Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line.

Formed in 2002 with a fleet of three ships, Oceania is now celebrating its sixteenth anniversary and has grown to six beautiful intimate ships calling on more than 450 ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific and epic 180-day Around the World Voyages. Their fleet of warm and luxurious ships consists of Regatta, Insignia, Nautica & Sirena which accommodate 684 guests and Marina & Riviera which accommodate 1250 guests.

In 2018, Oceania unveiled more than 80 exclusive and immersive land tours for in-depth exploration. These new offerings are the line’s most extensive to date and include pre-, post-, and mid-cruise options for Australia, Asia, Africa, Egypt and the Holy Land as well as Europe, South America, Alaska and Canada – ranging from one night to five nights in length. Offerings range from overnight packages to the world’s most exciting metropolises to overland explorations to Angkor Wat and Chang Mai, luxury safaris on Africa’s most sought-after private reserves or ventures into the Swiss and Italian Alps or the Arabian Desert and even an expedition into the Himalayan Mountains to legendary Kathmandu and Mount Everest. Oceania continues to create unique and meaningful experiences for their guests.

As you sail from one captivating destination to the next, Oceania Cruises’ commitment to culinary excellence shines from beginning to end. In 2018, the cruise line unveiled new dinner

menus that are the most expansive and diverse at sea. The menus feature an incredible spectrum of world flavors as well as an all-new Executive Chefs Food & Wine Pairing, available every evening and featuring the chef’s selection of exquisite dishes specifically curated for their complementary and contrasting flavors. Another stand-out attraction of the menus are the “Global Cuisine” dishes each evening that are bolder and more adventurous ethnic dishes for the traveler with a spirit of spice.

Each evening in the Grand Dining Room, guests will be treated to more than two dozen dishes to choose from. Every menu incorporates their acclaimed and imaginative vegetarian dishes along with their Canyon Ranch Balanced Selections that follow their mantra for indulgent, yet healthy living. There is no additional cost for their specialty restaurants which vary from ship to ship - Polo Grill, Tuscana, Jacques, Red Ginger and Tuscan Steak; however, The Bistro can be found in The Grand Dining Room for lunch on all ships. Travelers sailing for the first time with Oceania Cruises or the 50th, will delight at the diversity of selections with fresh and bold flavors, in addition to classic dishes that have been favorites ashore and at sea, for years to come.

Baristas, their delightful coffee bar, offers espressos, cappuccinos and lattes prepared by master baristas as well as delicious pastries, finger sandwiches and homemade biscotti.

The Culinary Center, the first cooking school at sea to offer hands-on instructions, can be found on Marina and Riveria. Under the tutelage of master chefs, you can participate in a wide variety of cooking classes in which you actually prepare the recipes yourself in

their state-of-the-art culinary center.

The Canyon Ranch Spa on board Oceania offers amazing services, things to do and unique opportunities while cruising on their ships. You will find state-of-the-art fitness centers along with aerobics and yoga as well as presentations on how to enhance nutritional balance and spiritual wellness. Healthy living and spiritual awareness are at the very heart of the Canyon Ranch philosophy. Of course, the star element of any Canyon Ranch experience is a spa treatment that will leave you wondering how anything could feel quite so perfect.

Oceania Cruises appeals to discerning, sophisticated travelers in search of world-class cuisine, unparalleled personal service, a luxurious onboard ambiance and enriching destination experiences. Combining a casually sophisticated onboard experience with the most alluring destinations around the world, they provide their guests with a truly extraordinary travel experience. It is truly a five-star product and positions the line as the cruise company of choice for travelers seeking a truly refined and casually elegant travel experience. Whatever corner of the globe beckons you, Oceania Cruises takes you there in comfort and style.

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WINTER

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Your World. Your Way.

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Taste of Scotland & IrelandDee King

Take a guided vacation through Scotland and Ireland and experience the best of two beautiful countries. Enjoy the

most-beloved attractions at a lively pace starting in Glasgow, Scotland and ending in Dublin, Ireland. Some trip highlights will include a Loch Ness Cruise, a drive around St. Andrews – best known as the “Home of Golf,” Edinburgh Castle, Belfast and the Titanic, Dublin Sightseeing & Canal Dinner Cruise, Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence,” Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher to name a few.

Expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theatre and dance with reserved seats for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 30 to August 20 departures.

Enjoy farm life as you sample fresh baked scones with tea and watch a sheep herding demonstration. Discover the rich history and local lore of Edinburgh, Galway and Dublin with local guides.

