Eat, Drink, Shop in Barcelona

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Matthew

Eat

Mercat de la Boqueria – along Las Ramblas, near Liceu metro station
La BoqueriaA stunning and lively outdoor marketplace selling all manner of wares and food items.
One of the most popular, accessible, dense, and largest markets in all of Europe. A bit pricey due to the tourist hordes but worth sampling and a visit. Can’t miss location midway down Las Ramblas, on the ancient site of an old monastery.

Tapaç24 – Carre de la Diputacio 269, L’Eixample
Tapac24A funky, nouveau tapas joint renowned for their alternative menus and quality items – a treat! Related to sister restaurant in El Born, Concerç24, which is a bit more traditional and pricey.

Cal Pep – Placa de les Olles 8, El Born
Rustic tapas & seafood restaurant popular with locals & tourist alike, on an enchanting little square. Counter/bar seating in front, charming back room restaurant (by required reservation) in back.

41° - Avinguda Parallel 164, Poble Sec
Cocktail bar with snacks, run by famous chef duo Ferran & Albert Adria of El Bulli fame (half the menu is borrowed from this acclaimed 3-Michelin-stared restaurant). Excessively expensive, but brand-new and THE current place to be – to see and be seen.
Hip twin Tickets bar next door.

Caelum – Carrer de la Palla 8, Barri Gotic
Caelum in barcelonaUnique gift shop and café, a bit overpriced for such simple fare, but worth supporting by a visit. Run by monks & nuns, it is a quiet oasis amid the bustle of the old town, and houses a small downstairs restaurant supposedly on the site of Barcelona’s medieval Jewish mikveh (rutual baths).

Maitea Taberna – Casanova 157, L’Eixample
Busy and affordable tapas restaurant with a Basque flair. Excellent wine list.

Restaurante Hispano – Passeig de Joan Borbo 21, Barceloneta
Classic seaside Catalan/Spanish spot in gritty Barceloneta, open for 60 years, with huge portions.

Drink

Any and every establishment will serve you the most sumptuous special coffee (such as for breakfast) for cheap, so ignore the overpriced and crass Starbucks locations for a change.

When dining out you’ll be pleasantly pleased by the reasonable prices for amazing quality wine and cava (the local drink: Catalan champagne)

Bar Mut – Pau Claris 192, L’Eixample
Upscale and popular hangout – cocktail, wine, & tapas bar near La Sagrada Familia

Hotel Omm lobby lounge & bar – Rossello 265, L’Eixample
Swanky, nouveau sitting bar on ground floor of cleverly designed hotel

B-Lounge @ Barcelo hotel bar – Rambla del Raval 17-21, El Raval
Small hip bar attached to hotel restaurant – a stark posh contrast amid the rough & ready Raval area

Angels & Kings Club @ ME Barcelona Hotel – Pere IV 272-286, Poblenou
Satellite location of popular New York bar, this is a fabulous open-air bar & club with swimming pool and dance floor, with eclectic and sumptuous decor

Shop

Vinçon – Passeig de Gràcia 96 – L’Eixample
VinconA fascinating & huge store of nick-nacks, design and household items well worth visiting – a kind of Spanish Ikea with souvenirs too. Also with an excellent café & terrace within where one can glimpse a unique (& otherwise free) view of Gaudi’s La Pedrera down the block.

Does your next Mediterranean cruise include Barcelona? Which of these establishments will you cross off your list?

Matthew Vaughan
Cruise & Travel Specialist
t: 604.737.8100 –ext. 116 | t: 1.800.565.2784
e: Matthew@CruiseExpertsTravel.com
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Food Photo: Caprese Salad

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Vanny

The Bay of Naples region of the Mediterranean is known for cuisine that’s fresh and simple. Tomoatoes, lemons, olives, and fresh vegetables pretty much round up the main ingredients for most meals here. Not much else is added and it is simple perfection.

