In This Issue
- December & January Events & Webinars
- Azamara & The Mediterranean
- New Viking Itinerary Highlights: 8-Day Baltic Sailings
- December 2025 Specials
- “Travel Tested, Carol Approved” November Winner
- Join us on Explora Journeys, February 24-March 3, 2026
- Update on UK and European Union Visas
- Links to Past Newsletters
- The Last Laugh
December & January Events & Webinars
We at Imagine Going There hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our office will be closed from noon December 24 through Dec 25th as well as noon December 31st through January 1st. As always, we look forward to helping you create that next new memory in 2026 and beyond.
Here are some of the events we are presenting at the start of 2026. We hope you can join us for one of them!
Webinar: Thursday, January 8th at 2pm
Viking Rivers Itinerary: Grand European Tour
Registration Link: Grand European Tour
January 9th– Del Web Chateau Elan, Braselton, GA
IGT hosed Bingo – 4pm and 6:30
January 10th– Cresswind Lake Lanier, Gainesville, GA
Spring Vendor Fair 10:00am –1:00 pm
Webinar: Thursday, January 15th at 2pm
Viking Oceans Itinerary: Mediterranean Odyssey
Registration Link: Mediterranean Odyssey
Webinar: Thursday, January 22nd at 2pm – TBD
Azamara & The Mediterranean
We were invited to join Azamara on their Spain Intensive itinerary. Since this perfectly coincided with our upcoming Viking Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary, the timing was perfect to explore this side of Spain.
One of the reasons we’ve considered adding Azamara to our cruise line offerings is that several of our guests have asked us about booking it, so we wanted to experience it so we could talk about it with the expertise our clients expect from us.
Here are some of the things we really liked about this cruise line:
They are great at extended times in port. Like Viking, they dock for long periods at the destination, allowing you to really experience it like a local. This was probably my favorite part of the trip, and as an example, here was our recent itinerary:
“Plusses” of Azamara:
- Unique Destinations & Extended Times in Port
- Small ships – less than 700 passengers
- Gratuities included
- Unlimited beverages
- Signature AzAmazing Evenings
- Variety of Dining Venues; 24-Hour Room Service
- Self-Service Laundry
- Warm, Attentive Service
- Attractively Priced
- They Allow Scooters/Wheelchairs (Viking does not)
Things to Consider:
- Ships are refurbished Princess ships, and are about 25 years old
- While the Veranda stateroom is about the size of Viking’s ocean ships, the bathroom is very small (particularly the shower!) and has about a 6-inch elevation. I recommend upgrading stateroom category for those with mobility issues
- Food is good, but not as good as Viking’s
- There is an extra charge for specialty dining
I don’t usually do long summaries, but since I’m not limited to a word count, here are the fun places we got to visit on this trip if you want to learn more about the ports we visited:
Barcelona – we arrived a day early to explore this beautiful city once again. Our daughter lived here, and we had gone to see Montserrat, but Doug had never been. While we got to see the cathedral, a dense fog came in and clouded the view of the mountains. Still a good trip, but the views are well worth seeing, so I’ll have to bring him back!
Valencia – We were here before (with Viking), and remember it as one of our favorite cities, so we were looking forward to seeing it again. Azamara had a shuttle to take us into town, which ran every thirty minutes, so we could come and go as we pleased. We didn’t book any tours that day, preferring to wander around on our own and revisit some of our favorite spots as well as explore some new ones.
As you cross the bridge into the main part of the old town, you’ll see the Puerta del Mar, or Gate of the Sea, which provides a fitting entry to this beautiful city. Built in 1946, it replaced the original medieval bridge which was destroyed in the late 19th century. For a small fee (2 Euros), you can climb the towers and get some wonderful views of the city.
Valencia’s Puerta del Mar
The Valencia Cathedral is said to hold the Holy Grail and was built in the 13th century. It also functions as a museum and has an impressive collection of artwork and sculptures. You can also climb the tower (200 steps) for some wonderful views of Plaza de la Reina.
The Plaza de la Reina is a beautiful square right outside the Valencia Cathedral, and has a wide array of restaurants, fountains, markets, and souvenir shops. It is a lovely way to relax and enjoy the scenic surroundings as you take in the sights and sounds of Valencia.
We visited the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), started in 1482 when Valencia was the center of trade and silk production was a testament to the wealth of this area. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a beautiful example of Gothic Civil architecture.
