Monday, April 25, 2016

Travelling to write: 5 writing retreats

In mulling about for ideas to kickstart my creativity, I've started thinking about going on a writing retreat. I know these exist, but don't know much more, so I set out to research where one might travel to participate in a writing retreat. As its an interest of many, I thought I'd share my discoveries.

Here are 5 writing retreats that made me want to pack my bags:

You can write sitting where Hemmingway did at Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center Writers' Retreats, which are held in Hemmingway's Barn Studio in Piggott, Arkansas, USA. I liked how budget-friendly this one was, and how they change their coaches with each session.
IMGP0068
The Tuscany Writing Retreat is held in
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
creative commons image bramhall/Flickr
The Tuscany Writing Retreat, with Cary Tennis, is situated in the medieval hill town of Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy and is timed to coincide with two local festivals. Oh, still my beating heart...
The Greece Writer's Retreat, with Julie Maloney on the Greek island of Alonnisos, spoke to my longing to return to Greece.

At the Skyros Writing Lab, on the Greek island of Skyros (where Achilles hung out), there area  variety of writing retreat options. Could it be any more idyllic?

Writing Retreats with Creative Revolution Retreats are held at different destinations. The next one is in Nicaragua, and it sounds like a pretty nice setting.

It would be hard to pick just one!
In doing my research, I really liked this piece, 25 Incredible Writing Retreats to Attend in 2016, as it contains a range of possibilities from around the globe, from expensive to not-so-expensive. I found some of the above from this piece, and the reader's comments.

There are retreats everywhere, from Iceland and Denmark to Mexico and Scotland, so if you yearn to transplant yourself to a new setting to immerse yourself on writing, there is a world of possibilities out there.

If you've travelled to attend a writing retreat, I'd love to hear your experiences.

If you're inclined to travel to a participate in a writing retreat - or just to a quiet place to write - I'd be happy to help you with your travel arrangements. Please feel free to contact me.

Related links
Choosing a Writing Retreat? Watch Out for These 6 Red Flags
How to Choose a Writing Residency or Retreat
26 Amazing Writing Residencies You Should Apply for This Year
Etruscan Italy - a self-guided tour

Monday, April 11, 2016

Etruscan Italy - a self-guided tour

Part of the Etruscan temple reconstruction
on the grounds at Villa Guilia in Rome 
Discovered an interesting 7-10 day "Tour of Etruscan Italy" in the new DK EyeWitness Guide Italy (2016, page 17). Enjoyed reading it, following the itinerary.

Beginning in Rome, sites include treasures in the Etruscan Museum of the Vatican and Museo Nazionale Etrusco in the Villa Giulia.

Towns with Etruscan ruins and/or artifacts included the self-directed tour are, in sequence, are CerveteriSutriTarquiniaViterboOrvietoTodiChiusiGubbioVolterra and San Gimignano.

The tour finishes in Florence at the National Archaeological Museum.
Extent of Etruscan civilization and
the twelve Etruscan League cities.
Other stuff
Etruscan Civilization
Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Etruscan museums in Italy

I look forward to visiting some of these sites in my future travels.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Solo travel news - March 21, 2016

With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

It has been some time since I've done a solos newsletter, so today is the day.  The good news is that it is a GREAT time to travel as a solo.

WHY IT'S A GREAT TIME TO TRAVEL SOLO IN EUROPE

Europe is an especially good deal, with low fares that make solo cabins affordable, single supplements waived on almost every river cruiseline, and reduced/waived supplements on coach tours.

How would you like to be here this spring?
Photo copyright Paul Marshman
I was delighted to be interviewed by Paul Marshman for his blog post about Europe travel deals this spring. Paul is a client of mine and a well-published travel writer, with his own blog, as well as the Globe and Mail, and more... [read more].


A FEW SOLO DEALS AT THE MOMENT

For those of you looking for a bargain, here are a few cruise deals that I see right now (CAD):

Norwegian Epic - 10 night Mediterranean cruise
April 7, 2016 - inside - $948 solo (+tax)

Norwegian Breakaway - 7 night Bahamas cruise
April 10, 2016 - oceanview or balcony - $1265 solo (+tax) - GREAT BALCONY VALUE!

Navigator of the Seas - 8 night Caribbean cruise
April 16, 2016 - inside - $1099 solo (+tax)

Norwegian Escape - 7 night Caribbean cruise
April 16, 2016 - inside - $1132 solo (+tax)

Norwegian Jade - 16 night transatlantic cruise
April 16, 2016 - inside - $948 solo (+tax)

Norwegian Star - 14 night transatlantic - INCREDIBLE PRICE!!!
April 17, 2016 - inside - $679 solo (+tax)

Celebrity Eclipse - 13 night transatlantic cruise
April 17, 2016 - inside - $1082 solo (+tax)

Norwegian Getaway - 7 night Caribbean cruise
April 24, 2016 - inside - $1188 solo (+tax)

Liberty of the Seas - 7 night Caribbean cruise
April 24, 2016 - inside - $1090 solo (+tax)

Independence of the Seas - 13 night transatlantic cruise
May 1, 2016 - inside - $1111 solo (+tax)

Norwegian Star - 7 night Norwegian Fjords cruise
May 1, 2016 - inside - $855 (+tax)

Rhapsody of the Seas - 13 night transatlantic
November 19, 2016 - inside - $1482 solo (+tax)

COACH TOURS

For coach tours, these are great value:

Insight Vacations: Country Roads of Puglia & the Neapolitan
April 1 or October 14, 2016 - 10 days - no single supplement

Trafalgar: Italian Holiday
April 15, 2016 - 7 days - no single supplement

... plus almost all tours in Turkey have single supplements waived!


