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Critics Choice Vacations
National Geographic Sea Bird with Lindblad Expeditions
Another adventure of a lifetime.....aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic
in the Sea of Cortez!!!
I had the unique opportunity to sail once again with Lindblad Expeditions. I took my son on a 3 night, 4 day expedition to the Sea of Cortez, an area I have sold, but never been to before. How does one get there you might ask? A flight into Cabo San Lucas International Airport and then about a 2.5 hour coach ride to the ship, where you will embark and spend the next 3 nights exploring untouched, private and pristine grounds joined by an amazing staff, playful and amazing wildlife and enjoy great food and accommodations.
My last experience with #LindbladExpeditions
in the Galapagos we were first told by one of the amazing Naturalists, Celso Fuentes, that whatever we had read or heard about the Galapagos, had not prepared us for the week of adventure that lay ahead of us. He could not have been more accurate. The same held true for the Sea of Cortez and the #Baja Base Camp experience
This is also not a trip to sleep on as wake up calls begin for your fitness routine at 6am and you are off the ship by 730am-800am latest for your first morning adventure.
About the Ship:
We sailed on the National Geographic Sea Bird
which was an amazing vessel equipped with wonderful warm staff, clean and spacious cabins (with great storage) along with super comfortable beds and always provided a feeling of "coming home". A very well thought out lounge area (where presentations and briefings were held daily), open, comfortable dining with amazing and healthy food every day. The top deck served as a functional gym equipped with bikes, weights, yoga mats and where early morning and late afternoon fitness classes were held. The lounge contained several personal computers for use for personal/private business as well as photo editing. There were several guides and staff onboard to help and assist with photo edits at any time one wished. All public areas were refreshed throughout the day with amazing homemade waters or juices, coffee bars available at any time as you wished, and a "honors" system bar when the main bar was not staffed and small snacks available all day long. The entire staff was friendly, professional, well educated, working together as a team, visible and open to helping at any time. A big thanks to our Hotel Managers and main Expedition leader, John Mitchell and his entire team for their hard work and dedication!
About our Lindblad Expeditions Team:
The Expedition team including the our Expedition Leader, John Mitchell worked day in and day out with a smile on his face and a smile in his voice. Even his wake up calls every morning at 6am were soothing and non-obtrusive. The Naturalist team were a team unto themselves - (Wow... if I had half the knowledge they have...) just an amazing group of folks who were with us the entire few days sharing their knowledge and passion and skills. Thank you Adrian Cerda, Emily Pickering, Linda Burback, Michelle Brugiere, Jen Williams, John Nelson (our yoga and fitness expert), and Dr. Glenn Withrow for your grace, dignity and care aboard the ship and with every client. We are richer for knowing you and all that you shared with us. An extra special thanks to all kitchen staff including those of you who for you, this was your 1st Expedition. May it not be your last!
I also must take a moment to thank all of our super skilled Dib drivers who know how to "ride the waves", getting us on/off shore safely 100 times a day! A shout out to excellent Captain. Not only did he do a great job getting us from A-B, The Bridge is always open! You are free to explore. The entire Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic
team from start to finish went above and beyond in customer service and delivery execution! Well done and thank you for all of your efforts!
What to expect agenda wise:
- Early mornings, wake up calls at 6am. Early morning fitness classes start about 630am.
- First exploration beginning about 730am-830am. This could be hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, or boat tours. It might also be swimming on the beach or a snorkeling opportunity. Morning events normally last 2-3 hours. You will thank your Expedition Leader later for getting you out early before the beaming sun is at its peak from 11-2pm or 3pm.
- Back on the ship for lunch and a change of clothes. Perhaps a short briefing.
- About 2-3pm (depending on heat of sun) back out for more of the same as in the morning agenda, but a different island location or different location all together. Trust me, no TWO stops are the same. The landscapes are completely different, animals and wildlife also as varied as the terrain. Out again for 2-3 hours.
- Back on board for an afternoon shower, happy hour briefing or update, onto dinner. Perhaps some post dinner local entertainment (or by the team), a star gazing show, or light show off the ship (seeing sharks, sea lions and flying fish, for example).