Historic Silk Exchange
At the Mercado Central (Central Market), you can browse an incredible variety of fresh meats and Spanish produce, as well as ready-made items available for lunch. A great way to experience eating like a local!
Speaking of food – Valencia orange trees are all through the coast of Spain – beautiful and ripe, you can see the ripening oranges on the tree and the ground as well.
Alicante
This is a beautiful port with a stunning fortress right near the entrance of the city called the Castillo de Santa Barbara. This significant fortress was built by the Moors in the 9th century, but was remodeled several times: when Prince Alfonso of Castile captured it in 1248 and gave it the name of Santa Barbara. In the 16th century, Phillip II altered it to more of a Renaissance military structure.
Castillo de Santa Barbara
You can climb your way to the top, or do what we did and pay the fee for the elevator to take you up to the steep ascent. Once there, the sweeping views of the Mediterranean are fantastic! (Tip: go early in the day, as there’s no shade at the top.)
After touring every nook and cranny, we descended to the main Esplanade, which has a beautiful mosaic sidewalk lined with lovely palm trees. Lots of shops and restaurants line the beautiful marina, and we enjoyed a lovely afternoon topped with an order of authentic paella on the terrace.
Cartegena
If you asked which of the ports we’ve seen so far were my favorite, I’d be hard-pressed to pick, as they are all beautiful and unique. Cartegena did not disappoint – Roman ruins, fortresses, beautiful streets, and amazing architecture.
Long before it became a key naval base and thus created a population boom for the city, Cartegena was under Roman occupation from about 227 BC, and walking the streets of the city, you could see the many centuries of history appear before your eyes.
We walked along the marble streets (everything so clean so clean!) as we figured out what we wanted to see in this beautiful port. The map said “Roman ruins” so we explored that first, then stopped into a museum to get more information. There are plenty of places to visit, so choosing a couple that we had the interest and time for took a little strategy.
We were so glad we stopped there first, as the main entrance to the Roman theatre and museum was near the port entrance. When we arrived there, the line was so long! However since we had purchased tickets at another location, we were able to skip the line. (A tip we will remember for future attractions as well! And don’t forget to ask for senior discounts – some were offering significant ones for those 65+.)
Roman Theatre
On our way back to the ship, we stopped in the ARQUA Museum, which is dedicated to the archaeological items found underwater. We didn’t realize it until we arrived that admission was free for those 65+, and after 2pm Saturdays and Sundays.
This is the place to view real sunken treasures! There are elephant’s tusks with Phoenician inscriptions, as well as gold and silver coins recovered from the Spanish frigate the British sunk in 1804. There’s even the remains of the Phoenician boat which sank 2600 years ago.
This museum provides an interesting look at underwater treasures and how they are retrieved and restored. Did you know, that like a decompression chamber a human needs to reacclimate to the surface, underwater finds need similar care? There are comparisons of treasures properly restored as well as those brought to the surface without any additional care, and the deterioration by comparison is remarkable.
Malaga
This port stands out among the others for several reasons: There is a covered boulevard right off the ship which is full of shopping stalls offering unique items for sale. It’s a nice shelter from rain or sun, and a welcoming place as you disembark the ship.
As with the other ports in Cartegena and Valencia, there were large forts that dominate the nearby hillside, and of course we had to see them!
We toured the Alcazaba Fortress, which dates from the 10th century before ascending the steeper mountain to Gibralfaro Castle. Beautiful architecture and even more beautiful views!
Alcazaba & Gibralfaro Castle
Alcazaba & Gibralfaro Castle
As we descended the mountain, we came across more Roman ruins right beside the Alcazaba Fortress, then wandered through town, for Spanish nachos and doing some shopping.
As we were walking to the ship, we passed the Cathedral of Santa María de la Encarnación. Having seen a lot of cathedrals, we almost passed it up, but so glad we didn’t. Dating back to the end of the 15th century, it has one of the tallest cathedrals in Spain. It showcases the incredible wealth of the city and is a stunning display of Spanish architecture from the Renaissance period. Most impressive are the 42 intricately carved mahogany choir stalls. (They are so beautiful that Spanish painter Antonio Palomino in the 18th century called this the 8th Wonder of the World.)
Malaga Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Encarnacion
Malaga Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Encarnacion
AzAmazing Evening: Glamour Through the Ages
An exclusive Azamara event was scheduled our night in port: a visit to the Málaga Automobile Museum. This unique museum holds a large private collection of cars that is about 65,000 sq ft in size! and is one of the Top 10 Museums in Spain.
