Oh Canada

What’s the number one country
to travel to in 2017?

According to Lonely Planet, the world’s most successful travel publisher, it’s Canada. With the entire country celebrating the lead up to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017 with special events, concerts and more, there’s never been a better time or reason for your clients to visit and experience the world renowned beauty of Western Canada on a Rocky Mountaineer journey. 

With four unique rail routes connecting Vancouver, British Columbia – a cosmopolitan city surrounded by beaches, oceans and mountains – to the majestic Canadian Rockies and iconic Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper, Rocky Mountaineer offers your clients a truly Canadian and one-of-a-kind travel experience. 

Watch the video and learn why Lonely Planet named Canada the number one country to visit in 2017 and why your clients should visit next year.

For more information on how you can travel to Canada by plane, train or automobile then give us a call at Ambassador Travel today! We have great options on guided tours, setting you up with hotels, excursions and transportation and so much more!

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

365 Days of Cruising

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be on vacation 365 days a year? Well today we are bringing you an article on Lee Wachtsetter, an 86 year old woman who permanently lives on the Crystal Serenity cruise ship year round. Before her husband passed away he made her promise she would never stop cruising, and, well I think she more than fulfilled her promise. Thanks to our Cruise Queen Liz, for sharing this article with me! Check out the article here:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2015/01/19/woman-pays-164k-per-year-to-live-on-luxury-cruise-ship/22030011/

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

Akvavit

 

Welcome to this week’s installment of our Thirsty Thursday blog. I haven’t blogged on a cultural beverage in many weeks, so I am happy to be back featuring a beverage that many of you have not heard of. This week’s featured drink comes to us from Scandinavia and is known as Akvavit. Let’s learn about this liquor and where it comes from.

Akvavit or aquavit is a flavored liquor that is produced in Scandinavia since the 15th century. It is the most popular drink in Denmark and is also drank in Germany, England and parts of the U.S. with large Scandinavian settlements. It’s distinctive flavor comes from it’s main spice caraway. It is also made with cardamom, cumin, anise, fennel, lemon and orange peel, some varieties even include dill. It is generally 40% alcohol by volume and must have at least 37.5% alcohol by volume to be called Akvavit by the rules set by the European Union.

This drink is very popular in Scandinavian culture. It is generally drank at weddings and holiday celebrations. It is an aperitif and generally sipped from a small shot glass accompanied by a dark beer. It is similar to vodka, as it is distilled from grains or potatoes. It is then flavored with the spices listed above.

The earliest reference to Akvavit in Scandinavian culture comes from 1531. In a letter from the Danish lord of Bergenshus to the Roman Catholic Archbishop the lord references the archbishops illness with suggestions on the healing powers of Akvavit. Although these so called healing powers were a bit over exaggerated by the lord, it can aid in digestion, especially of rich foods. Which is why it is most often drank at large lunch meals on Easter and Christmas.

Are you ready to try this beverage yourself? Time to call us here at Ambassador Travel today!

 

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

Marvel Day at Sea

Disney Cruise Line Introduces First-Ever Marvel Day at Sea on Select Disney Magic Sailings from New York in Fall 2017

In 2017, Disney Cruise Line Guests will unite and celebrate the epic adventures of the legendary Super Heroes and Super Villains from the Marvel Universe during a brand-new, day-long celebration: Marvel Day at Sea.

Occurring on one action-packed day during each of the seven Disney Magic sailings, you will be transported to a new realm of possibilities when the Marvel Universe assembles on the ship. The event features all-day entertainment including exclusive interactions with some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes that oppose them, an extraordinary deck party, Marvel-themed youth activities, special merchandise and unique food and beverage offerings.

Marvel Day at Sea hosts an awesome mix of immersive entertainment that is sure to empower Guests to unlock their hidden superhuman abilities as they assemble their own Super Hero community onboard the Disney Magic on this very special day. Highlights include:

·         Unleash Your Inner Super Hero during the Ultimate Day at Sea 

·         Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor and other Marvel Universe Super Heroes are onboard for scheduled meet-and-greets and photos.

·         A brand-new spectacular party fills the upper deck with music, dancing and games.

·         The deck party culminates in a stunning display of themed pyrotechnics, lighting, sound effects and the largest collection of Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains ever assembled on a cruise ship. 

·         Kids and families summon their Marvel knowledge and enjoy friendly competition during trivia games, covering courageous heroes and fun facts from the Marvel Universe.

·         For young heroes-in-training, Marvel-themed games, activities and arts and crafts will be offered throughout the day in Marvel’s Avengers Academy in the Oceaneer Club.

Marvel Day at Sea will be on seven- and eight-night Disney Magic Bahamian cruises departing from New York on Oct. 6, 14, 28; Nov. 4, 11 and 18, 2017. All will include a stop at Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral, with a day at Walt Disney World® Resort. Marvel Day at Sea will be on one seven-night Canadian Coast cruise departing from New York on Oct. 21, 2017, with stops at Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax.

For more information on this exciting opportunity please contact us today!

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

Where Can We Send You?

 

If you read our blog regularly then you know how much I love a quiz that will tell you where to go next, although we love to do that at Ambassador Travel. This quiz is a great way to find a little travel inspiration and see how your personality lines up with different cities around the world. Like always I like to take these quizzes and share the results with all of our readers, so I got Egypt and here’s why: “Filled with intrigue and ancient culture, a trip to Egypt is more than an expedition. Trek the desert, check out ruins, or take a cruise along the Nile. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip that you’ll never forget.” Now I don’t believe in “once-in-a-lifetime” but I have been to Egypt and the description is spot on to what I like to do on vacation, so if you want to know where you want to go next try it out below!

