{"id":106,"date":"2020-08-01T16:17:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-01T16:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/?p=106"},"modified":"2020-11-10T17:26:58","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T17:26:58","slug":"annies-top-custom-travel-picks-for-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/annies-top-custom-travel-picks-for-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Annie\u2019s Top Custom Travel Picks for 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/freedomtoursllc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Annie-w-giant-tortoise-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"610\" height=\"457\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Everyone asks me \u201cHey, where are you going this year?\u201d \u00a0and I begin reeling off my\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/freedomtoursllc.com\/\">custom travel<\/a> plans. Some of them are family trips, some are small groups, and some are just for me \u2014 to explore and research and discover. \u00a0Here are some of my ideas for traveling this coming year. \u00a0They are sorted by special interests, destinations, and accommodations.\u00a0\u00a0All of these trips are designed for the independent custom traveler unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Special Interests: CUBA\u00a0<strong>Small Group or Independent Travelers:<\/strong> Cuba has been on my list forever. I spent several years there as a young child (my dad was stationed at Guantanemo) and of course, I always want to go to the off-limit places. To add another layer, one of my special interests is art; creating, collecting, observing, and meeting artists. \u00a0Now I am working with a fabulous company, and together we have a trip with a total art focus and I can\u2019t wait. \u00a0Land +air from Miami. <strong>$5,100.\/pp<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Special Interests: ITALY\u00a0<strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong> When I think of the culinary arts my mind jumps to Italy. \u00a0It is the food and wine capital of the world; some would agree and others would challenge. \u00a0However, with the connections I have nurtured over all these years, the custom itinerary will be rich and yummy. \u00a0This trip will focus on 3 key regions: (1) Emilia Romagna\/Tuscany\u2013to include Bologna, Parma, Lucca, Florence, Modena (2) Lazio\/Rome\u2013here you will find the best chefs and teachers from chic to local (3) Campania\u2013in this region, we will focus on the famous pizzas from Naples, salade Caprese from Capri and olive oils and lemons from Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast\u2013ahhh\u2026limoncello, I can taste it in my mind. Each trip is customized. \u00a0<strong>Trip price ranges from $3,150.\/pp plus airfare<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Accommodations: PORTUGAL <strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong>\u00a0Portugal is the perfect place to \u201cpousada hop.\u201d \u00a0Pousadas are properties, castles, monasteries, abbeys, convents, villas or grand estates, that have been restored into lovely hotels\u2013each unique. \u00a0Portugal is littered with pousadas which makes it the perfect country to explore independently. \u00a0Dramatic landscapes, beautiful inns, best fish in the world washed down with a nice glass of wine and finished with fado and port. \u00a0Just say, ahhh\u2026This is a fully customized itinerary. \u00a0 \u00a0<strong>Trip price ranges from $2,229.\/pp plus airfare<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Destinations: SPAIN<strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong> Spain has two intriguing cultures in the north: Catalonia &amp; Basque\u2013each\u00a0has a very marked culture and distinct language. \u00a0This trip begins in Barcelona, takes in all the architectural wonders inspired by Gaudi, includes a tapas tour, and a bike tour of the city, and some free time for roaming the Ramblas. \u00a0Then moving up through Costa Brava on to Girona and Figueres. \u00a0From there you turn west to Basque Country \u2014 here you visit the Rioja wine region and San Sebastian. \u00a0Ending your trip in Bilbao. This is a fully customized itinerary. \u00a0 \u00a0<strong>Trip price ranges from $2,550.\/pp plus airfare<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Special Interests: CHRISTMAS MARKETS<strong>Small Group or Independent Travelers:<\/strong> \u00a0Christmas Markets began over 500 years ago when farmers and folks from the countryside would bring their goods to the town square during the Advent season\u2013the four weeks in December. \u00a0The tradition is strong throughout Europe. \u00a0This trip highlights two of the best: \u00a0Prague and Munich. \u00a0I am arranging a small group to begin the magical holiday season in this winter wonderland. \u00a0The custom group tour will be the first week of December, however, the trip can easily be adapted for independent travelers and any dates of their choice. Trip price $1,920.