Shown above is the Caprese salad that Cruise Experts Travel’s President, Denis Lim had when he visited Capri an island on the south sound on the Gulf of Naples, often a day trip visit for cruise ship passengers docked in Naples or anchored in Sorrento.

The Caprese Salad, which is fresh Bocconcini cheese, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil drizzled in virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar is native to Capri. The three colors represent the Italian flag!

They often say less is more. Have you had a simple dish like this that just tantalized your taste buds?

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Sail Europe for less than $100/night per person, taxes included

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Vanny

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this deal… $529 for the second person and in the middle of summer, too! Plus onboard credit.

Here’s the deal. We’re offering 50% off the cruise fare for all Europe Celebrity Silhouette cruises and up to $200 onboard credit.

Let’s take this itinerary below as an example.

Sail date: July 30, 2010
Ship: Silhouette

Monday: Venice

Tuesday: At sea

Wednesday: Messina (Sicily), Italy

Thursday: At sea

Friday: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Saturday: Naples/Capri, Italy

Sunday: Valletta, Malta

Monday: At sea

Tuesday: Kotor, Montenegro

Wednesday: Split, Croatia

Thursday: Venice

Friday: Venice

Cost broken down, based on lowest available inside stateroom at the time of publishing:

First person $1059 + $92.98 taxes = $1151.98
Second person $529 + $92.98 taxes = $621.98 (savings of $530.30)

That means you and your travel companion could be sailing the Mediterranean for less than $100 per night each. This includes your accommodations, transportation from port to port, entertainment, and your meals. You can’t find this sort of deal on land — and this is onboard the Celebrity Silhouette, a gorgeous ship that exudes modern luxury!

There are other itineraries available. If you would like to experience Europe aboard the Celebrity Silhouette this summer, call 1-800-565-2784 to speak with a Cruise Expert today and make it happen! Sale ends in a few days — April 15, 2012!

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Now is the Time to Book Your Cruise

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Vanny

One of my favorite bloggers in the cruising world, Aaron Saunders of From the Deck Chair, recently wrote a post Why You Should Cruise – Now. Other than that cruising is a great way to travel, he points out there are deals to be had, right now.

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Aaron explains, “The cruise industry has been negatively impacted by the terrible events of January 13, and it’s not just Costa who’s feeling the pinch. Bookings are down across the board, and in a move to stimulate new bookings, many cruise lines are offering up some fantastic fares, deals, special perks and onboard amenities in an effort to entice passengers to book passage with them.”

Even though Aaron isn’t in the business of selling cruises, he recognizes what’s being offered now by many cruise lines is rare; cruising already is great value.

In my last post, I talked about amazing deals with Holland America where your kids can even cruise free. Yesterday, Royal Caribbean launched a promotion lasting until April 15. For as little as $1,349 per person, you’ll be getting a cruise and air.

On top of this, you can get a balcony stateroom for the price of an outside. And if you’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean before? Book an outside or higher category stateroom and you’ll save 10% off shore excursions. As a past Royal Caribbean passenger, refer your family and friends and receive onboard credit for doing so. Like Holland America, Royal Caribbean is making it irresistible.

Looking to grab this Royal Caribbean deal? Call our office at 1-800-565-2784. Remember, although the promotion goes through April 15, you want to secure your spot as soon as possible as space is limited.

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Irresistible! Summer in Europe with Holland America

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Vanny

Cruising offers great value for family travel (especially in Europe). Dining, accommodations, entertainment, and transportation from one port to the next – they’re all included in the cruise fare.

Holland America ship in Europe

Photo courtesy of Holland America Line

We understand the high airfare lately has been offestting great cruise prices though. So, for a limited time, we’re making it simply irresistible to cruise the fabled seas with our Holland America Summer in Europe sale.

Kids cruise free, and you’ll get air credit to help you out on those expensive flights. Choose from itineraries that last from 7 to 24 nights. Here are the details.