This itinerary can be booked on a 10-day or 11-day tour from March through February, 2019, and includes 9 or 10 break-fasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners including a Scottish evening in Edin-burgh and a festive medieval castle banquet. From $2499 pp double occupancy.

The Best of Italy & SicilySharon Flick

Your guided tour begins in Milan and continues to Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, Capri, Sorrento and on to Sicily visiting, Pizzo Calabro, Cefalu, Palermo, Marsala, Agrigento and ending on the Taormina Riviera.

Globus has created special experiences that will bring you behind the scenes, spotlight the unique stories of your journey and bring to life the local flavor of your destination. Enjoy guided walking tours, private boat rides, wine tasting, medieval towns, ferry crossings and so much more.

Among the many highlights, while in Rome, you will visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica and the Colosseum.

This 16-day journey starts in April and runs through mid-October in 2019. Included, will be a full buffet breakfast daily and seven three-course dinners including dinner at a local restaurant in Florence and Taormina. For a detailed itinerary, please call the travel advisors at Warwick Travel. From $4,099 pp double occupancy.

Grandeur of Peru

Janis Belch, CTC

From Cuzco and the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, your adventure will show you Peru’s beauty, culture and wealth of Colonial and Inca sites.

You will sit down to dinner overlooking a 4th-century pyramid in Lima and delight in a farm-to-table lunch on a Colonial hacienda in the Sacred Valley; discover storied Inca sites and lesser-visited gems like the terraces of Moray; join Cuzco residents in the lively San Pedro Market and learn how to select traditional Andean ingredients for your private, roof-top cooking class; ride in luxury on the Hiram Bingham Train through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu for a 2-day visit; spend the night at the Sanctuary Lodge next to the Lost City and be among the first to enter the site for an inspiring visit in the golden light of dawn; spend two nights overlooking Lake Titicaca and visit the floating islands and communities of the Uros people.

This amazing 10-night/11-day journey begins and ends in Lima. Your expert resident guide will take you on an adventure of a lifetime with never more than 16 guests. Included are 26 meals – 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 9 dinners with wine and beer at all mid-day and evening meals plus all on-tour transportation including airport transfer, 3 internal flights and the luxury Hiram Bingham Train. From $6,999 pp double occupancy.

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Adventures with NancyNancy Alligood, CTC

2019 – October 12-23: Oceania Cruise Reflections of Cuba

Join Nancy on the Oceania Insignia for an 11-Night Cruise, Roundtrip Miami, visiting Key West, overnighting in Havana, Cienfuegos & Santiago de Cuba and a stop in Nassau. You will have six days to explore Cuba. O Life Choice Amenities

include Airfare from a Gateway City, Unlimited Internet – one device per cabin, plus 6 Free Shore Excursions per cabin. Additional Amenities include Free Pre-Paid Gratuities and a Private Cocktail Party. From $2599. If interested, please contact Nancy now as space is very limited.

2020 – Mid-June to Mid-July: Enchanting Rhine River Cruise

Spend 2-nights in Zurich, 2-nights in Lucerne, Switzerland, and a 7-night river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam on the beautiful Rhine River. Visit Breisach, Strasbourg, Ludnigshafen, Rudesheim and Cologne, Germany, with points of interest along the way. More details to follow. If interested, please call Nancy and to add your name to her list.

Grand Australia& New ZealandAmy Hill

This new itinerary has marvels, both natural and monumental, that astound throughout your journey in the lands down under. Explore the red rock

monolith of Ulura (Ayers Rock) rising out of Australia’s “Red Center” – savor local wines and green-lipped mussels in Marlborough Sounds – experience Sydney on a foodie tour and a harbor cruise – swim and snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef during a three-night stay in a Queensland rainforest – savor daily life in Blenheim, scenic sights in Milford Sound and high adventure in Queenstown, with jet boating and a helicopter and gondola ride – toast wines on Waiheke and cultural traditions in Auckland and so much more.

Recognized the world over, one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks takes center stage when you visit the white-sailed Sydney Opera House on a Guided insider tour.

This amazing 20-day guided adventure runs from January to December, 2019, starting in Melbourne and ending in Auckland and fills up quickly. It includes 19 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 13 dinners. From $13,590 pp double occupancy. Small group departures are available.