Please get in touch if something sounds interesting, or if you have a trip idea in mind. Remember that prices and availability are subject to change. If you see something you like, please get in touch as soon as possible.

Looking for something else? While reduced or waived single supplements are hard to find, they do exist, and I can help you find them. A few ships also offer solo staterooms, with no single supplement. I can also assist with tours and land vacations for solos.

Cheers,
Roberta

Want to "SUBSCRIBE" to my periodic solo email updates? Just contact me. 

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Request a quote: https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/contact

Friday, March 4, 2016

Spring brings tempting travel deals in Europe

How would you like to be here this spring?
Photo copyright Paul Marshman
I was delighted to be interviewed by Paul Marshman for his blog post about Europe travel deals this spring. Paul is a client of mine and a well-published travel writer, with his own blog, as well as the Globe and Mail, and more. Here's the piece:
Spring brings tempting travel deals in Europe  
It’s been a long winter here in the North, but as spring approaches, those of us who love to travel start thinking about Europe. April in Paris, sun-kissed days on the Mediterranean Sea … there’s no place like it. Problem is, the  continent can be expensive — but not so much this year. In fact, travel experts say this could be the year of great travel deals in Europe.
There are exceptional bargains available for European travel this year, says Roberta Westwood, a travel agent with Expedia CruiseShipCenters in British Columbia. And while the reasons are unfortunate, we’re the beneficiaries, as travel companies cut prices far and wide... [read the rest of the article]
I hope you find the content valuable! And, yes, I'd be pleased to help you plan an affordable escape to Europe this year.
 
You can contact Paul Marshman here:
 
Related resources
 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Cruise through France with Jann Arden

Want to cruise through France with Jann Arden?

Join Canadian musician Jann Arden on this 8 day Paris and Normandy River Cruise with Avalon Waterways.

Guests will enjoy a photo op with Jann, a CD signing, an intimate private concert and more!

April 29 - May 6, 2017 - This very special sailing is only availble for 128 lucky passengers.

Contact me today for more information!

Roberta Westwood
1-800-561-2350
250-885-8825
rowestwood@cruiseshipcenters.com
BC Reg #2550-6

Related resources
Jann Arden Christens Avalon Tranquility II

Monday, January 4, 2016

Great cruise + hotel pairings!


Do you love travel to major cities?

If so, here's some inspiration for your travel bucketlist!

To kick off the new year, one of our suppliers, TravelBound, is having a BIG sale on hotels in select cities for the next 5 weeks. A different group of cities goes on sale each Monday, for 1 week only. Book during the weeks indicated for offers of up to 45% off.

Just for fun, I've paired each week's offer a few cruises that embark from one of the featured cities. If you are looking for inspiration, then you are in luck!
--------------------------------------
January 4-10, 2016: 1-week only FLASH sale for hotels in Kuala Lumpur, New York City and Phuket - a great deal, especially if you have ever dreamed of cruising from the Big Apple - how about one of these?
January 11-17, 2016: 1-week only FLASH sale for hotels in Hong Kong, London, Paris and Seoul - a great pairing for a cruise from one of these grand cities! opportunity for a pre-cruise stay for one of these sailings:
January 18-24, 2016: 1-week only FLASH sale for hotels in Bangkok, Rome and Singapore - this is a great opportunity to save on your hotels if you are tempted to book one of these great itineraries:
January 25-31, 2016: 1-week only FLASH sale for hotels in Barcelona, Berlin and Istanbul - so many cruises begin or end in Barcelona and Istanbul, so pick the one you love!
February 1-7, 2016: 1-week only FLASH sale for hotels in Dubai, Las Vegas and Orlando - did you know there are great value sailings to/from amazing Dubai? Or Orlando's Port Canaveral:
Please get in touch if you'd me to help you find you a great hotel, or a great cruise, or both - I'm always happy to help!

Cheers,
Roberta

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Happy New Year 2016!

Postcard from Cozumel
Where will cruising take you in 2016?
creative commons image pikmin on Flickr
As we welcome a new year, I've decided to take a different approach with my cruise travel blog. While I've kept my cruise travel social media active in other mediums (Twitter, Facebook), I confess to seriously neglecting this blog.

With the new year, however, I have greater clarity as to how I can add the most value, by sharing what I am most passionate about: interesting itineraries!

So I invite you to virtually sail the globe with me!

To whet your whistle, here are some gems:
Interested in one of these sailings, or want help finding your dream cruise? Please contact me - I am happy to help you, wherever you are!

Related resources
7 comebacks to "I hate cruising"
What story do you want to tell post-cruise?
Fresh thinking needed for solo cruisers!