We had expected a much more spectacular shipwreck at Fort Stevens near Cannon Beach, Oregon but the rusted framework is all that is left.
Photo Friday: Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon
We were both absolutely amazed by Haystock Rock in Cannon Beach. Tom got this great panorama shot with his iPhone one afternoon at low tide.
Un-Cruise Adventures Voted Best Expedition Cruise Line by Porthole Magazine
Sunset on the Columbia River on an Un-Cruise Adventures trip.
I don’t often share press releases here. Wait, that’s not accurate. I never share press releases here.
But this is an exception.
Un-Cruise Adventures is truly one of the best small ship cruise lines out there and we should know – we have cruised with them twice now. Once to British Columbia which we wrote about in a number of locations, including here and here and once on their Columbia River cruise from which we just returned and are still stunned by the beauty of Oregon and how perfect our cruise was. We are supremely excited about their new destinations and hope to be able to share our adventures of them in the future.
In the meantime, if you are looking for a small ship adventure, look no further.
Porthole Magazine Readers Award Un-Cruise Adventures
Best Expedition Cruise Line
2014 Readers’ Choice Awards Announced
Seattle, WA, Nov. 4, 2014—Porthole Cruise Magazine readers chose Un-Cruise Adventures as best expedition cruise line in the magazine’s 16th annual Readers’ Choice Awards in 2014. The small ship adventure cruise line explores remote and scenic destinations with an emphasis on flexible itineraries, wildlife viewing and active pursuits outdoors.
“It’s especially meaningful to be recognized by Porthole readers—a discerning group of travelers,” said Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO. “We’re happy to be growing, innovating and offering more adventures including Costa Rica, Panama and Galápagos in 2016.”
Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards are determined by thousands of readers and online fans of Porthole Cruise Magazine who voted for their favorite cruise lines and ships in 54 cruise-related categories.
“We take expedition cruising seriously, and we mean to make it easy and fun,” said Tim Jacox, principal and executive vice president. “Custom made kayak launch platforms are one example of our approach; people feel safe and comfortable and can go kayaking without any experience. Exceptional on board amenities such as hot tubs, included massage and yoga/stretching classes complement the outdoor activities.”
In business since 1996, the company has expanded from operating yachts in Alaska to operating a fleet of eight vessels carrying 22-88 guests. Boutique yachts, expedition vessels and small ships sail adventure and river cruises in Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, coastal Washington, British Columbia and Columbia and Snake Rivers. In 2016, eight departures will be offered in the Galápagos Islands and adventure cruising begins in Costa Rica and Panama.
Adventure activities guided by expert naturalists are included on all adventure cruises and may include kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, skiff excursions, whale watching, polar plunge, hiking, beachcombing and cultural encounters. Flexible itineraries allow time to seek out and view wildlife up close, explore deeper into wilderness areas and take advantage of current weather and wildlife.
On river cruises, guided tours to points of historical interest are included each day along with crew in period uniform and onboard living history presentations.
See the full list of Porthole Cruise Magazine award winners online. Winners will be published in the November/December 2014 issue of the magazine. To book an Un-Cruise adventure or to request additional information, contact your travel agent or Un-Cruise Adventures at 888-862-8881 or sales@un-cruise.com.
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Editor’s note: Visit the Media Gallery for press materials and images. More high-res photos for editorial use are available through Sarah Scoltock at sarahs (at) un-cruise.com.
About Un-Cruise Adventures Un-Cruise Adventures’ boutique yachts and small ships carry 22-88 guests on voyages in Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Columbia & Snake Rivers, coastal Washington, British Columbia, Galápagos Islands and Costa Rica/Panama. Un-Cruise Adventures, under the parent company of InnerSea Discoveries Alaska Inc., is a member of Trusted Adventures, dedicated to the highest standards of small-group travel and to giving back to the places visited.
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Family Getaway to the Amazing Emerald Coast of Florida
If your family is lucky enough to be one of those which has kids starting school after Labor Day, you still have time to plan a trip to the gorgeous Emerald Coast of Florida. And you should immediately do so. The pure sugar white sand and amazing Gulf of Mexico simply can’t be missed. If your kids also have a fall break, plan your getaway for then as the area is still warm and beautiful and the prices will be even lower.
