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Cruise Planners - Beth German, Cary, NC (2026)

05/23/2026

🚂 Slow Travel Friday: Tournon-sur-Rhône 🇫🇷

One of the things I loved most about traveling through southern France was how often the journey itself became part of the experience.

Cruising along the Rhône River between Vienne and Tournon-sur-Rhône felt peaceful in a way that’s hard to fully describe until you experience it for yourself. Vineyards stretched across the hillsides, small towns appeared along the riverbanks, and life seemed to move at a slower, quieter pace.

And then there was Tournon-sur-Rhône itself.

The weather that day was absolutely perfect, and one of my favorite memories was taking the little train ride through the countryside and simply enjoying the scenery unfolding around us. It wasn’t flashy or hurried. It was just one of those simple travel experiences that makes you slow down, look around, and appreciate where you are.

But honestly, one of the unexpected highlights happened at the very end of the ride. After everyone stepped off the train, the engine was detached, rolled onto a turntable, and manually rotated so it could be moved to the front of the train again for the return trip.

My great-nephew loves trains, so of course I immediately started taking video to bring home and show him (see video in comments). And standing there watching the whole process somehow made the experience feel even more memorable...one of those small moments you never really expect to become part of the story of a trip.

That’s honestly what I remember most about this part of France overall, not just the destinations themselves, but the feeling of moving through them slowly enough to notice and appreciate moments you might otherwise miss. ❤️

Travel is about so much more than checking destinations off a list. It’s the unexpected moments that stay with you. Follow my page for more firsthand experiences, river cruise insights, and inspiration for future travels through France and beyond. 🇫🇷✨

05/21/2026

✨ Take Me There Thursday: Vienne, France 🇫🇷

Some of the best travel moments are the ones you never plan for.

We had just finished Viking’s included walking tour of Vienne and many people were heading back to the ship, but we decided to stay behind and explore a little longer.

As we wandered through town, people were handing out flyers for a preview performance connected to the upcoming opera festival. From what we could tell, it looked like it might simply be a small performance tucked away in an empty corner somewhere, so we really didn’t think much of it.

Instead, we found seats at a café directly across from the remarkably preserved Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia and settled in to enjoy the atmosphere for awhile.

And then suddenly… the opera began.

Not on a stage.
Not in a theater.
Right in the middle of all of us.

Performers appeared throughout the square and what started as an ordinary afternoon turned into this incredible flash mob opera performance surrounded by ancient Roman ruins, cafés, and unsuspecting visitors sitting outdoors in Vienne.

It was one of those travel moments that becomes impossible to fully recreate in photos or videos because the surprise itself was part of what made it so memorable.

I’ve since seen several videos online of flash mob performances throughout France, and honestly, they seem to have perfected the art of turning everyday public spaces into something unforgettable.

And somehow, experiencing an opera performance unexpectedly unfolding in front of a 2,000-year-old Roman temple in southern France just felt perfectly European in the best possible way. ❤️

If you enjoy travel stories, unexpected moments, and experiencing destinations beyond just the typical highlights, I’d love for you to follow along on my page as I continue sharing places that have stayed with me long after returning home. 🇫🇷✨

05/20/2026

— Lyon, France 🇫🇷

I will readily admit that I went into the Viking Lyon and Provence cruise with little if any in depth knowledge of the places I would visit, especially Lyon. I had intended to research more before the trip but as my mother’s health declined in the months before our embarkation date in April 2025, my time was obviously spent differently. With her passing a week before we flew to France, this trip gave us unplanned but much needed rest, relaxation and a solid exposure to Provence with an education of the layers of history and culture it contained. I’m so thrilled to share that with everyone!

Known as the food capital of France, we expected incredible pastries, chocolate shops, cafés, and beautiful meals… and it absolutely delivered. Is your mouth already watering from the photos?

But historically, this is a city with roots stretching all the way back to the Roman Empire. Originally founded as Lugdunum in 43 BC, Lyon became one of the most important Roman cities in Gaul, and you can still see reminders of that history today in the ancient amphitheater and ruins overlooking the city.

Over the centuries, Lyon grew into a major center for trade, banking, and silk weaving, helping shape both French culture and commerce. Walking through the city, you can feel those layers of history everywhere…from Roman ruins above the skyline, Renaissance architecture in the Old Town, hidden passageways once used by silk merchants, to elegant bridges crossing the Rhône and Saône Rivers.