At Your Service:

Your Warwick Travel Staff~ NEWPORT NEWS OFFICE ~

Nancy Alligood, CTC, General Manager,

Co-Owner, Newsletter Editor

Gerry Siekirski, Group Specialist/Co-Owner

Kim Gambino, Travel Agent Manager

Sharon Flick, Travel Counselor

Linda Waynick, Travel Counselor

Emily Barker, Travel Counselor

Morag Richards, Travel Counselor

Susan Adams, Operations Manager

~ WILLIAMSBURG OFFICE ~

Dee King, Assistant Manager

Janis Belch, CTC, Travel Counselor

Amy Hill, Travel Counselor

Clients Corner – Eddie & Cherry Robinson, Williamsburg VA

Dee - many thanks for the recommendation of AMAWaterways for our first river cruise along the Danube, they turned out to be an excellent choice. The accommodation on the ship was first class, the food consistently good, including their award winning Chefs Table. However, really, it was the the crew who impressed us most. All were very friendly, but also clearly competent - as they showed when dealing with a couple of early significant unexpected challenges (both beyond their control) on the river. They also kept us fully up to date with what the situation was. AMA is a family owned business and that culture comes across in the attitude of the crew. The Danube where we cruised (between Nuremberg and Budapest) is simply beautiful; and we were fortunate to have a spectacular sunset for our last night as we cruised past the magnificent buildings of Budapest - truly memorable. We will certainly look at other AMA Waterways for future vacations - again thanks for recommending them.

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Homeport Cruising from Norfolk - 2019 CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES Bahamas & Turks/Caicos 7-Night Cruise on the Sunrise, April 29. Call for rates. Bahamas 6-Night Cruise on the Sunrise, May 6. Call for rates. Bahamas 5-Night Cruise on the Sunrise, May 12 & 17. Call for rates. Bahamas 6-Night Cruise on the Sunrise, Oct 14 & 20. From $599.

Homeport Cruising from Baltimore - 2020 CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE Bahamas 5-Night Cruise on the Sunrise, May 4 &15. From $649. Bahamas 6-Night Cruise on the Sunrise, May 9. From $729. Bahamas 6-Night Cruise on the Radiance, Oct 12. From $729. Bahamas & Cuba 7-Night Cruise on the Radiance, Oct 18 & 25. From $819. Bahamas 5-Night Cruise on the Radiance, Nov 1. From $619

Unless otherwise noted, fares are cruise only, per person rates based on double occupancy; subject to availability and capacity controlled by the cruise line. Amenities apply. Government fees, taxes and airfare are not included unless specifically stated in offer.

Cruise News

AMA WATERWAYS Melodies of the Danube 12-Night River Cruise, Mar – Dec, Budapest to Prague. Visit river ports in Bratislava, Slovkia; Vienna & Grein, Austria & Weissenkirchen, Germany. Includes 2-hotel nights in Budapest & 3-hotel nights in Prague. AVALON WATERWAYSFascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River 12-Night River Cruise, Feb thru Dec, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap. Visit river ports in Vietnam & Cambodia. Includes 3-hotel nights in Ho Chi Minh City & 2-hotel nights in Siem Reap. CRYSTAL RIVER CRUISESDanube Christmas Markets 9-Night River Cruise on the Ravel, Dec 1 & 11, Roundtrip Vienna. Visit river ports in Melk, Linz & Krems, Austria; Passau & Vilshofen, Germany; Bratislava, Slovakia.

TAUCK RIVER CRUISESImpressions From The Seine: Paris to Normandy 7-Night River Cruise on the MS Sapphire, Roundtrip Paris. Visit river ports in Versailles, Rouen, Duclair, Caudebec-en Caux, Les Andelys, Vernon & Giverny, France.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISESAlluring Amsterdam & Vienna 14-Night River Cruise on the River Princess, Apr to Oct, Amsterdam to Vienna. Visit river ports in Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Volkach, Bamberg, Nuremberg & Passau Germany; Engelhartszell & Durnstein, Austria.

VIKING RIVER CRUISESWaterways of the Tzars, 12-Night River Cruise, May to Oct, St. Petersburg to Moscow. Visit river ports in Mandrogy, Kizhi Island, Kuzino, Yaroslavl & Uglich, Russia.

