Unique-Journeys Archives - Unique Journeys LLC

Top 5 Train Rides in Missouri

Oct 29, 2021

Top 5 Train Rides in Missouri

If you are a train-lover, Missouri is one of the best places to go. There are many different train rides around Missouri that offer short or long rides. Some have themed days, others have amazing four-course meals, and almost all have beautiful sightseeing. Here we will discuss five of the top train rides around Missouri.

Best Dinner Train: Silver Chef, Branson Scenic Railway

The Branson Scenic Railway is known for its Polar Express train ride during the Christmas holidays, but it can also be enjoyed any time of the year. This train starts and ends in Branson, Missouri, and travels through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. A normal round-trip excursion costs between $2-$29 depending on age.

If visiting between April and October, couples and families can also enjoy a four-course dinner train, which leaves every Saturday at 5 pm. The dinner train runs from $69-$79.

Best Train for Themed Events: St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway

The St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway offers 2-hour roundtrip rides every Saturday at 1 pm on their ninety-five-year-old railcars. The train starts and stops in Jackson, Missouri. The train rides start between $10-17 for a normal Saturday ride, to $28-45 for a dinner train ride.

They also offer many themed events monthly, which can include Murder Mystery rides, Santa Express, dinosaur train, Chocolate Express, and a Historical Ghost Train. Check out their website for more details and themed events happening this month!

Best Train for a Short Ride: The Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad

The Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad is in Belton, Missouri. It is a short train ride at only 45 minutes round trip. Train lovers will enjoy the 1920’s passenger cars and the 1950’s locomotive train rolling through Old Towne Belton. Train rides are $12 for all ages 3 and up.

Best Train for Sight Seeing: Missouri River Runner, Amtrak

The Missouri River Runner goes between two major cities, St. Louis and Kansas City. If you are a lover of wine, it also stops off in Hermann, Missouri’s wine country. And for all the history buffs, it has a stop in the city of Independence, which is President Harry S. Truman’s hometown. The entire ride from St. Louis to Kansas City can take a little less than 6 hours. Tickets can be purchased on the Amtrak website.

Best Train for Kids: Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad Association, Glencoe

Visit the Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad for the most unforgettable miniature train ride. Hop aboard the 12-inch gauge steam railroad and travel the 2 miles through the woods and next to the Meramec River. The full round-trip ride takes about 30 minutes. Tickets are $20 for a full passenger car, and each passenger car can fit up to 5 people.

After enjoying your train ride you may be considering taking a cruise, here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

Top 5 Travel Apps

Aug 14, 2021

You will want to download these Top 5 Travel Apps.

Not only has the travel industry changed considerably in the last few years, but so are our habits when it comes to planning and organizing our holidays. If you would like to fully maximize your time and make sure that you can easily start planning your trip from your phone, keep reading as we are sharing the top 5 travel apps that you need!

SkyScanner

One of the top 5 travel apps Skyscanner is definitely the best platform to search for cheap and affordable flights. Their app is user-friendly, easy to use and it is worth having if you would like to have quick access to the best flight deals to your dream destination. Make sure to click the notification button if you would like to receive alerts as soon as there are any price changes to the flights you are looking to book.

HotelTonight

For all spontaneous travelers, HotelTonight is one of the top 5 best travel apps that you need to have! Just enter your location and the app will give you all last-minute discounted rates on hotels in your area. You can look for everything from luxurious boutique hotels to small guest houses and your reservation takes just a few minutes to complete. With friendly and professional 24/7 customer support, HotelTonight is an app you need to have on your phone!

Trail Wallet

If you are traveling on a budget, you definitely want to download the Trail Wallet app. You can easily set up your budget for the day and all you would have to do after is enter your expenses. The app even has a new feature, where you can just take a photo of your receipt and it will automatically track it for you. Not only is the app available offline, but it also has close to 220 currencies, which makes it one of the top 5 travel apps that you need and can easily use anywhere in the world!