And then, there are the more sobering layers of history as well. During World War II, Lyon became an important center of the French Resistance, while also being associated with Klaus Barbie, the infamous N**i official known as the “Butcher of Lyon.” My husband especially appreciated learning more about that part of the city’s history and how deeply the Resistance movement is remembered there today. It’s one of the things that makes Lyon feel not only beautiful, but historically significant in a very human way.

And then mixed into all of that history… everyday French life.

A swan resting along the riverbank. Locals walking the bridges. Neighborhood bakeries displaying pastries that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Tiny cafés tucked into narrow streets. It felt refined without trying too hard…sophisticated, but still warm and approachable.

Lyon has this incredible balance of history, beauty, food, and authenticity that makes it feel deeply local rather than overly touristy.

It’s one of those cities where you don’t just “see the sights.”

You slow down and experience it. And we absolutely loved the “slow” and the “experience.” ❤️

05/20/2026

🇫🇷
Today, let me take you to Dijon, France - and honestly, it was one of the most delightful surprises of our trip.

When planning our journey for Viking's Lyon and Provence River itinerary, we started our independent travel in Paris. Between Paris and Lyon before our Rhône cruise, I asked ChatGPT for a recommendation on a stop along the way. Dijon appeared on the list, so we booked the high-speed train from Paris and decided to give it a try. Even getting there became part of the adventure.

What we found was one of the most authentically French towns we’ve ever visited.

The winding streets, centuries-old architecture, café culture, and slower pace made it feel less touristy and more like stepping into everyday France. English menus were definitely not everywhere here, and oddly enough, that made us love it even more.

One thing I wish we had known sooner was about Dijon’s famous Owl Trail (“Le Parcours de la Chouette”). The little owl markers embedded throughout the city guide visitors on a walking route through Dijon’s historic center. We spotted one… but by then it was too late to find a map easily (everything was in French), so we never officially completed the trail. Next time!

Sometimes the places you know the least about become the ones you remember most.

And Dijon? We’ll absolutely be back. 🇫🇷✨

05/18/2026

The Best Journeys Begin Early.

If a Viking journey has been on your wish list, now is an excellent time to begin exploring options for 2026 and early 2027.

Many current Viking ocean and river voyages still include free airfare on select departures through March 2027.

But, we are also approaching both a holiday weekend and the end of the month, which is traditionally when some of the strongest promotions begin to appear.

Because of the promotions, over the next 11 days, availability will continue tightening on:
• Popular itineraries
• Preferred stateroom categories
• Prime air options
• Peak travel dates

Booking early often means the best combination of:
✓ itinerary choice
✓ airfare opportunities
✓ preferred accommodations
✓ overall value

Whether you’re dreaming of Europe’s rivers, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Egypt, or beyond, this is one of the best windows to secure your preferred sailing before current savings begin to change.

Message me if you’d like help exploring current Viking itineraries, pricing, and available promotions. ✈️🚢

05/15/2026

This is one of those “behind the scenes” travel advisor moments.

This morning, I received an alert that Italy’s rail system has announced a strike that could impact train travel from Sunday evening, May 17 through Monday evening, May 18.

One of my clients had a train scheduled during that window.

Before they even had time to sort through the notice, check whether their train was on the guaranteed train list (it is not), or figure out what to do next, I had already gone online and booked them on an alternate train.

Now I’ll be working on the refund request for their original ticket.

This is the kind of thing that often happens quietly in the background when you work with a travel advisor.

Travel is wonderful - but sometimes strikes happen, flights change, connections get tight, weather interferes, or plans need to be adjusted quickly.

And when they do, it helps to have someone watching, problem-solving, and helping you pivot before it becomes stressful.

Because travel planning isn’t just about booking the trip.

It’s about having someone in your corner when the unexpected happens.

That’s the value of a travel advisor.
And it’s exactly why I love what I do. ✈️🚆🌍

05/15/2026

✨ New Year’s Eve in the Mediterranean? Yes, please. ✨

If you’ve been dreaming of experiencing Barcelona, the French Riviera, Tuscany, Monaco, and Rome in one beautifully curated journey, this Viking ocean itinerary is a wonderful option to consider.

