DJ Travel Adventures - Independent Travel Agent

DJ Travel Adventures - Independent Travel Agent 25+ years ocean cruise. experience! ~ Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, Costa Rico, Columbia, and Hawaii 🛳.

River cruising in Europe *Amsterdam, Germany, France, and Switzerland.

Did you know...Approximately 715,000 people set sail on a cruise weekly?Have you? If not...what are you waiting for?? ...
08/03/2026

Did you know...

Approximately 715,000 people set sail on a cruise weekly?

Have you? If not...what are you waiting for?? Call or message me to plan your voyage.

In May, I attended a destination wedding in Etyek, Hungary, 45 minutes from Budapest. A unique trip, as I traveled inte...
07/08/2026

In May, I attended a destination wedding in Etyek, Hungary, 45 minutes from Budapest. A unique trip, as I traveled internationally, SOLO.

To say the idea of traveling solo, internationally, filled me with anxiety is an understatement!!

I did make detailed plans regarding flights, ensured connections of about 3 hours to allow for delays and learning to navigate the various airports (Zurich, Budapest, & Frankfurt), securing Hungarian Forints prior to travel (which was needed for various taxis, local restaurants & tipping). I traveled with copies of my passport in all pieces of my luggage, utilizing a secure cross body purse for $, credit cards, medications, & passport.

Key take aways from my solo international trip:

*Pack LIGHT. I am a "just in case packer". Traveling solo has its own challenges, not the least includes shoving my carry-on in the overhead bins, stairs getting on & off planes ~ loading on the tarmac in Frankfurt, deplaning in Budapest directly down 2 flights of stairs😬and arriving at my hotel after 18 hours of travel to find my room...up 2 flights of stairs.

*Traveling solo allows time for unique interactions with fellow travelers. I met people from Ukraine, Poland, China, Russia, Germany, & Switzerland. So many fun & interesting travel stories and shared moments of "is this the right gate?"

*My favorite memories of this trip were the "traveling in the moment" experiences. Spending the day in Budapest with a new friend. Realizing at the end of the day, when grabbing an Uber...we didn't know the address of our hotel😝Eventually, our driver agreed to "figure it out" and away we went on a 50-minute drive, only to end on a long, narrow, dark uninhabited road. Finally found our hotel by recognizing a church steeple that I could see from my hotel room.

*Ordering lunch in Etyek~ no english, no internet, just pointing at pictures and hoping for the best. I tried to order a sparkling water and ended up with 3 different drinks LOL and a pizza topped with Arugula.

Would I travel solo internationally again? Yes - such a wonderful moment of accomplishment & independence.

Budapest, Hungary. Today we took an Uber to Budapest, about 30 miles from Etyek.In the morning we visited the Szechen...
05/21/2026

Budapest, Hungary. Today we took an Uber to Budapest, about 30 miles from Etyek.
In the morning we visited the Szechenyl Thermal Bath in a stunning neo-baroque setting. It was simply other wordly!

Afterwards we visited Heroes Square, a symbol of historic significance and the center of Budapest & the Chain Bridge, Budapest's oldest suspension bridge. It spans the Danube and connects to hilly Buda & the flat Pest. The bridge built in 1849 stands as a symbol of Hungarian unity.

Afterwards we strolled the city, stopped for lunch & ended our day with a cruise on the Danube.

***A bit of a mishap coming back with our Uber...we left without an address for our hotel...it was "a moment" but eventually made our way back 😉

Some pics from today ~ in Etyek HungaryTomorrow we visit the oldest thermal spa in Budapest.
05/20/2026

Some pics from today ~ in Etyek Hungary

Tomorrow we visit the oldest thermal spa in Budapest.

Etyek, Hungary.Jet lag has officially claimed me. Travel time over 18 hours.Tomorrow's agenda is a Hungarian cooking cl...
05/19/2026

Etyek, Hungary.

Jet lag has officially claimed me. Travel time over 18 hours.

Tomorrow's agenda is a Hungarian cooking class and later...wine tasting.

BTW ~ Swiss Air sold cartons of cigarettes...on their drink cart.

This!
05/18/2026

This!

Wheels up after an hour delay. I played the "open seat lottery" during the delay. The plane is full minus the 2 empty ...
05/18/2026

Wheels up after an hour delay.
I played the "open seat lottery" during the delay. The plane is full minus the 2 empty seats next to me🤣

Travel note~ I know waiting isn't fun, but I always get to the airports early and allow a MINIMUM of 2 hours for connections. Several different travel parties have already missed their connections in Zurich due to the delay. As for me, no worries. I have 3+ hours to make my connection in Zurich to Budapest.

Traveling solo, does have its challenges. I always count on my husband to have extra room in his carry-on. Sooo, to make room to put my purse in my carry-on to satisfy the carry-on + personal item , I had to wear a shirt, hoodie, jacket, and travel scarf when boarding😅😇.

Talk later, from Zurich 🇨🇭

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