Sips & Trips Radio

Matt@highparktravel.com 8286191060 Picture this. You wake up in a new port every couple of days. You eat what you want, when you want. You sign up for the sunrise yoga class or sleep through it without negotiating. You book the shore excursion that actually interests you instead of the one your travel companion would tolerate. Welcome to solo cruising, where the itinerary is yours and the compromi...

This report outlines emerging  global travel patterns  for the upcoming years, highlighting a significant surge in interest for  Scotland and Ireland  driven by popular media. The author emphasizes that  extended itineraries  are now essential for a quality experience in Italy, while  Japan and New Zealand  represent high-value opportunities due to favorable currency exchanges. Modern travelers ar...

One comment I hear frequently when receiving a new inquiry from a potential client is, “We aren’t five-star travelers; we wouldn’t feel comfortable in that environment.” I often acknowledge their concerns and reassure them that most people who work with us are equally comfortable in four-star hotels. However, what I want to debunk is the idea that travelers with moderate to high disposable income...

This article by Matt Wolfe of High Park Travel explores the  professional philosophy  behind orchestrating high-end cruise vacations. The source emphasizes that while travelers should enjoy a  seamless, stress-free experience , successful voyages actually require  meticulous logistical planning  and expert advocacy behind the scenes. Key takeaways include the importance of  matching a ship's u...

Matt Wolfe , has three degrees. Graduate of St. Pete Junior College, A.A. Mass Communications, B.F.A. University of S. Florida, Art & Photography, Therapist A.S., Walter’s State. Carol Birkner , holds a B.S. East TN State, as an educator, IT technology specialist. We are members of Coastline Travel Group, Virtuoso Consortia, CLIA cruise membership . World Travelers. We are Certified Travel Spe...

https://www.highparktravel.com/blog Matt Wolfe , has three degrees. Graduate of St. Pete Junior College, A.A. Mass Communications, B.F.A. University of S. Florida, Art & Photography, Therapist A.S., Walter’s State. Carol Birkner , holds a B.S. East TN State, as an educator, IT technology specialist. We are members of Coastline Travel Group, Virtuoso Consortia, CLIA cruise membership . World Tr...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ Vienna The AMALea arrived in Vienna early in the morning in the midst of clearing fog on Day 5. With a full day and evening planned in the city of Johan Strauss, known for great composers, beautiful architecture, and museums I was particularly excited for this day.  Once again we had chosen a bike tour to see the city, the most active of all levels offered by AMA. T...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ Traveling from west to east on the Danube our next two ports, city centers were Linz followed by Durnstein both in Austria. Again with AMA we had many options of places to visit. For example, in the city of Linz we had the following options: Day tours of either Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov, both via motor coach followed by a gentle walking tour with 3 hours of free tim...

https://www.highparktravel.com/blog/from-bavarian-beer-halls-to-the-blue-danube-days-1-amp-2 Despite the usual fatigue from a red eye flight we went to explore the town with a lunch stop at Hofbräuhaus to listen to live polka band performance, sample the beer, and have traditional german food. The two other couples, Carol’s parents and aunt/uncle are non drinkers they did enjoy the festive atmosph...

https://www.highparktravel.com/blog/ibc6szvglh3dir261amcthsix3hbt0 The provided text is an excerpt from a travel blog by  High Park Travel  detailing the upcoming "Romantic Danube" river cruise itinerary with  AMAWaterways , set for November 1. It provides biographical information on the authors and certified travel specialists,  Matt Wolfe and Carol Birkner , and highlights their profes...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ Matt Wolfe , has three degrees. Graduate of St. Pete Junior College, A.A. Mass Communications, B.F.A. University of S. Florida, Art & Photography, Therapist A.S., Walter’s State. Carol Birkner , holds a B.S. East TN State, as an educator, IT technology specialist. We are members of Coastline Travel Group, Virtuoso Consortia, CLIA cruise membership . World Travel...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ The Asia Dilemma, Solved Planning a multi-country Asian itinerary independently requires orchestrating countless details: Navigating visa requirements for multiple countries Booking internal flights between distant cities Researching accommodations across varying standards Arranging transportation with language barriers Packing and unpacking as you move between dest...

Matt & Carol are your go to travel agents in Asheville and beyond. Certified River Cruise specialists for Viking, AMAWaterways, and Seabourn. Members of CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association. Use their knowledge and expertise to find the right vacation for you. All types of Cruises sailing 7 continents, all the rivers in Europe & Asia, and includes our best sellers- Alaska and the D...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ Remember when travel meant savoring every moment?  When the journey itself was just as enchanting as the destination?  We're here to reintroduce you to that magical concept through an unexpected lens: river cruising. Rediscovering Slow Travel on Europe's Rivers You might be skeptical. "Slow travel on a cruise?" But imagine this: You're stretche...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ High Park Travel LLC based in Asheville/Hendersonville, NC are local travel advisors who help clients discover and learn about the world. A cruise vacation is the perfect choice for your next group getaway, and I’m going to convince you.  After many years of planning group trips of all kinds, I can tell you with absolute certainty: cruising is the secret to stress-f...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ Asheville Travel Agents Discuss important information about Luxury Cruising for Asheville and Hendersonville clients to learn about the pros of ocean cruising. Forget everything you thought you knew about cruise dining. Today's luxury cruise ships aren't just floating resorts – they're floating epicurean empires where Michelin-starred chefs create magic,...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ Have you ever returned from a "budget-friendly" vacation only to find your credit card bill was anything but friendly?  A client recently shared their shock at spending over $3,000 in extras on their "affordable" cruise – from specialty dining fees to shore excursions, drinks, and gratuities.  That's when I knew it was time to share cruising&...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ Europe's Hidden Harbor Gems: Small Ship Access Picture yourself stepping off your ship directly into a medieval village where locals still gather at the morning market, or anchoring in a pristine bay that larger ships simply can't access. This is the advantage of choosing an expedition or small-ship cruise that specializes in these hidden harbors. Korčula, C...

https://www.highparktravel.com/ "We only have 18 summers with our children before they're grown." Do you ever find yourself looking at your children, wondering where the time has gone? That toddler who once needed your hand to steady every step is now racing ahead, their independence growing by the day. Those precious childhood years—the ones everyone warned would "go by in a fl...

https://highparktravel.com Have you ever found yourself saying "I'm not a cruise person"? If you're picturing massive ships with water slides and thousands of passengers, I'd like to introduce you to cruising's best-kept secret: the intimate world of small ship cruising. Forget everything you know about cruise ships - these boutique floating hotels are rewriting the rules of ocean travel. Small Sh...

Why Cruising Is Your Family's Secret Weapon. The Ultimate Multi-Generation Vacation Guide: Why Cruising Is Your Family's Secret Weapon Sound familiar? Then I discovered what savvy family planners have known for years: cruising is the ultimate hack for multi-generational travel. Here's why your next family gathering belongs at sea. Let's be honest – planning a trip for multiple generations feels li...