Algena's Travel

07/04/2025

Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and blessed Independence Day! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸🤍🇺🇸💙🇺🇸

06/30/2025

Our group cruised on the Sun Princess, the newest and largest ship of the Pricess Cruise Line. The Sun Princess offers itineraries to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Australia/New Zealand. It set sail in 2024 and holds 4,300 passengers. The Sun Princess features a large variety of dining venues, entertainment options, youth and teen activities, and exclusive areas such as the Sanctuary. Our group was a part of the Sanctuary, which offered select suites and staterooms, a private pool area, lounge, and restaurant. The service in this area, as well as across the entire ship, was impeccable! While on board, our group was treated to a private tour of the ship's bridge. We highly recommend the Sun Princess for your future cruises ❤️

06/25/2025

The last stop on our Mediterranean cruise was to the Greek island of Mykonos. This island is known for its vibrabt nightlife, beautiful beaches, scenic views, whitewashed houses, and 14th-century windmills. These windmills were once used for grinding grain and are now a historical landmark. The island became an attraction for celebrities in the 1960's and features a large number of attractions named for Jackie Onassis. During our tour, we were able to stop at one of the beaches and put our feet in the Agean Sea. While we didn't put it to an actual vote, it's safe to say this was everyone's favorite destination! It was absolutely beautiful ❤️
~Kim Haymans writing for Algena's Travel

06/23/2025

During our stop in Istanbul, Turkey, we enjoyed a beautiful cruise through the Bosphorous Strait. The cruise included a delicious breakfast of traditional Turkish foods, along with views of the city's skyline, the Bosphorous bridge, historic sites, and waterfront palaces. The city of Istanbul is actually located on 2 different continents. It is divided by the Strait, with part of the city located in Europe and the other in Asia. Following the cruise, we took a guided tour on the European side of the city. There, we visited a business that produces and sells authentic, hand-made Turkish rugs that were absolutely beautiful! For the remainder of the day, our guide took us to several areas of historical significance and shared some very interesting stories of the city. Just a word of caution if you plan to visit Istanbul: While we NEVER felt uneasy or unsafe at all during this part of the tour, there are areas that require a great deal of walking, some of which is uphill on very narrow sidewalks; and we did, unfortunately, encounter some "less than friendly" people working in the establishments, who did not accept any form of payment except credit cards (just double check your receipts). Other than that, it was a very informative and enjoyable tour.
~Kim Haymans writing for Algena's Travel

06/20/2025

For the first two stops on our Mediterranean cruise we visited the islands of Sicily and Crete. Our guided tour in Sicily took us through several towns including Messina, Savoca, Taormina, and Catania. This area is known for its beautiful cathedrals, mythological figures, marble fountains, and view of Mt. Etna. Our stop in Crete was in the beautiful city of Chania, which is known for its structures that date back to the 14th century. This area is home to the former Monastery of St. Francis, which is now the Archaeological Museum of Chania. Both islands provided gorgeous views, a variety of restaurants, and plenty of shopping opportunities.
~Kim Haymans writing for Algena's Travel

06/16/2025

For our final day in Sorrento, we took a guided tour up and down the Amalfi Coast. This stretch of road winds along the southern peninsula and is a popular tourist destination. Our outstanding drivers, Christiano and David, led us through such towns as Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, and Sorrento. We took in the beautiful scenery, shopped, and had a delicious lunch of pasta and fresh-caught sea bass as we sat overlooking the ocean. We spent our final evening enjoying traditional Italian pizza, as we relaxed in the garden of the Mediterraneo Hotel and prepared for our Mediterranean cruise 🛳
(Kim Haymans writing for Algena's Travel)

06/14/2025

Thursday, our group enjoyed a unique Italian experience as we learned how to prepare some of the area's local dishes. The cooking class took place at Villa Ida, which is set in a beautiful garden of orange and lemon trees, grape vines, and a cellar for wine tasting. We were warmly welcomed by the family, who made us feel at home from the moment we arrived! We prepared zucchini flowers fried in tempura batter, pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese, mini meatloaf with roasted potatoes, and lemon tiramisu. We then enjoyed the meal we prepared, while our host, Charlie entertained us with the history of the villa and its family. This was an amazing time of fun, fellowship, and learning more about the Italian culture!
(Kim Haymans writing for Algena's Travel)

06/12/2025

After 16+ hours in airports and on planes, we arrived in Naples at 8:00 AM local time (2:00 AM est). We only had a little luggage with us 😂 - but guess who's got left behind at JFK?! Yep, the leader herself, Algena Smith (it's on its way today, though). After being picked up by our wonderful driver, Christiano, we made our way to the beautiful Mediterraneo Hotel in Sorrento, where we found two special welcome gifts awaiting each of us in our room. We unpacked, relaxed, some enjoyed lunch by the pool, while others went shopping. For our first evening, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Terrazza Ristorante located in front of our hotel along the Mediterranean Sea. Following dinner, we enjoyed a fabulous view from the Rooftop Lounge atop our hotel. The service here is top of the line, with all the extra personal touches that make you feel right at home ♥️
(Kim Haymans writing for Algena's Travel)

06/10/2025

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding over the past few weeks as I have welcomed a new grand baby and begun traveling for my business. Kim and I are now embarking on a two-week trip to Italy and Greece. We will not be available by phone (text or calls), but we can be reached through email and WhatsApp. I will return full-time June 30.
Photo credit: minnystock

06/05/2025

If you're cruising and one of your stops is in Nassau, consider choosing a Resort for a Day as your excursion. Last week, we chose the British Colonial as the place to spend our final day. Located just on the edge of the Harbor, the British Colonial is less than a 10-minute walk from the cruise pier. The resort features two pools, including an infinity pool and a kiddie pool, as well as a private beach area. You can purchase a day pass with or without lunch, or choose a pass with a private cabana. Your pass includes lounge chairs and towels, access to the private beach area, and two casual bars serving snacks, drinks, and food. British Colonial is the perfect spot for a day of relaxation!

06/02/2025

I had the pleasure of spending this past week on a 6-night cruise aboard Royal Carribbean's Oasis of the Seas. I was joined by my daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Aaron, along with their children, as well as Kim and her family. We spent a Perfect Day at Coco Cay, visited Jamaica and Nassau, and enjoyed two days at sea. The Oasis offers a wide range of activities, including rock climbing, zip lines, ice skating, escape rooms, putt putt, an arcade, and water slides, along with multiple pools and hot tubs. While on board, you can attend comedy shows, water shows, game shows, and view movies in the theater. There are many dining options available ranging from casual to formal. You can visit the Boardwalk complete with shops, restaurants, sports bars, and a carousel, or take a stroll through Central Park. The Oasis is the perfect mid-size ship, not so big that you get lost and not so small that you feel cramped. The Oasis of the Seas offers the perfect cruise experience for singles, couples, and families, with a focus on fun, entertainment, and unique at-sea activities.

05/26/2025