Groups Archives - Ingenious Travel

Walking Tour of Dubrovnik Croatia Old Town

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Groups, Travel, on 16 April 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is certainly a treasure of picturesque and stunning scenery in the country of Croatia. The entire city is a wonderful sight to see, but its walled Old Town remains as the city’s crowning glory. There is no better way to explore this old fortress than to follow the direction of your own two feet.

You can begin your exploration from several other gates of the Old Town, but my personal favorite is from the ever-busy Pile Gate. Upon entry, it immediately sweeps you off your feet to a dizzying but exciting array of intriguing sights to see.

3 Fantastic Castle Stays in Ireland

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Groups, Ireland, Luxury, on 5 February 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Most people dream of one day living in the regal and whimsical castles they read about from childhood in storybooks. Now that many castles are opening their doors to the general public, you can live out your fantasy in the grandest fashion. Here are three of the best castles you can stay at in Ireland:

Photo from Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal

The Lough Eske Castle has, over the years, witnessed conquest, defeat, destruction, and restoration. Its long and vibrant history has established it as a symbol of warm Donegal hospitality, attracting international guests for over 150 years. The castle has earned a long list of awards and accreditations during this time, and rightfully so!

This impressive architectural wonder, with its tall steeples and majestic forests, has something to offer everyone! Its interior is intricately designed, with scintillating marble flooring, romantic fireplaces, spiral staircases, and brimming, unashamed extravagance.

If you manage to pull yourself away from the opulent interior, you will get to experience what many call the “walker’s paradise” as the International Appalachian Trail passes by the castle. There are also many amenities, such as an indoor swimming pool, fine dining with local cuisines, and a luxurious five-star spa. There are many activities to participate in like horse riding, archery, kayaking, and even surfing – if you’re willing to make the trip to Rossnowlagh or Bundoran.

Daydream Vacations: the Galapagos Islands

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Groups, on 7 August 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

So you’ve crossed off the last item on your “to-do” list, and you have a few minutes of extra time. Even if you are actively counting down the days to your next dream vacation, it can’t come soon enough. Since instant gratification for wanderlust is so hard to find, allow us to introduce the next best thing: a daydream vacation.

Why not take a “me” moment right now? The beauty of a daydream vacation is you get to go any time, regardless of how many vacation days you have saved. Refresh your coffee, mute your inbox notifications, and pull in a few calming breaths. Ready? Great, because we’re going to the Galapagos Islands!

Pinnacle Rock

Our journey begins at Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island – the most visited island in the Galapagos. The cone you see is basalt formed from the eruption of an underwater volcano. Let your eyes slip out of focus as you breathe in the salty air and abandon yourself in reverie of the stillness around you.

Yosemite National Park

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Groups, skiing, on 5 June 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

With many of us planning to stay closer to home this summer, more and more people are looking at visting national parks, with Yosemite National Park at the top of their list.

Hiking, rock climbing, skiing, biking or plain nature sightseeing – Yosemite National Park is one of the best places in the United States to do all these and more. The natural beauty of the area, with its verdant forests, scenic meadows, gorgeous waterfalls and giant sequoias, qualify the park to be on top of any nature lovers must- visit US sites.

You don’t have to be in top form to fully enjoy the scenic vistas and picturesque views of the park. You can easily reach its attractions in your car or you can hop on the open tour bus for a scenic drive around the area.

Muckross House and Gardens | Ireland | Ingenious Travel

Ireland Travel – Your Top 13 FAQs

Posted in Europe, Groups, Ireland, on 21 February 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

We’ve received over a dozen requests for Ireland over the last few weeks, along with a number of general questions. Here are the answers to the top 13 commonly asked questions we’ve received.

How is the weather?

Get the rundown on Ireland’s climate and seasons here.

How populated is Ireland?

Ireland’s population as of 2016 is estimated to be about 4.7 million – about the same number of people who live in the state of Louisiana.

Travels Come Alive with the Sound of Music

Posted in Family Travel, Groups, Movies/Television, Theatre, Theme Vacations, on 20 December 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

In March 2020, Twentieth Century Fox is releasing the 55th anniversary of the classic hit movie, The Sound of Music. For those of you who don’t know, the film is set in Austria, and stars Julie Andrews who plays Maria. It’s based on the true story of the Von Trapp family of singers, and is a heartwarming tale about how music helps heal and bring a family together, even during the most devastating of times.

In celebration of the movie’s anniversary, we recommend heading to Salzburg to see the sights from the film. Watch or rewatch the movie on your flight over, and then visit all the stunning locations that were used as the filming locations or as inspiration for the scenes in the classic musical. The views you’ll enjoy will make you feel like you’re in the movie. We dare you not to hum or sing the most memorable tunes from the film as you tour the sights.

Love the Sound of Music as much as we do? Check out the 50th Anniversary Edition here.

Celebrate Beethoven’s 250th Birthday in Vienna

Posted in Theme Vacations, Europe, Groups, Music, River Cruising, on 6 December 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Did you know that Beethoven’s 250th birthday is in 2020? The classical artist spent most of his life in Vienna, and as a result, the capital of Austria has many plans underway to celebrate him. While his birthday is actually in December, and the largest of celebrations will happen then, you can enjoy concerts and festivals in his honor all year long. One of the best ways to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday in Vienna is with a river cruise.

A River Cruise in 2020 is a Classical Music Lovers Dream

Some of the river cruise lines that sail the Danube and Rhine rivers have created itineraries to commemorate and enjoy the music of Ludwig van Beethoven. One such cruise is the Amadeus cruise line which will host a special Rhine River cruise October 27 through November 3, 2020. Their itinerary features private concerts at stunning landmarks, as well as an exclusive concert onboard the ship.

Welcome to Corroboree West 2019!

Posted in Australia, Groups, Tours, Wine, on 2 November 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

As you may or may not know, I (Maria) am an Aussie Specialist, and I’m one of three hundred travel agents from North America, Europe, and New Zealand invited by Tourism Australia and Tourism South Australia to attend Corroboree West 2019 – a 10 day conference and familiarization trip where I was able to participate in extraordinary travel experiences and meet with top tour operators from across Australia.

We spent our first full day in Perth visiting the city of Mandurah and participating in Mandurah Cruises Wild Seafood Experience. It’s a 3-hour adventure into the Indian Ocean to pull baited crayfish pots, learn more about Western Australia’s crayfish conservation efforts, and of course, eat the day’s fresh catch! (And yes, you can still participate if you have a seafood/shell fish allergy – just let them know in advance.)