Jim Bast Travel Advisor Dream Vacations

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Jim Bast Travel Advisor Dream Vacations

I've traveled all over the world. Now I want to help others do the same. I’ve always been passionate about travel. I call the series Breathless Moments.

During my 30+ year career in the software business I had the opportunity to travel all over the world and experience hundreds of interesting places. Now I have set up shop as a Travel Advisor to help others experience the joy and excitement I found through travel. Travel should be an adventure and sometimes the most memorable experiences aren’t the most famous sites. It’s been said that “Life is n

ot measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.” To that end I’ve created a series of posts that were especially memorable to me. Feel free to comment or message me with questions. I’ll try to post every few days; I encourage you to ‘Like’ my page, so you don’t miss any of the best scenes. I hope you find valuable information and inspiration here. And if you need some help trying to put together your next adventure - be it by land, sea or both - just send me an e-mail. I have the resources of one of the largest travel companies in the United States behind me, and I can’t wait to help you get out and explore the world.

08/11/2025

Breathless Moments: Cruising the Danube

As a travel advisor I’m frequently asked “what is a River Cruise like?” I always start by saying “It’s completely different from an Ocean-going Cruise Ship”. The ships are much smaller, typically about 150 people vs thousands. It’s much more intimate because you’re frequently sharing experiences with the same people so you get to know them. But I would say that in a word River cruising is much more about the Destinations you visit as opposed to Ocean Cruising being more about the ship you are on.

My most recent experience was Danube cruise heading east from a small town in Germany (about to 2 hr. train ride from Munich) to Budapest. The cruise was on AMAwaterways, one of the larger river cruise suppliers. The itinerary was 7 days, a different destination each day with Vienna and Budapest being the two marque ports. AMA is unique in that they offer at least two excursions at each port which are included in the base price. In addition, the ships carry bicycles that are available to the guest who want to do their own thing.

One of the first things you’ll notice on a river cruise is that the ships don’t travel great distances between stops. Typically 50 – 100 miles. Most of the travel is done at night while the guests are sleeping. The only day of true scenic cruising we did was a morning cruising through the Wachau valley. This was beautiful and several of the pictures I’ve included are from this day.

The other trip feature I didn’t expect that turned out to be very interesting where the number of Locks the ship had to go through. The Danube starts in the mountains of Germany and is a fast flowing river. There are 16 locks between Passau and Budapest and some of these drop the ship more than 25 feet. So you need not go to the Panama Canal to experience massive locks.

In general, I would characterize the river cruising experience as “relaxed”. It’s a short walk from your cabin to the dining room and you can always stop by a quick coffee or a drink. For meals you walk in when you want and sit where you want. If you have to return to your cabin it’s very easy to get on and off; no waiting in lines. Now its true there are no casinos or late night “shows”. But honestly after a full day of sight seeing and a great dinner, we were very satisfied to head back to our cabin to relax and prepare for what we were going to see the next day.

10/14/2024

Breathless Moments: Princeville Golf Course Sunset Tour

On the north side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai sits the planned vacation community of Princeville. This area is breathtakingly beautiful as lush green mountains plunge to the ocean. The Princeville community is built around the Makai Golf Course recognized as one of the best Public Golf Courses in the United States. So, when I heard that they offered a Sunset Golf Course Tour I thought I’d check it out.
Makai is the Hawaiian word for “to the sea” and the golf course has a spectacular setting with holes perched on cliffs hundreds of feet about the Pacific Ocean all framed by the volcanic ridges in the distance. Space on the tour is limited but we were able to reserve a spot by calling the club house the morning of the tour. There is only 1 tour each evening and the start time varies based upon the time of sunset. All participates meet at the club house 15 minutes before start time. You are welcome to bring whatever snacks or beverages you wish (each cart has a small cooler) or you can buy items at the club house. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours.

The tour guide is one of the club pros. He gives you a run down of the flora and fauna in the area. He points out the Hawaiian Goose or Nene. It’s the rarest goose in the world but is all over the place in Princeville. The course offers many striking vistas and photo ops but the highlight is the Par 3 seventh hole which is one of the most stunning locations in the world to witness the sunset.

The cost of the tour is $120 for 1 car with 2 people.

