Travel & Cruise Desk

09/12/2026

Fall in Tuscany just feels right!

It brings a different rhythm to the region. The summer crowds begin to thin, the days are generally mild, and the landscape starts to take on those warm autumn colors that make you want to pull over every five minutes for another photo.

September and October also bring "vendemmia", grape harvest season, making it an especially delicious time to be in w**e country!

One of our favorite things about this part of Italy is the balance between its iconic cities and the countryside in between. Florence and Pisa are incredible and worth seeing, but so are the medieval hill towns, vineyard landscapes, long lunches and food traditions that make the region feel distinctly its own.

And fall is a particularly good time to experience that balance. We build in the big sights, but leave room for the countryside too. That's where some of the best parts of a trip tend to happen.

Truly though, Tuscany doesn't need much convincing. Especially in the fall.

09/11/2026

We're excited to be back with the Arts Council of Lake Oswego for this year’s W**e Walk! 🍷

Come say hello, grab a little charcuterie, check out the art, and maybe start dreaming about where your next adventure might take you.

October 3rd, 1–5pm - more info and tickets available here: https://www.lakeoswegochamber.com/events/downtownlakeoswegow**ewalk

09/09/2026

Japan, one incredible chapter at a time!

Some trips are about seeing a destination. Others are about experiencing it in completely different ways... and this 15-day family journey through Japan did just that.

It began in the energy of Tokyo, with bright city streets, Shibuya Crossing, ancient temples, bustling markets, and even a hands-on sushi-making experience! Then, just when the pace could have started to feel fast, the journey slowed down.

They headed toward Lake Kawaguchiko, where Mount Fuji became the backdrop for a boat ride across the lake, panoramic views from the ropeway, and a stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan, complete with an open-air bath and a traditional dinner.

From there, it was on to Kyoto, where the trip took an even deeper dive into Japanese culture. A tea ceremony and kimono experience, centuries-old temples and shrines, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and a day in Nara meeting its famous deer all brought a different side of Japan to life.

The journey continued to Hiroshima and Miyajima, where beauty, history, and reflection came together before the family finished their adventure in Osaka, exploring markets, Osaka Castle, and the lively streets of Dotonbori.

15 days. Five destinations. So many different ways to experience Japan.

And that's what we love about a thoughtfully planned itinerary: it's not just about fitting in the highlights. It's about creating a journey with room for the big moments, the hands-on experiences, the quiet pauses, and the memories a family will still be talking about years from now.

Here's a little look at Japan through our clients' eyes, and a special shoutout to Advisor Mia for bringing it all together! ❤️

09/05/2026

In the spirit of taking our own advice to slow down and make time for the things that matter, our office will be closed for Labor Day weekend.

We’ll be back in office Tuesday, September 8th refreshed and ready to get back to planning all the places you’re dreaming about.

Until then, we hope your weekend includes a little sunshine, good company, and maybe an adventure or two.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

08/29/2026

What a summer it’s been! ☀️

One of our favorite parts of being a local brick-and-mortar business is getting to know the people and businesses that make up our Lake Oswego community. This summer, we've had the chance to spend our Friday mornings connecting with fellow local business owners through the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce!

We've talked business, shared ideas, learned more about what our neighbors are doing, and of course, talked plenty of travel along the way. Because travel has always been about more than simply going somewhere. It's about connection, curiosity, and the people you meet along the way; and we love finding those connections right here in our own community.

Which makes us especially excited about where one of those local connections is taking us: Tuscany!

We're partnering with the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce on a nine-day journey through Tuscany in October 2027, bringing together travelers from our local community to experience the food, w**e, culture, history, and beautiful landscapes of this incredible part of Italy.

It's pretty special to build connections here in Lake Oswego and then have the opportunity to continue those connections halfway around the world! Maybe that's our favorite kind of travel.

Curious about the Tuscany journey? We've put together all the details here:
travelcruisedesk.com/tuscany27

08/27/2026

Is now the right time to travel internationally? It's a fair question!

With a constant stream of headlines competing for our attention, it's understandable that travelers are thinking more carefully about where and how they travel.

But we don't believe the answer is to stop traveling. We believe it's to travel with more intention.

International travel has a way of turning headlines into human beings. A meal shared with a local family, a conversation with a guide, a neighborhood restaurant, or simply wandering through a place where people live their everyday lives can offer something a news story never can: perspective.

That doesn't mean ignoring what's happening in the world. It means asking better questions, choosing thoughtfully, and having trusted people in your corner when the details matter.

That's where we believe the role of a Travel Advisor matters most.

The world hasn't become less complicated. But travel can make it feel a little more human.

That's what we're exploring in our latest article, and why we still believe there is so much value in seeing the world with preparation, perspective, and purpose.

We invite you to read the full story ⬇️

Is now the right time to travel internationally? See how preparation, perspective, and trusted guidance can help you travel with confidence.

08/13/2026

Did you know one of the “best airport lounges in the world” is right here at PDX?

The Escape Lounge at Portland International Airport was named Global Lounge of the Year for 2026 in the Priority Pass Excellence Awards!

Tucked away in Concourse D, it’s a pretty great way to start a trip. With comfortable spaces to settle in, complimentary food and drinks, and a chance to relax before it’s time to board… what’s not to love?

And you don’t have to be flying first or business class to enjoy it!

The Escape Lounge is open to travelers flying any airline or class of service. You can access it with Priority Pass, through eligible American Express and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cards, certain travel cards, or purchase entry starting at $30 per person.

For those of us who call PDX our home airport, having a globally recognized lounge right here is a pretty nice travel perk!

So maybe getting to the airport a little early isn’t such a bad thing after all. 😉

One little tip from firsthand experience: if you’re planning your visit around a meal, be sure to check the lounge’s food service hours in addition to its regular opening hours. The lounge may be open before a particular meal service actually begins. We learned that one on an early morning visit when we arrived a little too soon for breakfast ahead of an early morning flight so always worth checking!

Have you visited the Escape Lounge at PDX yet?

08/06/2026

Five travel details that may seem small but can change the entire experience.

They aren’t necessarily the most exciting parts of an itinerary, yet they can quickly influence how smoothly a journey begins, how comfortably it unfolds, and how much time you’re able to spend actually enjoying it.

These are a few details we believe are always worth prioritizing:

✨ Having airport transfers arranged in advance: After a long flight, there’s something wonderful about being met on arrival and taken directly to your hotel without navigating transportation in an unfamiliar destination.

✨ Having a room ready after an overnight flight: When travelers land early in the morning, we may reserve the hotel beginning the night before. Instead of waiting until the afternoon to check in, they can shower, rest, unpack, and begin the trip on their own schedule.

✨ Choosing flights for the experience, not only the fare: A thoughtful flight schedule can mean fewer connections, better rest, and more time enjoying the destination. Sometimes the most valuable option is simply the one that makes the journey easier.

✨ Exploring with a trusted local guide: A wonderful local guide offers more than directions and historical facts. They bring a destination to life through personal stories, local perspective, and experiences travelers might never discover on their own.

✨ Giving the itinerary room to breathe: An additional night can transform the pace of a trip. It creates space to recover, linger somewhere special, or enjoy a destination without constantly thinking about the next departure.

Luxury isn’t always about adding more. Often, it’s the freedom to travel without unnecessary stress, protect your time, and enjoy each part of the journey as it unfolds.

What’s one travel detail you never want to compromise on?