The first time we took our four year old son to the Emerald Coast years ago, he took one look at the white sand and asked eagerly if he could please, please play in the snow? True story. The soft white sand and the astonishing colors of the water which vary from the darkest aquamarine to the palest peridot will have you taking photograph after photograph.
There are plenty of accommodations in this area but we recently stayed in a lovely condo at the Azure Resort on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton. With a variety of condos ranging from three to four bedrooms, many directly facing the pools and beach area, it’s the perfect place for a family getaway. We were in unit 323 which is beautifully furnished with leather furniture and had a huge master bathroom with a great whirlpool tub. Floor to ceiling patio doors in every unit provide amazing views and access to large balconies furnished with chairs and tables to enjoy that view.
Read the rest of this article on Travelhoppers HERE.
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Categories: Accommodations, Beach, Cities, Condos, Countries, Destin, Family Travel, Florida, Resorts, Travelhoppers, United States
Tags: Azure Resort, Destin, Emerald Coast, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Jan Ross travel blog, Jan Ross travel writer, Tom Ross Photographer, Tom Ross Travel Photographer
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The Wonderful Hotel Providence
It was the desk clerk who first made us really, really like the Hotel Providence.
We already had an inkling that this was our kind of hotel because it’s a unique, AAA Four Diamond luxury boutique hotel – our favorite type of hotel to visit. The exterior of this historic, downtown landmark was lovely and the lobby was truly beautiful. The hotel was awarded a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2014 and it certainly deserves this recognition.
The exterior of the beautiful Hotel Providence.
Marvelous lobby! Photo courtesy of the hotel.
Photo Friday: Ducks at the Grand Geneva Resort
Somehow I missed posting this last winter when we visited the Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin but I love this shot Tom got of ducks taking off from a frozen creek.
Our First Gondola Tour with La Gondola
Our gondolier, dressed in the traditional striped shirt and flat, straw hat, smiled at us as he paddled the gondola away from the dock.
If this image conjures up a gondola trip on one of the ubiquitous canals in Italy, you would be completely wrong.
We were enjoying our lovely gondola experience on the Providence River in Providence, Rhode Island.
Yep. Rhode Island.
La Gondola, although located in the most unlikely place for a gondola tour, provides a wonderful introduction to the city as you are paddled along the lovely Providence River.
In the morning, ready for our unique adventure, we trekked down to the river and the La Gondola dock.
The river walk near the dock.
Where to catch your gondola tour.
Categories: Cities, Countries, Providence, Rhode Island, Tours, United States
Tags: Jan Ross travel blog, Jan Ross travel writer, La Gondola, Providence Rhode Island, Providence Rhode Island Gondola, Providence Rhode Island Tours, Tom Ross Photographer, Tom Ross Travel Photographer, What to do in Providence Rhode Island
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Photo Friday: Windmill on Nantucket Island
We certainly did not expect to see any windmills in New England but Tom got this shot of one on Nantucket Island.
Beach House Bliss – A Girlfriend Getaway in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Many people, when planning a getaway to the pristine white sands of the beaches bordering the Gulf of Mexico, automatically make their travel plans for Florida. But look over on that map of the United States and you will see that the Gulf runs all the way up into several other states, including Alabama. Many of the Gulf shore beaches in Alabama are undiscovered paradises with far less tourists but plenty of equally gorgeous sand and water, great seafood, interesting activities, and fabulous places to stay.
One of our favorite beach towns in this area is Gulf Shores. Located on a narrow peninsula which juts out into the Gulf of Mexico, this quiet and lovely location is the ideal place for a girlfriends getaway. There are plenty of hotels and beach rentals in the Gulf Shores area but drive just a little further out the peninsula and you will find an even quieter and unspoiled area called Fort Morgan, close to the delights of Gulf Shores but away from the traffic and noise.
Read the rest of this article on Girlsgetaway.com HERE.
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Categories: Accommodations, Alabama, Beach, Cities, Countries, Girlfriends Getaway, Girlsgetaway.com, Gulf Shores, House, United States
Tags: Beach House in Gulf Shores Alabama, Beach Houses in Fort Morgan, Beach Houses in Morgantown, Gulf Shores Alabama, Jan Ross travel blog, Jan Ross travel writer, Relax on the Beach, Tom Ross Photographer, Tom Ross Travel Photographer
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Photo Friday: Pond with Lily Pads on Block Island
Tom got this shot of a lovely pond on Block Island, Rhode Island on our Blount cruise in New England.
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