CityMapper

Once you reach your destination, one of the most difficult tasks is to navigate your way around. That is why having CityMapper on your phone is a huge convenience. Within the app, you can find public transportation options in all major cities in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. Just enter your start and end location and the app will give you all possible transport options with prices, duration and detailed information on your route!

AllTrails

AllTrails is one of the top 5 travel apps, especially for those of you who prefer nature’s peace and quiet! With a total of 200,000 curated paths, the app is the perfect option to find trails near you. If you are concerned about not having service, it is a good idea to upgrade to the pro version as you would be able to download offline maps, which you can easily follow even when you do not have service. Another benefit of the pro version is that percentage of every membership is used to protect our Planet!

Bonus Tip

Before heading on your next holiday, do not forget to scan all your personal documents, such as passport, driving license, visas, etc., and add them to your Google Drive! This is an easy way to ensure that you will have access to any identification document at any time in case something happens. This is such an easy way to be prepared for the unexpected, but it is often neglected by tourists.

Are you ready to download these top 5 travel apps that you need to book and organize your travel plans? Install them now and enjoy a hassle-free vacation!

We are in a different world today than we were last year and for this reason, it is more important than ever to depend on the knowledge and expertise of a travel agent. I am committed to making sure you have the most up-to-date information available to make your vacation what you have dreamed it to be. We have all waited to be able to travel and now is the time to savor the joy of travel with friends and family. To that end, I have created several articles with tips to help you with the decision-making process.

Here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. Contact me at Unique Journeys. I will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

How to Plan a Multi-Generational Family Vacation

Jun 13, 2021

Tips on How to Plan a Multi-Generational Family Vacation.

Do you struggle to get the entire family together? Would you love to finally organize a trip for all members of your family? Think of all fun you can have fun while spending time with each other?

A family vacation can be a fantastic experience; however, it needs to be very carefully planned before it ends up being a stressful nightmare. Keep reading to read our top 6 tips on how to plan a multi-generational family holiday!

Start Planning Way in Advance

The first step in planning a multi-generational family vacation is making sure that you are all on the same page. That is the reason why you need to start planning way in advance. First, the more people will be traveling together the more difficult it would be to coordinate the best time to go. Secondly, though, planning ahead of time also means that you would have enough time to discuss what each person’s expectations are. If you live in the same city, plan dinners where the main topic to discuss will be the upcoming trip, if you live far away from each other, plan family calls and have an agenda and topics to cover, such as the destination, how long are you going for, when are you taking the holiday, etc.

Build the Excitement

We would really stress the benefits of getting the children involved in the planning. Anyone who is invested in the trip will be more willing to go along with others and what they want to do. Purchase magazine articles, other sources periodically to get everyone excited and engaged with the planning process. You could even rent movies or DVDs about where they are thinking of going. Zoom meetings are also a good way to get everyone involved. If you are going on a cruise, you could have a zoom meeting with a representative of the cruise line, if going to a resort, there are quite a few YouTube videos you can access. Give the children that are old enough an “assignment” to find out interesting facts about where they are going. Then they can look for them when they get there and also so that they can report their findings in one of the planning meetings. Also, if you are going somewhere where there is a foreign language, everyone can try to learn some basic phrases and words. Also, learning about the different cultures and customs they children might encounter and why they are different from theirs so that they will have respect for the differences and understand that everyone has different beliefs, customs, etc. Maybe they can also find some recipes for local cuisine and try them out.

Have a Budget

When there are multiple people involved in a holiday, one of the most important topics is the budget. It is best to set a budget at the first stages of planning the holiday. If you are going on a multi-generational holiday, this means you will be traveling as a group. Group travels, though, can be expensive. Do not stress out too much, though, just have an honest discussion and determine what each person’s budget for this trip is. It is also a good idea to divide the expenses into different categories and maybe each person can pay for a different category.