First “horseless carriage"
With over 100 perfectly restored cars, from Mercedes, Bugatti, Bentley, Rolls Royce or Ferrari, to “cars of the stars” like Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and Elvis, there is something for everyone. It was a journey through time, with a unique feature that at each car on display there are fashion pieces that reflect the era of the cars.
A very fun way to spend an evening, and one that encircled the visit to this beautiful port with an extra touch of magic!
Gibraltar
I’ve always heard of the Rock of Gibraltar, but had never seen it, nor knew anything about it other than it at the narrow point between the southern tip of Spain (though a British territory) and Africa.
When we arrived, Doug and I had in mind our usual “explore on foot” plan. The Gibraltar Nature Reserve sounded like a beautiful walk full of attractions and a great place to spend the day visiting. Once you got to the top, it looked like a nice oval layout, with lots of places to visit.
When we disembarked at the port, we were met by a tour guide, who asked where we were headed, and when we told him, he explained not only how much walking there would be, but how steep the grade was and how long that would take on foot. He offered a tour that would show us all the sites without all the footwork.
Having climbed fortresses and walked for miles over the last few days, we decided to take him up on his offer – and we’re so glad we did! While a 5.5 mile hike is something we’re very comfortable doing, once at the top, there’s the additional elevation gain of approximately 1,660 feet and that makes a big difference in stamina. (And the older my knees get, going down steep hills is only somewhat easier than going up!)
In addition to beautiful views, there is so much history here! We started off visiting St. Michael’s Cave, with stunning stalactites and stalagmites that reach 250 feet below the surface. An additional surprise were the Macaque monkeys which were everywhere!
Next was our stop at the Cable Car station and Skywalk for wonderful views of The Rock, followed by a visit to the Windsor Suspension Bridge – suspended 164 ft over a gorge with a span of 233 feet. A fun adventure with great views!
Most interesting were the Great Siege Tunnels and World War II Tunnels. Using The Rock as a natural defense system, the British originally dug these out of the limestone during the 18th century during the Siege of Gibraltar which lasted from 1779-1783.
Nearby are the World War II Tunnels, which was a massive underground fortress that could accommodate up to 16,000 men along with accommodations for a hospital, ammunition, supplies and equipment to sustain a long siege. (The entire tunnel network is 34 miles!)
Seville
If you look on a map, Seville is nowhere near the ocean, but that’s the beauty of sailing on a small ocean ship. We sailed right up the river (it took about 5 hours at our pace!) and even went through a lock, and docked not too far from the city.
One of the highlights is the Seville Cathedral – the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The total building area covers about 253,000 sq. ft., and the Giralda tower is 315, making it the tallest point of the city. Construction of this cathedral began in 1184 and took about a century to build and is home to Christopher Columbus’ tomb.
Seville Cathedral from the tower
Another popular site is the Real Alcazar – a Moorish palace which was started in the 10th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is still used by King Felipe V when he visits Seville. Note: we did not get to see this as the number of visitors is strictly limited. Be sure to book your tickets in advance.
Plaza de España – this beautiful plaza is in the Maria Luisa Park and built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition. Though it is currently used for governmental office space, it is expansive and picturesque and also used for impromptu performances by the locals as well as for pop-up shopping stalls.
Lisbon – the cruise ended in Lisbon, and we knew there was a lot to see! We opted for a City Pass, which gave us access to 51 museums as well as public transportation. There was sooo much to see, and we walked/trammed/bussed all over the city.
Once we got the City Passes turned into vouchers, we got directions for the best way to get to the popular sites. We made our way to the Jerónimos Monastery and saw the gothic structure built in 1501. Since it was Sunday, the cathedral portion was closed to visitors until later in the day, but the monastery portion was impressively beautiful.
We then headed across the street to the Monument of the Discoveries that celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Located on the banks of the Tagus river, it is about 170 feet high, and you can go inside it and up the elevator for beautiful views of the monastery across the street as well as the Belém Tower, also built close to the same time as the monastery – about 1514.
Jerónimos Monastery
Monument of Discoveries
Fun fact, you can go down to the lower level and tour the sardine museum! It’s definitely a learning experience to see how much this little fish means to the Portuguese. Due to the unique condition of the waters, sardines produce in abundance in the Portuguese waters. About 60 percent of the fresh catch of sardines are eaten by the locals. However, during World War I, the canning of sardines provided an affordable and critical source of food for soldiers, which really boosted the Portuguese economy.