05/19/2024

Breathless Moments: Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein is the fairytale castle you see on nearly every travel poster for Germany. Set in the Bavarian Alps about 2 hours from Munich it is one of the most visited attractions in Germany. Prior to my visit I had read a lot of reviews saying it was kind of contrived and hardly worth the tour. So I had my guard up and was ready to be underwhelmed. But I must say from my point of view it was well worth the time and fully qualifies as a Breathless Moment.
We were in Munich a couple of days as a leadup to our Danube cruise. We elected to do the trip as part of a full day tour with local tour company Mentor Reisen. It is possible to reach Neuschwanstein on your own using a combination of trains and busses but Mentor provides a much more relaxing experience with a English-speaking guide. Most importantly, getting tickets for the castle tour can be tricky with required time slots and advanced pickup times. Mentor eliminates all that, you just buy your tickets on the bus (cash only) and have a guaranteed time.
Now its true that the castle is not medieval but was built king Ludwig II in the 1800s and, was still under construction when he died, so no one ever really lived there. That said the place is really cool. First off, the setting is Spectacular. I guess if you’re King you can choose the best building site. The castle sits high atop a hill with views across a beautiful valley with mountain lakes and the snowcapped Alps on the horizon. The best view of the castle is from Mary’s Bridge. The bridge is named for Ludwig’s mother (Queen Mary) and crosses 270 feet above a gorge uphill from the castle. You can reach the bridge by hiking up an access road but be warned it is very steep. There is a shuttle bus for a fee that drops you off above the bridge from which you can walk down to the bridge and ultimately the castle.
Up close the castle truly is imposing and you have to wonder how they pulled this off even in the 1800s. Inside it is clear Ludwig was trying to make it look very medieval. I snapped a quick picture of the throne room even though pictures inside the castle are strongly discouraged. Views from the castle to the valley are awesome. But be forewarned the castle tour has lots of stairs and considering how much you had to walk to get there you will get a workout.
The little village below has several good restaurants and is at least pleasant with a number of places to sit to take in the ambiance. My Mentor tour included a visit to another of Ludwig's palaces Linderhof which I’ll save for a later posting. To contact Mentor Reisen for tour information see www.mentor-reisen.de.

02/21/2024

Breathless Moments: Ostia Antica

Rome, the Eternal City. For most Americans planning a trip to Europe, Rome is at the top of the list and for good reason. There are many iconic sites in Rome. But I’d like to recommend one you’ve probably never heard of; Ostia Antica.

During the Roman Empire when Rome was the capital of the Western World, Ostia Antica was Rome’s port on the Mediterranean Sea. (Rome is actually 15 miles inland). Much of the trade destine for the capital by sea went through Ostia. As Rome declined Osita was pretty much deserted and consigned to be forgotten.

The benign neglect turned out to be a windfall as the town was left to be “discovered” in the late 20th century pretty much intact. There are Temples and Baths, a full Roman Theater, Stables, even a residential area where multi room houses are clearly visible. One building has some of the original frescos showing that was an eating establishment. There is an area called the Square of Guilds were trading took place. Mosaics on its floor attest to the type of trade. All of this allows the visitor to stroll through a Roman town much as it was over two thousand years ago. And with a fraction of the crowds, you’ll inevitably encounter at the top sights in Rome.

Ostia is relatively easy to reach by commuter rail if you want to do this on your own. It takes about 45 minutes. Then I would allow at least ½ a day although you could easily spend a day there.

01/31/2024

Breathless Moments: Delphi
Delphi is a mystical place. Set high in the mountains about a 3-hour drive northeast of Athens it makes for a good day trip. If you do choose to rent a car and drive yourself, as we did, be aware that nearly all the road signs are in Greek.
There is a small but interesting museum adjacent to the ruins. A guide is helpful which can be arranged locally. Just down the road is the town of Delphi for lunch or a drink.
In ancient Greece, Delphi was thought to be the Oracle of Apollo. The priestess would enter a trance from which she could foretell the future. The setting, a bit removed from the crowds of Athens, allows one to feel some of that mystery today.

01/23/2024

Breathless Moments: Lisbon Segway Tour

Lisbon is a beautiful city. Built on hills that slope to Targus river which forms one of the best harbors on this side of the Atlantic the city is crowned by imposing Castelo de S. Jorge. To me Lisbon feels a lot like San Francisco. It even has cable cars. Most of the medieval city was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. The “Old Town” that remains is the neighborhood of Alfama.

We found that a Segway Tour was the prefect way to explore Alfama’s labyrinth of steep narrow streets. If you’ve never used a Segway it takes some getting used to. Our guides were both encouraging and patient and within about 15 minutes everybody was ready to go. Jeanette opted for the more stable large wheel version. Then we spent the next 2 hours zipping around the narrow walkways while our guides pointed out the sites. All without breaking a sweat.

01/14/2024

Breathless Moments: Santorini
Santorini is widely regarded as the most spectacular of the Greek isles. Santorini is built on the rim of what remains of a volcano that collapsed into the sea. If you’re lucky enough to spend a few nights on this beautiful island, consider accommodations in the town of Imerovigli, just a short taxi ride from the main port of Fira. Here buildings cling to the side of the caldera with a thousand-foot drop to the turquoise blue waters below. Most Inns are small and many have rooms that are literally craved out of the side of the mountain.
Many tourists visit on a cruise but if you can stay a few days there is much to see. Its a walkers paradise with with the Fira to Oia walk; there are many good restaurants and of course the views never get old.

