Page 14 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – September/October 2018

AAA
Let’s Talk Travel with AAA
TRAVEL AGENCY
get super excited before and during each cruise. It is always a thrill stepping aboard a beautiful ship and being at sea. Although I really enjoy cultural experiences and touring world-class cities and exciting ports of call, I absolutely love taking in the beautiful natural scenery of the fjords of Norway; Stockholm’s archipelago; snowcapped mountain vistas in Alaska; coastal villages in Scotland; Montenegro and Croatia; and the lush, tropical islands throughout the Caribbean – all from the comfort (and privacy) of your own stateroom.
Q. What are your favorite international destinations?
A. Oh, I have so many! I love the Highlands of Scotland, England’s Cotswolds, the Irish countryside, the Austrian Alps, Taormina and Venice in Italy,
the Canadian Rockies, Malta, Bermuda, Iceland, Scandinavia, Quebec and Nova Scotia ... just so many wonderful places, and too many to mention.
Q. List a few of your most out-of-the-ordinary travel experiences.
A. -
• Flying in a four-seater small plane from Akureyri, Iceland above the Arctic Circle to Grimsey Island.
• Spending an afternoon having a private tea with Lady Ashcombe at her home, Sudeley Castle, in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England.
• Cruising nine nights transatlantic on QM2 and chatting with movie star Kim Novak over drinks.
• Flying home in the cockpit onboard both Air Jamaica and Icelandair.
• Staying as the only guests at the Loch Ness Lodge overlooking Loch Ness, Scotland and having dinner with Loch Ness expert Adrian Shrine.
Q. Where are you off to next?
A. I’m taking my two granddaughters on the new Carnival Horizon for a five-day cruise from New York City, and following that I’ll be with my daughter aboard Celebrity Summit to Bermuda, and then my husband and I will be in China and Japan aboard Viking’s newest ship, Orion.
Q. What is your number one top travel advice?
A. Just go! If you keep waiting until you feel you can afford it or until you retire, you will wish you had traveled years ago. There is a trip perfectly suited for your lifestyle and your pocketbook. Trust me! Don’t wait, who knows what tomorrow may bring. Spend quality time exploring the world with the people you love the most. Call your favorite AAA travel agent now.
TM
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
By Sandy Fenton
1993-2018
Abroadcast veteran with 38 years in the industry, Sandy Fenton hosts a one-hour weekly travel show that provides insight on both international and domestic vacation destinations. Her in-studio guests are travel experts from around the world and high- level industry executives and professionals, including airline and cruise ship captains, top tour operators, best-selling authors and well-traveled celebrities.
In celebration of the show’s ongoing success,
AAA posed a few questions to dig deeper into her experience since launching “Let’s Talk Travel with AAA.”
Q. How has travel changed since you first started the show in 1993?
A. Technology has had the most profound effect (both positive and negative) and the consumer cannot believe everything they see and read online or on social media. A trusted AAA travel agent is needed now more than ever. Of course, since 9/11 airport security is much more of an ordeal (remain patient and organized) and cruising is definitely not for the rich and retired – there is a cruise ship for
all ages and all budgets; actually, many cruise ship fares have decreased over the past 25 years.
Q. Any travels you’ve taken that really surprised you and exceeded your expectations?
A. Yes, European river cruising. I was hooked
within the first hour onboard. I loved the comfort of the river ship, the historic towns and ancient cobblestone villages, the delicious meals and regional wines, and the beautiful scenery along the way. Our first two Danube sailings were on popular Viking River Cruises (with one being a magical Christmas Market itinerary), followed by a fabulous Rhine and Moselle sailing aboard the luxurious, all- inclusive Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
I also didn’t think a motor coach tour would be
for us – until we toured California and Yosemite with Insight Vacations. We were so well taken care of ... the business class style of the motor coach, the upscale hotels, the included private tours and delicious dinners with wine. It was so much fun and we enjoyed every day.
Q. How many cruises have you taken? Do you still get excited? What are your favorite itineraries?
A. My recent Crystal Symphony cruise to Hawaii and British Columbia was my 126th. And yes, I still
"Let’s Talk Travel with AAA," hosted by Sandy Fenton, is broadcast Saturdays 11:00AM to 12:00PM on iHeartMedia’s WHP580. For more information, go to whp580.com and click on the link to "Let’s Talk Travel."
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
Now!