Speaking of cuisine, our guide said you’ll go into bookstores and see a variety of cookbooks with the 365 in the title. You don’t have to know Portuguese to know that codfish is another favorite Portuguese dish, and they have 365 ways to cook it – one for each day.
That afternoon we visited the Coach Museum. No, these are not fashionable purses, these are carriages used for royal ceremonial processions. They are a chariot-ride through time to see these 70 restored vehicles on display. They date from the 16th to the 19th century. You can even find the first gasoline car that arrived in Portugal, in 1895. We learned that the restoration of the gold leaf on the carriages was three million each! There were also uniforms of the coachman on display as well as ceremonial swords, pistols, lamps, cushions, and items related to the care of the steeds that pull them.
When in Lisbon, you have to try the Pasteis de Belém – the famous pastries have been made since 1837 that have a phyllo-like crust and are filled with custard. There are several shops that make them, but like the recipe for Coca Cola, the original one is a heavily guarded secret. In fact, there are only three who know the secret at any given point, and they are never allowed to travel together in case of an accident that would endanger the recipe.
Our next adventure was Castelo de São Jorge, or St. George’s Castle, parts of which date back to the 11th century, though there are remains at the onsite museum that this ancient town dates back to the 7th century. This hilltop vantage point allowed surveilling the Tagus River and the surrounding area, and included the castle, the religious buildings and living area for the elites. We took the tram close to the entrance and experienced some of Old Lisbon along the way. The perfect time to arrive is sunset, and we had some beautiful views of the city.
Castelo de São Jorge
Top of Lisbon
We walked down the hill, doing some shopping (got a cool apron!) and headed to the ship.
While you know me as the “Viking Lady” and that is still my favorite title, Doug and I made some great memories on this trip, and it was nice to experience long times in port just navigating things on our own.
New Viking Itinerary Highlights: 8-Day Baltic Sailings
There are new Viking itineraries and this month we're highlighting Baltic Itineraries this month:
Baltic Discovery (8 days, Stockholm to Copenhagen)
Sailing Dates:
June-September, 2027 (6 sail dates for 2027 & 2028)
May-August 2028
Scandinavian Discovery (8 days, Oslo to Stockholm)
Sailing Dates:
May-September, 2027 (only 5 sail dates)
May-August 2028 (only 6 sail dates)
Nordic Wonders (8 days, Bergen to Oslo)
Sail Dates:
May-September 2027 & 2028 (only 6 sailings!)
Why should you be thinking of 2027 and 2028? Because Viking guests know:
- Prices tend to increase each month as the sailing gets closer to departure
- The best shoreside staterooms go first
- Overall ability shrinks (2026 is sold out)
- $25 per person deposit solves all of the above problems!
Plus, if you have an existing reservation, we can extend final payment to six months prior to departure!
December 2025 Special Offers
The deals are all over the place this month, so look carefully at the dates and promotions under each category. Remember, these won’t be published on the website, and you won’t get these prices by calling into Viking, either.
We have the special codes to provide the best savings, so call us at 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com!
We have one other unadvertised special for any cruise booked in December, too.
As our Christmas gift to you, when you book any cruise December 1-31, ask to apply code DBR25, and Imagine Going There Travel will add an extra $200 discount on top of any promotion! (It will not be automatically added – just for those who request it as we want to see who is reading our newsletters!)
Merry Christmas!!