  • $450 Value Onboard Coupon Booklet
  • FREE upgrade from oceanview to verandah on select sailings of ms Eurodam, ms Noordam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam
  • FREE upgrade from interior to oceanview on select sailings of ms Ryndan, ms Rotterdam, ms Maasdam and ms Prinsendam
  • Air credit or shipboard credit
    • $500 air credit per stateroom on select 10+ day cruises,
    • $300 air credit on select 7 day cruises;
    • Or $200 shipboard credit in suites per stateroom on select sailngs.
  • FREE cruise fare for children 17 years old or younger when sailing as a 3rd/4th guest on select sailings.

Did you know that for 19 years in a row, Holland America has been awarded Best Overall Cruise Value by the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society?

Interested in learning more? Call our office at 1-800-565-2784.

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High Demand for Royal Princess

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Vanny

Just over a year ago, Princess Cruises announced that Royal Princess will debut in the spring of 2013. With features such as the over-water SeaWalk, adults only pool featuring private cabanas, and a top deck mid ship area that’s a pool getaway by day and disco by night, people couldn’t wait to book their spots!

Which is exactly what happened on March 15 of this year: sales for the new ship set a record for the most bookings of any ship’s maiden season voyages.

Here’s the video that got everyone excited!

On June 16, 2013, Royal Princess sails her inaugural voyage, a 7 day Iberia cruise from Southampton to Barcelona. Then begins her 12 day Grand Mediterranean cruise season between Barcelona and Venice on June 23. She has a guest capacity of 3,600 passengers.

Would you like to book a voyage aboard Royal Princess? Call 1-800-565-2784.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Launches Smartphone App iConcierge

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Vanny

Will you be sailing the Norwegian Epic? It’s now easier than ever for you to communicate with others onboard for a low introductory fee of $7.95 for the whole sailing… if you have a smartphone.

An industry first, Norwegian Cruise Line recently released a free app called the iConcierge for the iPhone, iPad, and mobile devices with the Android or Windows7 operating systems.

Screen shot of the features as seen on the iPhone.

You’ll be able to communicate with other smartphone users using voice and text messages on the same sailing. As you can see in the screen shot,  this app allows you to book Norwegian’s shore excursions, make dining reservations, access information about onboard services and review your onboard account, among other services.

Currently, this technology only works on the Norwegian Epic, however, service is expected to be available on the rest of the Norwegian fleet in the near future.

You can help someone win an Epic cruise in the Mediterranean by voting for your favorite video in our contest.

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Regent Whets Appetites with Offers

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Vanny

Lately, I’ve been writing about small ship experiences: AmaWaterways new river cruise itinerary in Portugal, Seabourn‘s unique itineraries, and Oceania‘s dining options. In the same category as these lines, but considered the most inclusive off all, is Regent Seven Seas.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Regent is a 6-star cruise line that has a contemporary style merged with timeless elegance. Their intuitive service coupled with Cruise Experts Travel’s exclusive deals are sure to whet the appetites of all discerning travelers as offers include…

  • Free roundtrip air and transfers from 23 cities
  • Free 1 night pre-cruise luxury hotel
  • Spacious all suite accommodations with replenished mini  bar
  • Premium wines, liquors, beer, soft drinks, coffee, bottled water, smoothies
  • ALL dining options INCLUDING specialty restaurants
  • Unlimited shore excursions
  • Prepaid gratuities
  • Taxes all in — no surprises.

On select voyages below, you’ll receive our exclusive bonuses: private cocktail reception and $400 additional shipboard credit per stateroom. Indicated with a Y below are sailings where you have the option to upgrade to business class for only $499.

On top of everything noted above, Regent is offering a FREE BUSINESS CLASS air upgrade for guests in a Penthouse or higher suite. Luxury cruising has never been more attractive.

Interested in sailing Regent this year? Call us soon at 1-800-565-2784 so you don’t miss out on these bonuses — offer expires March 31, 2012.