Ocean Cruises – 2019

River Cruises – 2019

CELEBRITY CRUISESItaly, Spain & Monaco 10-Night Cruise on the Edge, Jun 5, Aug 30, Sep 20 & Oct 11, Roundtrip Rome. Visit ports in Naples, Santa Margherita, Florence, Italy; Palma De Mallorca, Barcelona (overnight), Spain; Monte Carlo, Monaco. CRYSTAL CRUISESAdriatic Adventure 7-Night Cruise on the Serenity, Sep 14, Roundtrip Venice. Visit ports in Venice (overnight), Italy; Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Dubrovnik & Split, Croatia; Koper, Slovenia. HOLLAND AMERICA LINENorthern Isles 14-Night Cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam, Aug 4, Roundtrip Amsterdam. Visit ports in Newcastle upon Tyne, England; South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland; Reykjavik, Isafjorour & Akureyri, Iceland; Alesund & Bergen, Norway. PRINCESS CRUISESAlaska Denali Explorer 12-Night Cruisetour on the Royal Princess, Aug 5 or 19, Anchorage to Vancouver. Visit Anchorage, Mt. McKinley and Denali on land and visit ports in Skagway, Juneau & Ketchikan on your southbound cruise.

REGENT CRUISESBaltic Radiance 10-Night Cruise on the Explorer, July 29, Stockholm to Copenhagen. Visit ports in Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania and Berlin, Germany.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONALBermuda 5-Night Cruise on the Grandeur, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep & Oct, Roundtrip Baltimore. Visit Bermuda from Kings Wharf port. VIKING OCEAN CRUISESEastern Seaboard Explorer 13-Night Cruise, Sep, Montreal to New York. Visit ports in Montreal, Quebec City, Saguenay and Gaspe, Canada; Halifax, Novia Scotia; Boston & New York, USA.

WINDSTAR CRUISESTreasures of the Greek Isles 7-Night Cruise on the Wind Star, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep & Oct, Roundtrip Athens. Visit ports in Nafplio, Mykonos, Patmos,

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Enjoy an even more carefree experience with OLife Choice, offering you the flexibility to personalize your vacation experience including Roundtrip Airfare plus your choice of one of the following:

• Free Shore Excursions• Free Beverage Package or• Free Shipboard Credit

The Oceania Cruises ExperienceEach of their voyages is an invitation to discover your next travel story and reignite your passions. Experience faraway places that you have always dreamed of. Encounter new ways of looking at the world and travel to the far corners of the globe. Savor your experience with imaginative insider tours that immerse you in the heart of the destination’s culinary and cultural traditions. Thousands of reasons – one passion. There are as many reasons to travel as there are travelers in this world. It’s your turn to embrace your passion for travel with Oceania Cruises.

Oceania Cruises – 2019Historical Wonders 10-Night Voyage on the Riviera, May 15, Rome to Venice. Visit ports in Sorrento/Capri, Catania & Ravenna, Italy; Valetta, Malta; Corfu, Greece; Kotor Montenegro; Split & Rijeka, Croatia.

Western Europe Mosaic 12-Night Voyage on the Nautica, May 18, Barcelona to Lisbon. Visit ports in Alicante, Granada, Arrecife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria & Seville, Spain.

Alaska’s Stunning Scenery 7-Night Voyage on the Regatta, Jun 12, Roundtrip Seattle. Visit ports in Sitka, Juneau & Ketchikan, Alaska; Victoria, British Columbia.

Coastal Creations 10-Night Voyage on the Sirena, Jun 18, Monte Carlo to Barcelona. Visit ports in Portofino, Sardinia & Sicily, Italy; Corsica, France; Almeria, Cartagena, Valencia & Mallorca, Spain. Alaska’s Glaciers & Gardens 10-Night Voyage on the Regatta, Jun 19, Seattle to Vancouver. Visit ports in Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka & Ketchikan, Alaska. Victoria, British Columbia.

Art & Antiquities 11-Night Voyage on the Riviera, Jun 23, Rome to Venice. Visit ports in Sorrento/Capri & Catania, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Katakolon, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik & Split, Croatia; Koper, Slovenia. Baltic Marvels 7-Night Voyage on the Marina, Jul 4, Stockholm to Copenhagen. Visit ports in Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Berlin Germany.

Alaska’s Wildlife & Frontiers 11-Night Voyage on the Regatta, Jul 26, Seattle to Vancouver. Visit ports in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway & Sitka, Alaska; Prince Rupert & Victoria, British Columbia.

Treasures of the Tropics 14-Night Voyage on the Insignia, Miami to New York. Visit ports in Havana, Cuba’ Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire; St. George’s, Grenada; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John’s, Antiqua; St. George, Bermuda.