Inclusives the cost is pretty well-known upfront and there will be very little outlay once you have paid for the trip. You might have to pay for drinks or excursions, but these would be at your own discretion and not something everyone would have to do. On AMA Waterways, for example, all shore excursions are included in the price. On most cruises, you can pay for your gratuities with the cost of your cruise too. Drinks are extra outside of meals, but then those who don’t drink won’t have that bar tab to worry about.

Find Balance Between Activities and Rest Time

One of the most difficult aspects of planning a multi-generational family holiday is deciding on the itinerary and the activities and places you would like to do and see. While there can be members of the younger generation, who would love to spend the entire day scuba diving or hiking, there might be elderly, who would prefer more time to relax and rest. It is important to remember that you need to make compromises and you are taking this trip so you can spend more time together. It is a good idea for each person to come up with a shortlist of what they would like to do during the trip once the families have decided on your destination. You can then have a common discussion and choose 1 or 2 items from each person’s list.

Do not be Afraid to Ask for Help

Planning a multi-generational family holiday can be extremely time-consuming, tiring, and stressful. It is important to remember that one person cannot make the arrangements for a few families. So do not be afraid to ask for help. You can either go to some of the other family members who can assist or if you are all too busy and occupied and find it too difficult to coordinate, you can even discuss the option of getting a travel agent, who would organize everything for you. A travel agent could actually save you money on this trip of memories.

Protection

We recommend purchasing insurance, as this pandemic has shown us that insurance is very important. We encourage everyone to take out insurance. We feel this is still very important going forward.

Just Enjoy, Have Fun and Create Memories Together

It is highly possible for some pressure to arise during the trip if some people are feeling left out. If this happens remind everyone why you have planned this multi-generational family holiday. It is to relax, enjoy, have fun, and most importantly to create memories together. Especially, if you only rarely see some of these people, it is vital to make the most of your time together and remember that you will only have this time now. Take photos, laugh, entertain each other, and create memories, which you will cherish long after you have gone back home.

If you choose to cruise this article may be of interest.

If you are perusing river cruises here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

EXPERIENCE THE WINES OF BORDEAUX

Feb 22, 2021

Experience the wines of Bordeaux on a Taste of Bordeaux cruise with AMA Waterways. You can start your journey by flying in Bilbao, Spain and ending in Paris or the reverse. Doing the pre and post-cruise extensions is a great way to extend your cruise, but if you are short on time, you can fly into and out of Bordeaux for your 7-night cruise. In either event, you will find that AMA Waterways has planned terrific stops along the way so that you can experience the full range of vineyards, wineries and other significant places of interest.

What an awesome itinerary through the different wine regions of Bordeaux

Cadillac

While touring the vineyards and learning about terroir, you will also learn about the “noble rot”. It may not sound appetizing, but it creates a great Sauterne, which you will be able to taste for yourself.

You may also have the opportunity to experience the great European tradition of the weekly farmers market. Why not pick up some bread and cheese to take back to the ship to share with your new friends. You will also find a French specialty known as Canele. Impossible to eat just one.

Experience local markets on your Taste of Bordeaux Cruise

You will also have the chance to visit a castle that has been in the same family for 700 years. Roquetataillade is a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. As spectacular as the castle is, you will marvel at the chapel with its Moorish influence.

Pauillac

On your cruise to Experience the Wines of Bordeaux, you are now entering the the Medoc Region. Pauillac is the gateway to this region which is home to some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates. This is your chance to experience a wine tasting of Grand Cru wines and to learn about the history associated with Grand Cru. There are several choices for your shore excursions, but they all end up with you tasting some great wines.

Bourg/Blaye

Once in Blaye you can see the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE of the 17th century citadel. You say you want a little more action? How about biking around the town!

You can either bike from Blaye to Bourg or enjoy the comfort of the ship as it sails there. AMA Waterways has arranged for an exclusive wine festival in Bourg. Here you can meet and mingle with the local wine growers while sipping on their local wines and enjoying live music and perhaps some dancing.

