Windstar Venetian Passageways Cruise (Part 2)

(54 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Lola Stoker

Mississauga, ON

Cruise Holidays | Luxury Travel Boutique

I was born in The Netherlands and moved to Canada in my early twenties. I started my career in travel and hospitality in Ottawa and later moved to Toronto where I have lived and worked ever since. My home is in Etobicoke, a quiet neighbourhood i...

My background includes a Degree in Hotel Management from the University of Maastrict, The Netherlands. A veteran of the hospitality industry, I spent my early years working in catering, restaurant management and sales. Later, an opportunity arose in Corporate Travel Sales where I represented some of the larger corporate travel companies in Canada. Although I enjoyed this career, I was always envious of the leisure travel specialists that I met; they seemed to be having so much fun researching and booking dream vacations for their clients.

In 2012, I decided to pursue a career in leisure travel and started a boutique travel agency with my husband, specializing in cruises and custom vacations. I've learned more about myself and the world than I ever imagined. I am truly grateful to have this opportunity to help clients, who have been bitten by the travel bug, plan their trips and cruises.

Many of my clients have spent most of their lives in North America and are eager to see more of the world. Canada is an absolutely gorgeous country, but I believe that it is important for people to travel, experience different destinations and cultures to broaden their horizons and enrich their lives. This could mean an escorted tour in Asia, an expedition trip to Antarctica or a relaxing river cruise in Europe.

My background gives me a unique perspective when booking cruises and other travel experiences for my clients. Born in The Netherlands, I traveled extensively throughout Europe. After moving to Canada as a young adult, I continued to travel extensively to Asia, the Caribbean and Mexico. Eventually, opening my own travel agency will allow me to use my unique expertise to help a variety of valued clients.

I love connecting with my clients, hearing their stories and seeing their pictures of their travel experiences after they return. This was particularly true with a client who booked a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The client had the opportunity to stay in a jungle resort with an amazing view of a volcano, visit the city of Quito, cruise the Galapagos Islands and get close to the extraordinary wildlife there. The pictures I received after this trip were absolutely breathtaking!

While I travel quite a bit with my agency, I make sure I am available for my clients. While my clients are abroad, I make it a point of being reachable so that I can quickly respond to any questions they may have. After my clients have returned, I'm always eager to discuss their trip, not only to learn about their experiences but to find ways to improve my service to them.

My number one mission is to deliver a once in a lifetime, worry free travel experience through superior service, excellent value and relevant expertise - and I will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal!

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Kotor – Kotor is a relatively new tourist destination and is located at the end of a long bay, reminiscent of a fjord. Don’t miss the sail in or sail out of Kotor bay as the scenery is spectacular with mirror reflections of the landscape in the waters of the bay. The old town is protected by a wall and a fortress high above the town on the side of the hill. The views from the fortress are stunning but requires a strenuous hike of about 45 minutes which can be quite challenging. However, the climb is worth the effort. The old town is characterized by small narrow streets that open up to squares and open market areas that are perfect for wandering and sampling the shopping and restaurants and cafes with many photo opportunities. There is a long portside promenade as well that is popular for strolling. A short 15 to 20-minute boat ride down the bay there is the town of Perast and two small islands off the town in the bay. One of the islands has a small church on it called the Lady of the Rock with amazing artwork and incredible photo opportunities. The town of Perast is still developing as a tourist destination and the main attractions are the many restaurants along the waterfront with the views of the islands and the bay. It is a great place to spend an hour or two with a coffee or a glass of wine. Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik has become one of the trendiest destinations in the Adriatic Sea. The city is one of the most scenic in the Mediterranean and is the filming site for movies and TV shows like the Game of Thrones. The city is surrounded by one of its main attractions, the city walls which offer great vistas of the town and the sea below. In the city, there are numerous churches and historic sites to visit. A main street runs through the old town and many small narrow streets branching off in all directions. Shopping and restaurants are everywhere and the options seem endless. The sights, sounds and smells harken back to medieval times and don’t be surprised if you see a couple of knights in full armour walking down the street. For the most dramatic views, take the cable car to the fortress overlooking the city and enjoy the panorama. Corfu – Corfu Island is steeped in history and ancient Greek Mythology. The Old Town of Corfu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known for many things, Corfu is a lush, sunshine resort destination for many years. One of the main attractions is the Achilleion Palace built by Empress of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sisi, as a summer getaway from the intrigue of her palace life. It sits on top of a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea and has many historic treasures on display. The gardens are renown for its flowers and iconic statues. One the way back to Corfu town we stopped at a lookout near the airport. From there, we saw the Monastery of the Virgin Mary on a small island in a small bay. Finally, we spent the afternoon wandering the streets of Corfu Old Town and having a light lunch at one of its many outdoor cafes. Katakolon – Katakolon is a small port town of 600 residents but is a major destination because of its proximity to Olympus, the ancient original site of the Olympics. Olympus is 40 minutes away by car and the ruins are remnants of centuries of Roman and Greek athletic competitions. While the ruins are a fraction of what was there in the glory years, you can still get a sense of the ancient competitions. The main remains are the track field where the original 600 meter races were held. The start line is marble and stretches the wide of the field. Many people run the track for the experience of doing something many have done for thousands of years. The town itself is very picturesque with fishing boats bobbing in the harbour and restaurants and shops lining the waterfront promenade. There are only two main streets in the town and the main attraction is Olympus, so if you happen to cruise to Katakolon, tour Olympus as the town can be seen in an hour or two.Itea – The small village of Itea Greece is best known as the starting point for a visit to Delphi, the ancient site of the Oracle of Dephi and the famous Greek ruins. The town itself is small with a population of about 6,000. The waterfront has a long promenade which stretches along the port and several beaches after the harbour. The town has several local stores and restaurants and several imposing churches and squares of minor significance. The promenade is lined with cafes and restaurants with serene views of the sea. The main attraction is Delphi which is about 8 km away and is the site of the Sanctuary of Apollo which is the ancient seat of the Oracle of Delphi, who was consulted on matters of importance bring wealth and fame to the region. The semi-circle ruins is a of major historical significance and is the most prominent ruins in Delphi. In addition, the temple of Apollo and the Sanctuary of Athena are among the most noteworthy sites in Delphi.