Southern Cross Travel and Tours, LLC

07/01/2020

Alaska has so much to offer!

Driving from Anchorage to Seward along the Seward Highway is the most wonderful sensory overload. Don't miss these 13 beautiful stops along the way!

08/02/2019

Wow! This is going to be awesome!

This will be Universal's fourth theme park in Orlando, Florida.

09/18/2018

Hi Friends and Fellow World Travelers! If you have tried to visit SouthernCrossTravel.com in the last few weeks, you have most definitely received an error message. Seems that a person or group of people have hacked into our site and made it a threat. At least that's the way my "non-Techy" mind understands it! We are in the process of rebuilding the site and hope to be up and running soon! In the meantime, please Message us using the Facebook Platform or email me at [email protected], Beth at [email protected] or Whitney at [email protected]. Hoping this issue is fixed shortly and all the southerncrosstravel.com emails are back up, too! Technology...a blessing and a curse! Wishing you safe and happy travels! Barb

08/25/2017

We made it!! So excited to meet with the beautiful people of Vanuatu!! Been here 30 minutes and can feel the spirit of this friendly island! 🌸🐠🌴

Woohoo!! Welkam Sue Herrick and team USA & North Americas who have just landed: Pacific Destination Center, Evergreen Escapes, Southern Cross Travel And Tours, South Pacific Island Travel, South Seas Adventures, Far & Away Adventures, Vanuatu Tourism Office USA & North America, and later tonight Oceania Expeditions. Looking forward to meeting you all at the airport :-)

07/15/2017

Another day, another train!! On our way to Munich from Salzburg for the final two days of our adventure! I'll write more about Salzburg but for now let's talk trains!! I gotta say, I love them! No wonder Europeans are so much more relaxed! Train travel is so easy...you are probably wondering...but what about the hassles we had printing out our tickets in Lucerne??? Well, even with our little hiccup...it still worked out and we made it to our destination ready for our next adventure!

Here's what I like about trains in Europe:

1) You have lots of options! I always prefer a direct trip so I don't have to change trains.

2) If you do have a connection, don't worry the tickets are marked with the correct platform and if confused, it's always best to ask!

3) Assigned seats! You have the option to prebook your seats but it costs about 10€ and there was always room for us! Great to have the option if you are traveling with a group that really wants to sit together!

4) First Class is available for a premium. Although, Economy has been very comfortable for us...we did accidentally sit in First Class and before we were asked to move...we quite enjoyed the extra wide comfy seats!! Would definitely consider for a long haul journey!

5) Trains are on a strict schedule! I love this! Yes, as with any form of transportation, there can be mishaps that cause delays...but, all in all, you get to the platform 10 minutes before your train arrives, hop on and you're off!

6) Train stations are fun!! When was the last time you thought an airport was fun? I can tell you I was a senior in high school and flew to Chicago with my best friend, Terri! That was FUN! Since then air travel has become more and more of a hassle. With all the security checks and rules for this and that, it's just not FUN!! In the train stations people are always moving. No long lines or jockeying for a place to sit and wait an hour before your flight. People know the rules...see #5... and move in an orderly fashion to board.
7) Room to Sit and to Roam: Yep, this is a big one!! Trains start moving whether you are seated or not. Speaking of seated! There is actually enough room for someone as tall as Mr. Al Foster to sit comfortably! You'll notice that the seats are BOLTED to the floor so the seats don't get squished together to accommodate more travelers...they just add another car!!
8)There is food for purchase and room to eat it! You just get up when you want and walk to the dining car/restaurant on board!

Well, as usual, this is a long post! I guess, I write like I talk! If your read this far, I hope you have enjoyed my take on train travel in Europe! Don't get me wrong! Without planes, I wouldn't be here enjoying this adventure. I just wanted to point out that if anyone is interested in traveling throughout the continent by train, it's not scary! It's easier than driving, cost effective and most of all FUN!!

07/13/2017

Travel Agents traveling! Yes, we love to travel! Many times we travel with tour companies but just as often we set out on our own to scope out the world we love and love to share!!
Today, Beth Smith, Missy Smith and I experienced something that could happen to anyone...anyone that is that doesn't use a travel agent!! 😂 We booked our train from Luzern/Lucerne, Switzerland with OOB the Austrian Train Company! Everything was great...just needed to check in and print our tickets. WELL, somewhere along the way, tickets were sent but they never came through to Beth's email account! So when we got to the station we were in trouble!! We had a printout but no tickets! After many tries to contact OOB...the Austrian Train Company...we finally went back to SBB...the Swiss Train Company and found beautiful, kind and helpful, Sara, who was happy to help!! Woo hoo! We got to use our tickets after all...just a couple of hours later as we missed our original train!! Just a reminder...had we been printing out travel documents for a client...we WOULD have printed out exactly what was needed!! So much for flying by the seat of your pants!!
FYI...if you can afford it!! Book First Class!! Only about $100 more and well worth it for the peace and quite on a long ride!!!

06/29/2017

You don't have to wait until June to experience a taste of VIVID Sydney! Awesome!

06/27/2017

Just because, everything is better with a Frosty Beverage!!

A large pitcher of this refreshing watermelon margarita is the perfect way to cool off on a hot day.

06/27/2017

Look at this!! Congratulations to the Taronga Zoo Sydney! What a precious addition!!