Iconic Western Mediterranean
📍 Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia)
🛳️ Aboard Viking Vesta
📅 December 30, 2026 – January 6, 2027
🌊 8 days | 4 countries | 5 guided tours
🏡 Deluxe Veranda (DV2)
💰 From $2,799 per person
🎁 $250 shipboard credit available

This sailing includes many of the things Viking travelers love: one included shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, port taxes and fees, onboard meals, wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner, and more. Viking Air is also currently showing as free for this sailing, with ground transfers included when using Viking Air.

Ports include:
Barcelona • Sète • Marseille • Monte Carlo • Florence/Pisa (Livorno) • Rome

And, free basic economy airfare makes it even more perfectly priced! Other sailings are also available October–December 2026, so there may be flexibility if these exact dates don’t work for you. Why not go ahead and check a Christmas gift off your list and enjoy the gift of travel over the holidays?

Availability and pricing can change, so message me if you’d like me to check current options for you.

Explore further, with confidence.

05/14/2026

💭 Why Go Wednesday: Honfleur 🇫🇷

Honfleur ended up being one of my favorite picturesque towns in all of France.

There was just something about it that felt instantly charming without trying too hard…the harbor lined with colorful buildings, the reflections dancing on the water, the small cafés, fishing boats, narrow streets, and the feeling that life there still moves at its own pace.

What I loved most was that Honfleur felt completely different from the Paris most people picture when they think of France. It was quieter, slower, and somehow more personal. It’s easy to understand why artists were drawn there for generations. In fact, painters like Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin helped inspire the Impressionist movement while painting the light, water, and everyday scenes around the harbor.

One of the places that especially stood out to me was Sainte-Catherine’s Church. Built largely by local shipbuilders during the 15th century after the Hundred Years’ War, it is considered the largest wooden church in France. Instead of traditional stone construction, the interior feels almost like the hull of an overturned ship…a reminder of how deeply tied Honfleur has always been to the sea and the people who made their living from it.

And yet, despite how beautiful it is, Honfleur still feels lived in rather than staged. You can wander for hours without really needing an agenda — turning corners, stopping at cafés, watching the boats come and go, and simply taking in the atmosphere.

That’s one of the things I came to appreciate most about Normandy overall. Beyond the history the region is known for, there are places like Honfleur that quietly stay with you for completely different reasons.

👉 When you travel, do you tend to prefer big cities and famous landmarks, or smaller towns where you can slow down and simply take in the atmosphere?

05/12/2026

✈️ Take Me There Tuesday: Mont Saint-Michel 🇫🇷

Some places feel historic.
Mont Saint-Michel feels timeless.

Most people visit Mont Saint-Michel for a few hours.

In June 2023, I spent the night on the island — and that completely changed the experience for me.

During the day, Mont Saint-Michel is full of energy and visitors weaving through the narrow medieval streets. But after evening comes and the crowds leave, everything changes. The stone passageways grow quiet, lights begin reflecting against centuries-old walls, and the island starts to feel less like a tourist destination and more like another century entirely.

Part of what makes Mont Saint-Michel so extraordinary is its relationship with the tides. At high tide, the island appears to rise out of the surrounding water almost like something imagined rather than real. At low tide, vast stretches of sand emerge around it, completely transforming the landscape again. For centuries, the tides protected the island naturally while also making access unpredictable and sometimes dangerous.

What many people don’t realize is that Mont Saint-Michel is not simply an abbey sitting on a rock. It is actually a tiny village with a small number of permanent residents still living within the walls. Its history stretches back more than 1,300 years. Over time, it became one of Europe’s great pilgrimage destinations, later serving not only as a monastery, but also as a fortress during the Hundred Years’ War and eventually even as a prison during the French Revolution.

While there, we ate at the famous restaurant La Mère Poulard, known for its historic wood-fired kitchen and legendary omelets. The restaurant dates back to the late 1800s and became famous for serving travelers arriving with the tides. Ernest Hemingway reportedly ate there while on the island reporting during World War II, which somehow made the experience feel even more connected to history.

And then there was the timing of our visit itself. The day after we left the island, CNN published an article marking 1,000 years since construction of the abbey began. Without even planning it, we had visited almost exactly 1,000 years to the month after construction first began in 1023.