Libourne

Just when you thought you have seen the best, you will arrive in Libourne and a visit to Saint-Emilion. Perched on a hill, it has great views, great wine and an underground church. You will visit the monolithic church which was carved out of a single piece of limestone and the venture under the Church to explore the catacombs and caves. Now it’s time for another wine tasting since this region has their own brand of wine based on the distinctive terroir. Some of the production of wineries in the region is so small that they don’t export any of their wines. This is a great opportunity for the wine connoisseurs to take home a great wine that no one else is able to get. You can also bring back stories of your experience of getting up close and personal with the people who have created this great wine. What great bragging rights.

NOW IS NOT TOO SOON to begin taking steps to find your next exciting river cruise. Unique Journeys is a valuable asset to make certain you get the right cruise at the right time and for the right price. Don’t go it alone and risk not having the best experience possible. Contact me and together we will give you the vacation you deserve.

Now that you are perusing river cruises to make the perfect choice, here is a must read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience you will want to contact expert Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assistance you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

5 Things to Pack When Going on a Cruise

Dec 31, 2020

5 Things to Pack When Going on a Cruise

Are you planning a cruise vacation filled with great memories?

Are you already thinking about the main essentials that you need to pack? If yes, keep reading as we are sharing the 5 things to pack when going on a cruise and we are revealing more than the basics such as swimsuit,

flip flops and passport!

Binoculars

You might be surprised by our first choice of items to pack when going on a cruise, but a small pair of binoculars is a must-have in the open ocean. You might be thinking that everything it is to see is endless blue waters, but you are wrong. Along the way, you can see various marine creatures and birds. Not only this but as you are sailing through the sea you can see various small islands further in the distance, which would be difficult to notice with a naked eye. Trust us, you will witness a whole new world with just a small pair of binoculars.

Sunscreen and Aloe Vera

We bet that during your cruise you would want to spend most of your time outside on the deck and enjoying the warm sunny days. Be sure to pack the combination of strong tropical sun rays and continuous ocean breeze will certainly feel pleasant and refreshing on your skin until you go back to your cabin and look at the mirror. The sun in the middle of the ocean can be extremely dangerous and you can get sunburnt extremely quickly. That is the reason why tons of sunscreen, as well as various lotions with Aloe Vera, are among the top 5 things to pack when going on a cruise.

Sea Sickness Medication

The worst thing that can happen while you are enjoying your cruise holiday is to get seasick. Those who will be taking an international trip and sailing through the open ocean should know that there is a high chance that the ship will meet some strong and rough waves. Most cruises are prepared for situations like this and they would have some medications for the passengers. Even still, it is always a good idea to pack your own and know that you are well prepared. This is certainly one of the must-haves of 5 things to pack when especially if this is your first cruise ever.

Water Shoes

One of the main things that you would want to pack when going on a cruise vacation is to swim in the refreshing waters and enjoying various activities across the tropical beaches you will be visiting. Even some tropical beaches, however, do not have the sandiest beaches, and sometimes walking barefoot is not advisable. In other places, on the other hand, it is necessary to wear water shoes when snorkeling. If you are going on a longer cruise, it might be a challenge to research every pit stop along the way. So better be safe than sorry and pack a pair of water shoes with you!

Waterproof Phone Case

Finally on our list of the 5 things to pack when going on a cruise is a waterproof phone case. Taking a cruise vacation involves a lot of water and sand. At the same time, though, we are sure that you would love to take as many photos as possible and capture all the fun moments, that is the reason why you need to also consider using some protection for your phone. Not only will you be able to still use your touch screen and camera, but a lot of phone cases nowadays are even meant to be used underwater. Always check the manufacturer’s notes when getting a waterproof phone case, though.

Did you consider these 5 essential things to pack when going on a cruise?

Which one of these were you most likely to miss packing to go on your cruise?

NOW IS NOT TOO SOON to begin taking steps to find your next exciting river cruise. Unique Journeys is a valuable asset to make certain you get the right cruise at the right time and for the right price. Don’t go it alone and risk not having the best experience possible. Together we will give you the vacation you deserve.

Now that you are perusing river cruises to make a perfect choice, here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact expert Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.