Reduced Fares on 2026 River Cruises
From Free International Air* | $500 SBC per stateroom on River cruises
Capitals of Eastern Europe (17 days, Vienna to Bucharest)
Starts at $6,099 pp; 2026 - Mar: 29; Apr: 12, 26; May: 10, 24; Jun: 7, 21; Jul: 5, 19; Aug: 2, 16, 30
Christmastime in Paris & Normandy (8 days; Roundtrip: Paris, France)
Starts at $2,999 pp; 2026 - Nov: 26, 29; Dec: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18
Cities of Light (12 days, Prague to Paris)
Starts at $3,299 pp; 2026 - Mar: 6, 13, 20, 27; Apr: 3, 24; May: 1; Jul: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Aug: 7, 14, 21, 28
The Elegant Elbe (10 days, Prague to Berlin)
Starts at $3,799 pp; 2026 - Mar: 18, 23, 28; Apr: 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27
France's Finest (15 days, Paris to Avignon)
Starts at $5,598 pp; 2026 - Mar: 18, 20, 22; Apr: 1, 3, 5, 15, 17, 19, 29; May: 1, 3, 13, 15, 17, 27, 29, 31; Jun: 10, 12, 14, 24, 26, 28; Jul: 8, 10, 12, 22, 24, 26; Aug: 5, 7, 9, 19, 21, 23; Sep: 2, 4, 6, 16, 18, 20, 30; Oct: 2, 4, 14, 16, 18, 28, 30; Nov: 1, 11, 13
Grand European Tour (15 days, Amsterdam to Budapest)
Starts at $5,499 pp 2026 - Jul: 17, 18, 22, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31; Aug: 1, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28
London, Paris & D-Day (12 Days, London to Paris)
Starts at $4,799 pp; 2026 - Mar: 17, 24, 31; Jun: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Jul: 7, 21, 28; Aug: 4, 11, 18; Nov: 3, 10, 17
Lyon & Provence (8 days, Avignon to Lyon)
Starts at $ 2,799 pp; 2026 - Mar: 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29; Apr: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29; May: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31
Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days, round-trip Paris)
Starts at $2,799 pp; 2026 - Mar: 25, 26, 27, 28, 29; Apr: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
Paris to the Swiss Alps (12 days, Paris to Zurich)
Starts at $3,399 pp; 2026 - Mar: 23, 25, 30; Apr: 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29; Jul: 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29; Aug: 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31
Portugal’s River of Gold (10 days, Lisbon to Porto)
Starts at $4,499 pp; 2026 - Jun: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30; Jul: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31; Aug: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31
Tulips & Windmills (10 Days, Amsterdam to Antwerp to Amsterdam)
Starts at $2,799 pp; 2026 - Mar: 24, 28, 29, 30, 31; Apr: 2, 3, 6, 7
Viking Mississippi Deals
From Free International Air* | $500 SBC per stateroom on Mississippi cruises
Heartland of America (8 Days; St. Louis, MO, to St. Paul, MN)
Starts at $5,499; 2026 - Aug: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Mississippi Delta Explorer (8 Days; New Orleans, LA, to Memphis, TN)
Starts at $4,299; 2026 - Feb: 14, 21, 28; Mar: 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr: 4; May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Jun: 6
New Orleans & Southern Charms (8 Days; New Orleans, LA, to New Orleans, LA)
Starts at $2,999; 2026 - Jan: 17, 24, 31
The Big Easy to the Gateway City (15 Days; New Orleans, LA, to St. Louis, MN)
Starts at $7,999; 2026 - Jun: 13; Jul: 18
Reduced Fares on 2026 Ocean Cruises
From Free International Airfare*, Included Gratuities
Bangkok, Bali & Beyond (13 Days, Bangkok to Bali)
Starts at $5,999 pp; 2026 - Mar: 10; Apr: 15
Grand Australia Circumnavigation (32 Days, Sydney to Sydney)
Starts at $12,999; 2026 - Feb: 27
Komodo & the Australian Coast (17 Days, Bali to Sydney)
Starts at $5,999; 2026 - Mar: 30
North Pacific Passage (23 Days, Tokyo to Vancouver)
Starts at $5,999; 2026 - May: 6, 25