Celtic Kingdoms 10-Night Voyage on the Marina, Aug 4, Roundtrip London. Visit ports in Edinburgh, Invergordon & Glasgow, Scotland; Dublin, Ireland; Portland, England.

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New England’s Magnificent AutumnKim Gambino

The fall months are a very special time to visit America’s iconic Northeast. The tinted landscapes, quaint communities

and bustling cities erupt in sensational color, making for some of the most spectacular drives imaginable. A wonderful blend of scenery, from coastal towns to lush valleys, dreamy resorts to captivating cities, offer a stunning backdrop to an array of VIP experience and exceptional dining.

Enjoy a private, after-hours, docent-led tour of the Norman Rockwell Museum, housing the largest collection of his illustrations, photographs and memorabilia. An icon of the American Revolution, the Old North Church welcomes you as you follow the Freedom Trail along with a private tour of this National Historic Landmark. See why Table Six is the top-rated fine dining restaurant in the Berkshires featuring amazing ambiance, flawless service and world-class dishes with a local flair.

All of this and more as you begin your 10-day journey from Boston to Maine, New Hampshire to Vermont and end in New York. Included are 9 breakfasts and 5 dinners. From $5595 pp double occupancy.

Costa Rica:A World of NatureLinda Waynick

By land and by sea, a thrilling journey awaits you as you seek out to discover

the essence of Pura Vida.

Experience Costa Rica’s thrilling landscape from above as you zip line over green canopies or make your way across lava fields for an up-close-and-personal look at Arenal Volcano on a moderate hike along the trails.

Become one with nature from a jungle oasis in Tortuguero to the remote wonders of Manuel Antonio National park as nature is truly all around you. Enjoy 2-nights in each locale where you can seek out the elusive green macaw and let monkeys be your alarm clock in Tortuguero and enjoy free time in Manuel Antonio to hike or go for a swim in turquoise waters.

Get up close with crocodiles as you head down the Tarcoles River on an exhilarating jungle safari. Float along beneath the towering jungle, looking just below water’s surface for a glimpse of these incredible creatures that heavily populate this section of the river.

This 12-day small group adventure includes 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners. From $2799 pp double occupancy.

Agent Spotlight: Emily Barker

Please welcome Emily Barker to the team of Travel Advisors at Warwick Travel. With her knowledge and expertise, she will be happy to assist you with your travel needs.

In 1989 Emily travelled to Houston, where her grandmother lived and owned an agency to follow in her footsteps and learn the travel business. While in Houston, she attended System

One (now Amadeus) training. A few months later she decided to move back to the Hampton Roads area, where she started work at Lawton’s Travel. In 2000, she accepted a position at UNIGLOBE Travel World, where five years later became a co-owner. In January 2019, Emily accepted a position at Warwick Travel Service.

Emily enjoys working in all aspects of travel to include business and leisure travel. With every reservation she makes, she pays attention to the details that mean the most to her clients. Whether you are looking for seat 14C on your business trip or an upgrade to an oceanfront room on your bucket list dream Caribbean trip, she is there to assist you in taking care of all of the details. This year, Emily will be celebrating 30 years in the world of travel.

Over the years Emily has traveled to 20+ US States as well as cruising to many destinations. When her children were younger, she and her husband enjoyed many camping trips. At this time, their granddaughter, Audrey, is the joy in their life!

Warwick Travel is excited to have Emily join our team. Please give her a call, make an appointment and come in to discuss your travel dreams!

Warwick Travel encourages appointmentsbut walk-ins are always welcome!

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Reprinted with permission from the May 2018 Oyster Pointer.August 2018 www.OysterPointer.net OYSTER POINTER 23

Konnichiwa—Hello! My recent travels took me to Japan, “The Land of the

Rising Sun,” a name chosen more than 1,800 years ago because the country was so close to where the sun rises.

Japan is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean with dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks and thousands of shrines and temples. From contemporary art to ruins, relics and the surviving structures of an-cient capitals, Japan has more than a thousand years of history and culture on display. It attracted 28.69 million international tourists in 2017 and is a hot destination for 2018.

This was a new adventure for a group of Warwick Travelers. Our jour-ney began in Tokyo, Japan’s capital. We explored the famous Ginza district, where skyscrapers and neon lights meet high fashion. We later found ourselves at Traverse Shibuya Crossing, the busi-est intersection in the world.

We visited Tokyo’s famous Meiji Shinto Shrine, resting amid a forest in the city’s shadow. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths for a relax-ing stroll. Shinto, Japan’s native reli-gion, remains its major religion along-side Buddhism and Christianity.

