barclay | June 14, 2023 2023 is setting new records for travel to Europe and eclipsing the incredible travel demand of 2022. The most popular places to visit in Europe are more crowded, have low availability of accommodations, drivers, and guides. And as expected from basic economics, with higher demand comes higher prices. …
Read More Alternatives to Europe’s most popular and expensive countries
World Cruise Itineraries
World Cruises are bucket list itineraries that take guests on a world exploring adventure for 4+ months. Deciding to book a World Cruise is not a spur of the moment decision, it can take years of planning (and saving) to ensure the right cruise is selected.
Türkiye by Sea (Part 2)
The second week of a two-week journey to Turkey, spent exploring Turkey by sea. Learn about the Turkish gulet we chartered and our adventures sailing around the Aegean Sea and the Turkish Coast.
Cruising Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are two incredible countries and should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. Learn why a cruise can be a great way to explore these two countries.
Türkiye by Land (Part 1)
The first week of a two-week journey to Turkey, focused on exploring Turkey by land. Learn about Istanbul, the city where Europe meets Asia, and Cappadocia, where ancient cave cities and unique geological formations abound.
Expedition Cruising
Expedition cruising is increasing in popularity and appealing to both new and younger cruisers. Learn more about where you can go & what you can see on an expedition cruise.
Castle Hot Springs: An Oasis in the Desert
Castle Hot Springs is an exceptional boutique luxury resort located in the desert outside of Phoenix, AZ.
Read our review from a recent 4-night stay at this unique property.
Luxury Yachting & Small Ship Experiences
Within the luxury cruise world, the “small ship” sub-segment is gaining in popularity. These ships carry fewer than 350 passengers, delivering a more intimate on board experience but still delivering an exquisite luxury vacation.
Cruising in a Post-Pandemic World
Learn how cruising has changed since COVID-19 upended the industry and why it is safer and more enjoyable to cruise now than before the pandemic.
Cruising Regional Spotlight – Alaska
From its breathtaking scenery to its incredible wildlife, the Alaska and British Columbia coastline is worthy of being on everyone’s bucket list.
A Family Trip to Spain
This weeks blog is a recap of our trip to Spain. I cover a fairly common travel issue (flight delays) and how our family overcame our challenges. I also provide highlights of our time in Barcelona and Seville. I hope it provides some ideas for your future family vacations.
Spotlight on Explora Journeys
One of the new entrants to the luxury cruise world, learn why you should consider this new luxury cruise line for your next vacation!
What is a Luxury Cruise and Why You Should Try One
A luxury cruise is more than just an ordinary cruise experience. Luxury cruise ships are 5-star resorts on the sea, that can take you on global safaris and allow you to explore every region of the world. Read more about why a luxury cruise might be right for you.
Read More What is a Luxury Cruise and Why You Should Try One
5 ways to sail the Galapagos
Expedition cruises take you to hard to reach locations that can either only be reached by or are best explored by ship. And one of the most well known places for an expedition cruise is the Galapagos Islands archipelago.
A 13 Year Old’s Trip to Europe
When children travel, I suggest they keep a travel log or other method for documenting their travel. For a recent trip to Europe, my son decided to document his trip through a travel blog post. Read on to view travel through the eyes of a 13 year old!
The Latest Cruise Lines to Enter the Luxury Cruise Segment
Interest in luxury cruising is growing rapidly and this growth has attracted the attention of well-known players in the travel industry. Read about three new entrants to the luxury cruise segment that are bringing their own unique offerings to the seas.
Read More The Latest Cruise Lines to Enter the Luxury Cruise Segment
Why You Should Work With A Travel Advisor
Unsure if you should use a travel advisor to assist with planning your leisure travel? Curious about the value that a trusted travel advisor can bring to the table? Read my Top 8 reasons why you should use a travel advisor to assist with your next vacation.
Chartering a Turkish Gulet
Have you ever dreamed of chartering your own private yacht but thought that was only for the rich and famous? That’s not the case in Turkey, where you can charter a fully crewed luxury sailing vessel for the same per person cost as other moderate luxury vacation options.
Managing the Complexity of International Travel
International travel is complicated and rules are changing all of the time. COVID was just the latest challenge we faced, but even as COVID related restrictions abate, new complications to travel have arisen. Learn about some of the newest challenges to travel and ways to overcome them so they don’t spoil your next vacation.
Why You Should Try A Cruise
Although many travelers don’t think they would like cruising, I disagree. The perception that cruising only involves mega ships filled with thousands of passengers or that it is only for older/retired travelers does not reflect today’s cruising options. From ultra-luxury ships which rival 5-star resorts on land, to expedition voyages to the farthest regions of the globe, to river cruises down some of the world’s most famous waterways, and everything in between, there is a perfect cruising experience for everyone.
In today’s blog I provide an overview of cruising and why anyone can find a perfect vacation option on a cruise ship.
A new business is born!
Thank you for reading my inaugural blog post as I launch Barclay & Company Travel. You may be curious why I left a successful career in the corporate world to strike out on my own and launch a business in an industry I have not worked in previously.
If so, please read on for the story of the birth of Barclay & Company Travel.