01/05/2024

If you've ever considered an Alaskan Cruise we have a unique opportunity. For the first time Princess will be offering a tour of the Katmai National Park paired with a 7-night Southbound cruise through the inside passage. This tour is a Princess exclusive which includes two nights in Anchorage, where guests have the chance to embark on an intimate bear-watching experience at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. See a part of Alaska most cruisers never see. For more information
https://travefy.com/website/7gfb2jyxujfrnnq3gdrx6n-ywtar32qsq6u5q2

12/31/2023

Breathless Moments: Palace of Knossos

Crete is the largest of Greek Islands. It’s a pity that it is frequently left off of island hopping tours. Rugged and full of history by virtue of its location right in the middle of the Mediterranean there is plenty to see in Crete. Here the Minoan civilization flourished more than 4000 years ago. For a glimpse back into the Minoan civilization visit the Grand Place of Knossos. Greek mythology states that this was the home of Minotaur, a terrifying half man, half bull creature.
The Palace was partially restored starting in the early 1900s by a man named Arthur Evans. His restoration has been the source of some controversy because Evans restored the Palace based on what he "thought" it would have looked like and in doing so may have altered it. I personally feel that it adds to the experience and gives the visitor a better sense of what it would have been like almost 4000 years ago even if we're not sure its completely accurate. For the Purest there are other Minoan sites in Crete less than an hour from Knossos that have been left as excavated allowing one to have both experiences.
Knossos is right outside Heraklion, the largest city in Crete. You can reach Heraklion either by flight or ferry. There are many other beautiful beaches and historical sites on Crete so you could easily spend 3 - 6 days there.

12/11/2023

Breathless Moments: St Lucia

St Lucia is generally acknowledged to be the most beautiful of the Caribbean islands. It feels more "Exotic" probably due to being a little more remote and less frequented by cruise ships. There are direct flights from the US so its not that out of the way.

St Lucia is a rugged volcanic island with its signature feature the towering Pitons that jut out into the ocean from the southwest coast. Nestled between the Pitons is the Five Star Viceroy Sugar Beach Resort. Sugar Beach is one of the premier resorts in the Caribbean and its setting is spectacular. With in season rates over $1000/night and villas that go for over ten times that, Sugar Beach is the definition of “exclusive”.
Except there is a catch as we were fortunate enough to find out. The government of St Lucia insists that all resorts provide some sort of access to the beach. In the Viceroy’s case the distance between public assessable parking and the beach is a substantial distance but if a visitor purchases drinks or a meal at the resort they may use the resorts shuttle. So, during our visit we stayed at a small resort a few miles away (beautiful in its own right as the pictures of the infinity pool attest). Very nice but at a fraction of the price. And then spent a wonderful day enjoying Sugar Beach and a fine meal in their seaside restaurant.

12/06/2023

Breathless Moments: Bunratty Castle

Ireland is the land of Guiness, impossibly green fields and castles. And one of the best Castle experiences in all of Ireland is Bunratty Castle. Located along the southwest coast near Limerick, Bunratty is the most complete and well-maintained castle in all of Ireland. The current structure was built by the MacNamara family around 1425.

For a truly unique experience book the Medieval Banquet. It begins with a welcome in the grand hall. Minstrels play as we guests interact with the players all dressed in 15th century costume. Mead Beer is provided (its very sweet). Then all adjourn downstairs to the dining hall for a full meal. The food is very good, eaten with fingers and a “dagger” (steak knife). Afterwards the “players” put on a show. These types of events can be kind of cheesy, but in this case the players were very talented and the setting is so completely authentic that it truly is enthralling. It lasts a little more than 3 hours.

You can’t stay in the castle (darn), but there are plenty of good hotels and B&Bs within 5 minutes drive. Bunratty Castle is set in a Folk Village which has various replica buildings and demonstrations going on during the day. The Folk Village is worth some time if you're to make a day of it.

11/30/2023

Breathless Moments: Kauai by Helicopter

I love Hawaii! Thanks to business commitments I’ve been able to visit there 9 times. I am always drawn to the island of Kauai because I feel it has the most authentic Hawaii experience of what Hawaii was like before mass tourism. Its quieter and simpler while also being spectacularly beautiful.

For the thrill of a lifetime its hard to beat a helicopter tour of the island. The majority of Kauai, including the cliffs on the Na Pali coast Kauai is famous for are completely, are completely inaccessible by car. At the same time, it is a small island so a 1-hour helicopter tour will allow to see the whole thing.

There are more than ten helicopter tour companies operating in Kauai, but for my money the best are the couple that fly with the doors removed. You are still safely strapped in but as you can see from these pictures there is nothing between you and the most breathtaking scenery on earth. The pilot flies into craters, past waterfalls, and along nearly vertical ridges that you feel you could reach out and touch. Yes, its expensive as tours go but its an experience you will remember forever.

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