\/pp plus airfare\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<li>Accommodations: BALI\u00a0<strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong> Unlike the Maldives, Bali is surprisingly affordable, and has those iconic South Pacific accommodations, overwater bungalows, and beachfront cabanas, that everyone drools over. \u00a0It is not just a beautiful place to sleep, but Bali is also home to spectacular mountain vistas. gorgeous beaches, friendly people, and a rich and vibrant culture to include temples, talented artists, music, dance, and culinary discoveries. \u00a0In 2009 Travel + Leisure said Bali was the world&#8217;s best island. \u00a0I expect not much has changed and, you too will agree. This is a fully customized itinerary. \u00a0 \u00a0<strong>Trip price ranges from $2,100.\/pp plus airfare\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Accommodations: FRANCE\u00a0<strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong> When it comes to places to stay I love to look at France. \u00a0Here you have choices, like a chateau, relais, auberge or country inn. \u00a0In France, you can sleep in a 13th-century castle\/chateau that sits along a river with lush gardens to wander, or a chateau that is the heart of a beautiful vineyard for wine lovers. \u00a0A relais is a luxury hotel that often offers spa services. \u00a0An auberge can be a small hotel and\/or a restaurant. \u00a0The country inn is similar \u2014 they both would be a charming country home that gives you a more local experience. \u00a0These types of accommodations are speckled throughout France and a nicely designed trip would include some of each. \u00a0After all, it is not always about where you go but more about where you stay. This is a fully customized itinerary. <strong>Trip price ranges from $3,200.\/pp\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Special Interests: ALSACE TRAIL, FRANCE\u00a0<strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong> This is the perfect trip for people who love to drive and discover castles, charming towns, wineries, and cheese factories\u2013on their own. \u00a0The Alsace Trail runs over 100 miles north to south along the French and German borders through 70 wine-growing villages. \u00a0Those who visit between April and October will be a part of the many wine &amp; harvest celebrations. \u00a0Each village holds its own festival, and wine cellars open their doors for visitors to taste the very best wines. \u201cAlsace, where wine becomes a journey.\u201d \u00a0This is a fully customized itinerary. \u00a0 \u00a0<strong>Trip price ranges from $2,490.\/pp plus airfare<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Destinations: BELIZE\u00a0<strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong> Custom travel to Belize can be approached in two ways, \u00a0The Quick Get Away and The Longer Adventure\/Beach Combo. \u00a0If you are looking for a 4-5 day retreat from winter or work then we have an ideal resort with the oceanview cabanas and a nice menu of activities available\u2013reasonable and easy to get to. For the longer trip of say 7-10 days we recommend you begin your trip in the heart of Bocawina National Park where you can enjoy cave tubing and zip-lining one day, take a trip to Tikal to see the Mayan ruins the next. \u00a0After your jungle adventure, you will end your trip on Ambergris Caye for some beach time, snorkeling and sailing if you choose. This is a fully customized itinerary. \u00a0 \u00a0<strong>Trip price ranges from $1,920.\/pp plus airfare<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Accommodations: CRUISE\u2013COZUMEL, BELIZE &amp; ROATAN\u00a0<strong>Independent Travelers:<\/strong> It is hard to beat a Royal Caribbean cruise for that quick escape for a sweet price. This cruise departs from Galveston and includes 3 ports to explore: Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan. Cozumel offers jeep safari adventure, snorkel the reefs, speed boat island tour, play with dolphins, or just bury your toes in the white sand beach. \u00a0While at Belize you can visit the Baboon sanctuary, explore the underwater world and take in its unique coral structures, caves, and marine life, tour the Altan Ha pyramid or stroll the markets of Belize City. Finally, Roatan, where you can go deep-sea fishing, explore the Preservation Park where you will see parrots, iguana, and monkeys that live in the wild. Take a dive to discover Roatan\u2019s shipwrecks, and aquatic life: sea turtles and whales. There are still adventures to be had while at sea: zip lining, rock wall climbing, learn to surf, and\/or scuba. <strong>Cruises can be arranged from many ports besides Galveston and range from<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>$478.\/pp<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everyone asks me \u201cHey, where are you going this year?\u201d \u00a0and I begin reeling off my\u00a0custom travel plans. Some of them are family trips, some are small groups, and some are just for me \u2014 to explore and research and discover. \u00a0Here are some of my ideas for traveling this coming year. \u00a0They are sorted [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":758,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":765,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions\/765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravelllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}