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Holland America’s Consultant Master Chef Named Best Cruise Line Chef

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Vanny

Cruise Experts Travel’s accountant, Amy, told me she loved the food onboard her Holland America cruise. One of our clients couldn’t stop raving about the cuisine onboard the Holland America ship he was on. Never have I heard anyone say the food was “okay” on Holland America.

So, when Porthole Cruise Magazine announced that Chef Rudi Sodamin was named Best Cruise Line Chef, it didn’t come as a surprise. This is the third time the Master Chef received this honor for his achievements at Holland America!

This video introduces you to Holland America’s culinary consultant Master Chef and how he’s able to do his job so well!

Sodamin has authored and published many cookbooks, including “Seduction & Spice” and Holland America Line’s Signature of Excellence cookbook series that includes: “A Taste of Excellence,” “A Taste of Elegance,” “A Taste of Celebration” and “A Taste of Appetizers.” Sodamin belongs to the Academy Culinaire deFrance, and is an honoree member of the Club de Chefs des Chefs.

Interested in sailing aboard a Holland America ship? Call 1-800-565-2784.

Posted in Announcements, Europe Cruises, Mediterranean Cruises, Scandinavia and Russia Cruises, Transatlantic Cruises, Western Europe Cruises | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

AmaWaterways Entices with 2013 Douro River Itinerary

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Vanny

The Douro River

The Douro River, one of two new itineraries AmaWaterways has added for 2013, looks amazing. I’m not sure what it is about Portugal that conjures up a strong desire to explore the country when I see it on a map.

I feel Portugal is often overshadowed by its neighbours: Spain, France and Italy. It may be the very mystique that I find alluring.

Image courtesy of AmaWaterways.

AmaWaterways is offering a 12-day itinerary which includes Lisbon and the 7-night cruise or choose to do the cruise only portion.

Here’s a summary of what to expect…

Day 1 Embark in Porto. Get to know your home for the week and meet new friends at the Welcome Dinner and Cocktail Party.

Day 2 Sail from Porto to Régua in the morning and upon arrival at your new destination, drive to Lamego for a city tour. The rest of the afternoon is yours to discover this lovely Baroque town independently.

Day 3 After a busy exploration day, a day onboard will be most welcomed especially when sailing from Régua to Barca D’Alva. You’re free to explore  the quaint town of Barca D’Alva on your own once your ship arrives this evening. Later return onboard to take in a Flamenco show. The ship moors overnight.

Free time to explore Barca d’Alva. There will also be an onboard Flamenco show on this day. Photo courtesy AmaWaterways.

Day 4 Drive to Salamanca, Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a full day tour. The city houses Spain’s oldest university, University of Salamanca founded in 1218. After , you’ll have time on your own before returning to the ship in Vegga Terrón. The ship moors here overnight.

Day 5 This morning, you tour Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a 16th century village with a tumultuous history, perched on a hilltop.

Castelo Rodrigo

Return to the ship for lunch as she makes her way to Pinhão. In the evening, partake in some wine tasting and have dinner at a local quinta (I had to look this up. It means a country villa or estate). The ship moors overnight in Pinhão.

Day 6 Sail to the Régua this morning for an excursion to the Palacio de Mateus. Lunch time, return to the ship as she makes her way to Bitetos. For dinner, you’ll be dining at the 14th century Alpendurada Monastery.

Day 7 Back in Porto, enjoy a tour of the 16th century buildings as well as the impressive iron bridge, built by French engineer, Gustave Eiffel, followed by further exploration of the Old City. Being this is the last night of your cruise, bid farewell to new friends at the Farewell Cocktail onboard.

This itinerary will be in high demand once more people learn about it. Would you like to find out more on this new itinerary or secure your spot? Call to speak with a River Cruise Specialist at 1-800-565-2784.

All images courtesy of AmaWaterways.
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