Southeast Asia & Hong Kong (15 Days, Bangkok to Hong Kong)
Starts at $5,999; 2026 - Apr: 8, 27
Reduced Cruise Fares - 2026 Ocean Cruise Deals
Adriatic & Mediterranean Sojourn (22 Days, Rome to Istanbul)
Starts at $11,897; Mar: 28; Jul: 28; Aug: 4
Ancient Mediterranean Treasures (8 Days, Istanbul to Athens)
Starts at $3,499; Mar: 30; Apr: 6, 11, 15; Aug: 11, 18
Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 Days, Barcelona to Rome)
Starts at $3,799; Mar: 6, 9, 21, 28; Apr: 1
Mediterranean & Italian Sojourn (15 days, Barcelona to Venice)
Starts at $8,598; Mar: 9, 21
Mediterranean's Iconic Shores (29 Days, Barcelona to Istanbul)
Starts at $15,496; Mar: 21; Jul: 21, 28
For 2026 – 2027 Ocean Cruise Deals:
Free Beverage Package, Plus, Double Past Guest Discount: Save up to $800 Per couple
Amalfi Coast, Africa, & Iberia (8 Days; Rome to Barcelona)
Starts at $2,999; 2026 - Dec: 23; 2027 - Jan: 5; Feb: 16
Ancient Mediterranean Antiquities (15 days, Istanbul to Rome)
Starts at $4,998; 2026 - Nov: 7, 14, 21; Dec: 8, 9, 22, 30; 2027 - Jan: 6, 13, 20; Feb: 24
Ancient Mediterranean Treasures (8 Days, Istanbul to Athens)
Starts at $2,599; 2026 - Nov: 7, 14, 21; Dec: 2, 9, 15, 22; 2027 - Jan: 6, 13, 20
Cities of Antiquity (15 Days, Rome to Athens)
Starts at $4,599; 2026 - Dec: 22; 2027 - Jan: 19
Greek Odyssey (11 days, round-trip Athens)
Starts at $4,599; 2026 - Nov: 20; Dec: 3, 12; 2027 - Jan: 19; Feb: 22
Iberia & Mediterranean Antiquities (22 Days, Lisbon to Athens)
Starts at $8,797; 2026 - Nov: 24; 2027 - Jan: 20, 29; Feb: 10
Iconic Mediterranean Treasures (22 days, Istanbul to Barcelona)
Starts at $7,797; 2026 - Nov: 21; Dec: 1, 23, 30; 2027 - Jan: 13, 20
Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 Days, Barcelona to Rome)
Starts at $2,599; 2026 - Nov: 4, 10, 11, 18, 25; Dec: 1, 5, 7, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30; 2027 - Jan: 12, 17, 27; Feb: 3, 5, 8, 17, 23, 25, 26
Italian Sojourn (8 days, Rome to Venice)
Starts at $3,799; 2026 - Nov: 3, 4, 11, 18
Italy, the Adriatic, & Greece (15 days, Athens to Rome)
Starts at $8,298; 2026 - Nov: 4
Jewels of the Mediterranean (15 Days; Roundtrip: Rome, Italy; includes Tunisia)
Starts at $5,798; 2026 - Dec: 23; 2027 - Jan: 5; Feb: 16
Journey to Antiquities (8 days, Rome to Athens)
Starts at $2,599; 2026 - Nov: 3, 7, 21, 28, 30; Dec: 2, 8, 9, 13, 16, 29, 30; 2027 - Jan: 3, 6, 10, 20, 27, 29; Feb: 15, 24
Malta, Morocco & the Mediterranean (16 days, Barcelona to Barcelona)
Starts at $6,599; 2026 - Dec: 12, 14, 27, 29; 2027 - Jan: 24; Feb: 10
Mediterranean & Adriatic Odyssey (15 Days, Rome to Athens)
Starts at $4,999; 2026 - Nov: 28; 2027 - Jan: 5; Feb: 2
Mediterranean & Italian Sojourn (15 Days, Barcelona to Venice)
Starts at $6,998; 2026 - Nov: 3, 4, 11
Mediterranean Antiquities (15 days, Athens to Barcelona)
Starts at $4,998; 2026 - Nov: 25, 28, 30; Dec: 1, 9, 13, 23, 27, 30
Spain & Portugal Discovery (8 Days, Lisbon to Barcelona; includes Morocco)
Starts at $2,799; 2026 - Nov: 24; 2027 - Feb: 3, 10, 12, 19
Spain, Portugal, & the Mediterranean (15 Days, Lisbon to Rome)
Starts at $6,298; 2026 - Nov: 24; 2027 - Jan: 27; Feb: 5, 10, 19
Venice, the Adriatic & Greece (8 Days, Venice to Athens)
Starts at $4,299; 2026 - Nov: 4
Expedition Deals:
FREE International Airfare, Reduced Fares & $25 Deposit on 2026 Viking Expeditions
Antarctic Explorer (13 Days, Buenos Aires to Ushuaia)
Starts at $11,995; Feb: 10
Argentina & the Chilean Fjords (14 Days, Buenos Aires to Santiago)
Starts at $7,495; Mar: 4, 13
Panama Canal & the Americas (20 Days, Santiago to New York City, NY)
Starts at $4,995; Mar: 17, 26
Canadian Discovery (13 Days; New York City to Toronto, Ontario)
Starts at $5,995; Apr: 5
(These offers are only available as capacity allows,
and can be withdrawn at any time, so act fast!!)