Where Should You Travel Next | Personality Quiz

So take the quiz and share with us your results, then give us a call!

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

 

In Flight Food

Traveling with the family means loading up everything everyone needs before heading to the airport. We all know how ridiculously priced airport and airplane food can be so I am attaching a nifty video that shows different snack options that are TSA approved so that you can pack what you need and forget about the junk that they sell near your gate. Thanks to Travel Planner Brittany for sharing this video with me. And honestly even if you aren’t flying these jar snacks would be great for road trips as well. Check out the video below for lots of ways you can save and snack healthy no matter where you’re headed!

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTravelChannel%2Fvideos%2Fvb.15672033850%2F10154591940308851%2F%3Ftype%3D3&show_text=0&width=400

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

Disney Dessert Parties

Disney has been a leader in the travel, movie, tv, etc., industries since it’s creation. They are constantly turning out products both great for parents, kids and people of all ages. If you haven’t been to Disney since you were a kid, then things have definitely changed. It’s not just about the theme park and getting a picture with Mickey. There are countless events going on–one of which is their famous dessert parties. Although there are several different types today I am going to talk about A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Watch the fireworks from a reserved viewing area with Star Wars-themed desserts and drinks—plus receive a souvenir stein.

Enjoy an out-of-this-world selection of desserts and specialty drinks—including alcoholic beverage options. Nibble on Darth Vader cupcakes as you take in an up-close view of the enthralling Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks show.

To remember the very unique evening for a long time (in a galaxy not so far, far away), you’ll receive a souvenir stein featuring one of the most beloved Star Wars characters, Chewbacca. The Force is strong with this one!

This is such a fun experience for the whole family. The kids get to enjoy desserts and entertainment, you get to be part of this special family moment and as always, Disney throws in the alcohol drink option for the adults. So the next time you are considering a trip to Disney, don’t forget to ask about Dessert parties!

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

Name These Places

Today on Travel Trivia Tuesday I am going to try to stump you all. We are going to play a game of match the image to the name and location of that image. Now these are highly toured sites, but not ones you may know if you haven’t been there or at least to the country. Some may be easier than others, but this is definitely one of our hardest mix and match games we’ve ever played, so can you beat it? Try it out and let us know how you did!

For an even harder challenge see if you can guess them without the word bank. If you need the help just scroll down for the options!

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2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

 

 

A. Shwedagon Pagoda–Myanmar

B. Panama Canal– Panama

C. 25 de Abril Bridge– Lisbon, Spain

D. Seven Sister’s Waterfall– Norway

E. Grand Casino de Monte Carlo– Monaco

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Answers: 1B, 2D, 3E, 4A, 5C

 

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236. 7777 | ambassadortravelltd.com

Basic Beverage

Now that fall is in full swing I have finally given in to my own urges and decided to write this week’s Thirsty Thursday blog on the drink that truly reigns in the fall season–Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL for the people in the know. Yes this over commercialized beverage has become a social media star and a true icon for our society and the millennial generation and you know why? Because even as much as I hate to admit it, this drink is delicious. I am a true pumpkin lover of course, who doesn’t love fall? But I wouldn’t write about this drink if I didn’t at least sample 1 or maybe several each fall season. So let’s learn a little bit more about it’s history and rise to the top.

PSL’s are a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, steamed milk, and espresso. Place in Starbucks cup and top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice and you have just created one of the most iconic drinks ever poured into a cardboard cup. But where did this legendary beverage come from? It turns out Starbucks started developing this drink back in January of 2003. They were looking to expand their seasonal drinks and tested out a range of new flavors. Although their pumpkin spice mixture did not fall at the top of the list, they decided to stick with it because, at the time, there was nothing else on the market like it.

After several months of development they decided to test the final recipe (which by the way didn’t include any pumpkin) in the fall of 2003. Their test markets were Vancouver and Washington D.C. Because the drink exceeded they expectations, out performing their classic holiday drink like peppermint mocha and eggnog latte they decided to go full steam ahead (puns intended). From 2003-2015 their have been over 200 million PSLs sold, bringing in over $80 million a year. Their was a significant spike of 234% from 2008 until 2012 as popularity continued to grow. The latest change came to the drink just last year when after an outcry from the people Starbucks added actual pumpkin to their drink recipe.

So now you know a little bit about this famous, or rather infamous drink. I may be dreaming about one right now and can potentially see a Starbucks from my window, so now I will leave you to dream about them too.

Want to travel to the original Starbucks location in Seattle, Washington? Time to give us a call here at Ambassador Travel!

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777| ambassadortravelltd.com

Take The Quiz

Happy Travel Trivia Tuesday everyone. Instead of playing along with us here today we are going to do something that will be both fun and functional by sharing a link with you. After a series of about 10 questions this fun quiz will tell you where to go, although you know we love doing that here. Play along and see why your travel personality matches up with your resulting city. Plus when it’s over you will have a new destination in mind and we will be here waiting for your call

Link: https://www.buzzfeed.com/turkishairlines/which-city-fits-your-travel-style-1gc3k?utm_term=.lhxEmL3zp#.obZ4zM152

I took the quiz and got Istanbul, Turkey, which by the way has been on my bucket list for years. The quiz suggested I like to see everything and do even more in the cities that I visit (very true) and that the hustle and bustle of Istanbul would be perfect for me. I don’t know about you, but personality wise this was pretty spot on. I want to know which locations you got! Share them with us on our Facebook page or below in the comments!

Ambassador Travel Ltd. | 920.236.7777| ambassadortravelltd.com