But honestly, beyond all the history, what I remember most is simply the feeling of staying there overnight. There was no need for air conditioning — just cool air drifting through the open windows and the quiet of the island after the crowds had gone. It’s hard to describe how rare it feels to experience a place that still seems so deeply connected to its past.

👉 If you visited Mont Saint-Michel, would you want to stay overnight after the crowds leave?

05/09/2026

🧭 Worth It Friday: Versailles vs. Giverny 🇫🇷

If you only have time for one… which would you choose?

Having visited both, I found them unforgettable for completely different reasons — and the contrast between them is part of what makes France so fascinating.

Versailles is grand, dramatic, and undeniably historic. Everything about it was designed to impress — from the Hall of Mirrors to the perfectly symmetrical gardens stretching endlessly into the distance. While the sheer scale and extravagance were a bit more ornate than my personal taste, I’m still incredibly glad I experienced it at least once. Standing in the very place where the Treaty of Versailles was signed and so much world history unfolded gave the visit a significance that went far beyond the palace itself.

Giverny, on the other hand, felt peaceful, personal, and artistic in a completely different way. What fascinated me most was learning that Claude Monet created the gardens before he painted many of his famous scenes of them. In many ways, the gardens themselves became his first masterpiece — carefully designed with color, reflection, texture, and seasonal change in mind long before they appeared on canvas.

Standing on the little green bridge surrounded by the water lilies felt strangely surreal because it’s instantly recognizable from paintings and photographs, yet somehow even more beautiful in person.

What struck me most was how differently these two places approach beauty.

Versailles feels formal, grand, and rooted in history and power.
Giverny feels softer, intimate, and inspired by nature itself.

And honestly, visiting both made me appreciate just how diverse France really is.

👉 Which sounds more like your travel style?
👑 Versailles
🎨 Giverny

05/08/2026

✈️ When Viking offers “𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲,” it can be one of the biggest ways to reduce the total cost of your cruise vacation.

On many international itineraries, airfare can easily add 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 to the overall trip cost. So when Viking includes airfare as part of a promotion, it can make a significant difference in the total price, especially for couples traveling overseas.

That’s why I love watching for these offers.

But it is also important to understand what “free airfare” really means.

The promotion generally applies to Viking’s contracted economy air. If you prefer Premium Economy or Business Class, the value of the included air is typically applied toward that upgraded airfare, and you pay the difference.

Viking has contracted air space with certain airlines and on certain routes. When your flights fit within that contracted inventory, there may not be an additional air cost. But if you want a more specific airline, route, schedule, connection, or upgraded cabin, there may be an additional cost called an 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹.

This is where cruise air can get confusing.

Viking typically assigns flights approximately 𝟵𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹, and sometimes the itinerary you receive may not be ideal. For example, you could end up with two layovers, a longer travel day, or a routing that is not your first choice.

That does not necessarily mean you are stuck with it.

A travel advisor can help work through the options with Viking on your behalf, including alternate flights, better routing, or upgraded cabin options. Sometimes there may be no additional cost, but sometimes there will be an air differential because more preferred routes often cost more — whether Viking is purchasing them or you are purchasing them directly as a consumer.

You may also choose to book your own flights. If you do, Viking usually allows you to add transfers to and from the ship as long as you are arriving on the day of embarkation and departing on the day of disembarkation.

But here’s the important part: when you book your own airfare, you are also assuming more of the risk if flights are delayed, canceled, or misconnected.

Viking does not control the airlines — the airlines are separate vendors. But Viking is a major purchaser of airfare, and when your air is booked through Viking, they have a vested interest in getting you to the ship on time. They also have more ability to advocate on your behalf when issues arise than most travelers have on their own.

That does not mean problems can never happen. It means you have another layer of support when they do.

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲-𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀-𝗮𝗹𝗹. 𝗜𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲.

✈️ Sometimes Viking air is the best value.
✈️Sometimes upgrading makes sense.
✈️Sometimes independent air is worth considering.
✈️Sometimes the assigned flights need to be reviewed and adjusted.

The key is knowing the pros, cons, savings, and fine print before you decide.

Cruise Planners - Beth German

05/23/2026

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

05/18/2026

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

05/12/2026

05/09/2026

05/08/2026

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