This pricing is based on promotional codes that we will add and will not be reflected on the website. Call us at 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com to secure your spot on these incredible itineraries!
Call Carol at 770-421-9627 for up-to-date availability and best pricing– plus we’ll add extra shipboard credit to your reservation, which you won’t get by calling direct!
“Travel Tested, Carol Approved” November Winner
Last month we had a photo from our recent travels and had our readers guess where we were. The correct answer was Ketchican, Alaska, and the winner is Toni Patronik. She has won our “Travel-Tested, Carol Approved” Garment Bag
Congratulations, Toni!
(New contest will start in January, so stay tuned!)
Join Us on Explora Journeys – Feb 24 - March 3, 2026!
I’ve told you in previous newsletters how fabulous our Explora Journeys cruises have been!
Well, we’re doing another Imagine Going There Travel cruise to the Caribbean February 24-March 3, 2026, and would love to have you join us!
What a great way to get away from the winter blues – here's the itinerary:
A Journey of Paradise Coves and Puerto Rican Spirits (8 nights, Miami to San Juan)
Below is a photo of the Ocean Terrace Suite 2, pricing at $3,719.35 per person, based on double occupancy, which includes our group rate as well as an additional 5 percent discount (normally pricing is $4,130pp for this category.)
The sailing includes all the following as complimentary amenities in your cruise fare:
- 5 Restaurants
- Unlimited premium beverages
- Free wifi
- Port Fees
- Taxes
- Gratuities
Come join us!! Call 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com for more details.
EES for European Countries
We have been receiving questions recently around the new EES (Entry/Exit System) being implemented in Europe and if travelers need to do anything in advance. This is different from ETIAS that has not yet been implemented.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new European Union automated IT system that will register non-EU nationals for short stays in the Schengen Area, replacing traditional passport stamping with the collection of biometric data like fingerprints and facial images.
Starting October 12, 2025, the system will be phased in over six months with the expectation that once implemented it will make border checks more efficient.
Travelers do not need to do anything advance. When non-EU nationals cross an external EU border, they will use self-service kiosks to scan their passport, provide a facial image, and give fingerprints.
If you would like more information about the EES you can visit this link.
**PLEASE NOTE IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE UK***
UK’s new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is up and running! You must submit if disembarking in the UK!
The United Kingdom officially launched their ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) application process for United States citizens. If you are traveling to the UK you will need to be sure to apply and obtain this authorization prior to your departure. (Shortly after introducing ETA, they made the change that you will not need an ETA if you are only going through the airport “in-transit” and not going through customs.)
This application costs £16 and is done online. The website states it could take up to three days to process, so don’t wait until the last minute! Click here for more information and to apply.
Carol recently did it over her phone using this QR code. It was a clear and fairly easy process as long as you read the prompts closely.
CAUTION: If you type in “ETA” to a Google search there are many websites that appear to be “official”. However, you will end up paying too much if you use a website other than the UK government website. You should look for the “.gov.uk” address to make sure you have the correct information.
ETIAS for European Countries
We are continuing to monitor when this will start, and the EU recently announced it will not start until the last quarter of 2026. Viking has told us they will be sending out announcements to travelers once it finally goes into effect and the European Union will inform about the start of the ETIAS several months prior to it’s launch. Click here for the official ETIAS website.
One less thing to have to think about – at least for now!
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About Imagine Going There Travel
Carol is a Viking Master Cruise Expert and Group Travel Specialist, and she loves getting people together to enjoy the intimacy and hospitality unique to small ship cruising.
Consequently, our clients benefit from the “inside information” we have as a result of the great relationships we have developed over the years. They don't have to call an 800-number hoping to get a knowledgeable professional to answer their questions, and are also on the “first-to-know” list for specials and bonuses, all while receiving the signature TLC we put into every trip.
Vacations are the highlight reels of the year, and each one needs to be truly memorable.
Great Vacations Matter, Because Great Memories Matter Most
P.S. Whether you have questions about your upcoming cruise, or you have a Future Cruise Voucher you're trying to put to the best use, feel free to contact me at 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com. I'll be happy to answer all of your questions and give you the best advice for your Viking dollars.
P.S.S. If you've booked direct with Viking in the last 60 days, call 770-421-9627 to get an additional $200 shipboard credit to your reservation!