Our visit to the gardens of the Imperial Palace, the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family, found us surrounded by moats and massive stone walls. The residence sits amid large public gardens in the center of Tokyo.

We experienced a delightful tea ceremony, a choreographic ritual of pre-paring and serving Japanese green tea called Matcha, together with Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea. The ceremony represents har-mony, respect, purity and tranquility.

On to Hakone, Japan’s Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park west of Tokyo, a mountainous town known for its hot springs resorts and magnificent views of the iconic volcano, Mt. Fuji.

Our next day took us to the Kawaguchi “Five Lakes” area, where we climbed aboard the Kachi Kachi Ropeway ascending over 1,300 feet.

TRAVELWISE

Japan, the Land of the Rising SunBy Nancy B. Alligood, CTC, Warwick Travel Service

Here we viewed the glorious Mt. Fuji and its surrounding lakes.

Our travels continued through the Japanese Alps on to Matsumoto and the picturesque town of Takayama, located in Japan’s mountainous Gifu Prefecture. Here we explored winding streets lined with traditional inns, houses and shops.

The next day we crossed the moun-tainous Shokawa Valley on our way to Shirakawa-go, a charming village with thatch-roofed houses. Our ad-venture continued to the scenic town of Kanazawa, where gold leaf-making began in the 16th century.

On to Kyoto by express train. Kyoto, once Japan’s capital, is a city on the island of Honshu. It is famous for numerous classical Buddhist temples as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for formal traditions such as Kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise Japanese traditional cuisine with Geisha—female entertainers often found in the Gion district. A visit to Kyoto is never com-plete without trying a Kaiseki meal.

Geisha girls, with their porcelain painted faces, scarlet red lips and exqui-site kimonos, are the ultimate iconic symbol of Japan’s devotion to tradition, elegance and etiquette. Referred to as the “Flower and Willow World,” this almost secret society of the Geisha is one of the oldest yet most mysterious professions in Japan.

We visited the Nijo-Jo Castle with its beautiful gardens. It shows the power that the Shoguns wielded over the emperors throughout the Edo Period,

1603–1867. Later, we traveled to Kodai Yuzen-en Gallery for a lesson in the art of stenciling, followed by a wonderful view of Kyoto at Kiyomizu, a Buddhist temple high on a hillside.

At Fushimi Inari Taisha, we toured the shrine of Inari, the most impressive sight in Kyoto and the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.

The Shinkansen bullet train took us to Hiroshima, a modern city on Japan’s Honshu Island, largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park com-memorates the 1945 event. In the park are the ruins of Genbaku dome, one of the few buildings that remained stand-ing near ground zero. Touring the mu-seum was a moving experience.

After trying our first Japanese pizza, we boarded a ferry for the short ride to Miyajima Island, known as “Shrine Island,” to see the iconic Torii Gate, which appears to be floating on the water. The Torii is a traditional gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto Shrine. The Floating Torii of Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan’s most iconic sights.

Traveling to Japan was an exciting adventure. With its stunning landscapes and strong cultural identity, Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Another “bucket” list trip checked off!

Nancy B. Alligood, CTC is general manager/owner of Warwick Travel Service, Inc. and can be reached at 757-599-3011 or n_alligood@warwicktravel.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WARWICK TRAVEL

Left: Traditional tea ceremony. Above: The Floating Torii of Itsukushima Shrine

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Personal Service at its Best!

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WINTER

2019

Gerry’s AdventuresGerry Siekirski

2019

SEPTEMBER

Cruising the Adriatic and Dalmatian Coasts “CROATIA”

Join Gerry & Zee on an 11-day small ship adventure September 18 on the newly built yacht the MV Karizma. Only 18 cabins and we already have 14 cabins travelling with our own “fun group”!

Enjoy 2 nights in a Dubrovnik resort before boarding “our yacht” to explore the islands on the Croatian coast. We will visit Korcula the birthplace of Marco Polo and trace the footsteps of this famous explorer, Mljet, Hvar, Bol, Omis, Pucisca and Split. Great cruise/tour prices starting at $3299 per person and includes shore excursions, onboard dinners complemented with local wines and complimentary WiFi. A $400 deposit per person will hold your cabin, only 4 cabins left. Call Gerry today for a flyer on this exciting adventure!

2020

Planning a tour of Switzerland including the Glacier Express train in May. If interested call Gerry to put your name on her list.