- To bed you go about 930-1030pm...and you are ready!
Now for the tough part....WHAT DID WE SEE:
Amazing flora and fauna, sea lions, small crabs of all sorts, sizes, shapes and colors, all kinds of fish and sea life below the surface, birds galore: Blue Footed Boobies, Hawks, Buzzards and about 100 other types I fail to mention here. Instead of telling you, I have spent time uploading some photos to my CCV Facebook page so you can, at your leisure, go and have a look for yourself! As they say, a photo is worth a 1000 words. This way, you can go back as time permits and enjoy for yourself.
PLEASE VISIT: CCV Sea of Cortez Album
(this is really where all of the magic and impressions can be made).
IMPRESSIONS:
Amazing, surreal, intimate, private, every day different, every landscape unique and animal wildlife super intimate, up close and personal with #LindbladExpeditions
and #NationalGeographicSeaBird. Once again after traveling with #LindbladExpeditions
I feel so super blessed and grateful for the experience. It really was such an honor and unexpected privilege to be there so up close and personal and intimate with these islands and animals. Super warm staff, friendly, trusting, very well educated and informed and overall just amazing. Very interesting crowds/guests on board as well, and overall just a great group.
This is not a destination for everyone. If you are looking for shopping and sleeping in and sitting on the beach for hours, then this is not for you. However, if you are interested in exploration, shocking and amazing days filled with wonder, excitement, variety, fun and wonderful people, healthy experiences and a little time to unplug, then this is for you. If I could give such a gift to every person interested, I know everyone would come back more than richer for it. A gift, a giant gift to experience such a place. What else can I say? I hope YOU can go one day! Take your kids, your grandchildren and plan to be amazed!
If you want more details or to hear about some amazing specials right now, please feel free to email me at Susan@CriticsChoiceVacations.com or call me at 480-831-9076.
Like so many other parents this Fall, my husband and I became “Empty Nesters”. Our baby girl, and youngest of three was heading off to college and we were faced with the reality of being alone for the first time in 26 years. We decided that this was a life milestone that we should observe, rather than dread. We had spent years devoting endless time and energy to our children and now they were all out in the world as healthy, happy, productive members of society. We had much to celebrate. So, after dropping our daughter off at college we traveled to Montana’s Paradise Valley and spent a few days at Sage Lodge to mark this special occasion. Montana’s Paradise Valley starts near Livingston, which sits on I-90, and stretches south along highway 89 towards Yellowstone National Park. It is the major river valley of the Yellowstone River and is flanked by the Gallatin and Absaroka Ranges. Highway 89 was the original entrance into Yellowstone National Park, although there are now two additional entrances, one each in Montana and Wyoming. Along with its unmatched beauty and world-class fly fishing on the river, the valley also offers other natural wonders such as several natural hot springs.
Ernest Hemingway once described Switzerland as “a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and stuck all over with large brown hotels built on the cuckoo clock style of architecture.” Susan’s recent travels between Geneva and Zurich proves that a lot has changed in the Swiss hotel scene since Hemingway’s observation. While she has lots of experience setting up pre- and post-river cruise activities and private trips in the area, this “self-imposed” familiarization was to acquaint herself with Virtuoso’s Swiss properties. Susan’s excited to share her thoughts on this diverse list of hotels, as well as the historic cities they call home.
This past fall, Susan was invited to sit on the Advisory Board for the German National Tourism Offices out of New York City. In partnership to boost tourism to Germany, she toured two of the country’s most iconic cities. From the eclectic coffee and artistic scenes of Hamburg, to an exploration of the tumultuous history of Berlin, there was a lot to take in. Susan hopes her journey will shed light on why Germany should be the destination of your next European vacation. Below you’ll find some incredible places to stay, cuisine to sample, and experiences that will put the discovery of German culture at the forefront of your travels.
With Paris and Rome, London forms the trifecta of must-visit cities for those first taking the dive into European culture. A hub of history, politics, architecture (both very old and very new), and the arts, London has a little bit to offer everyone. This November, Susan had the opportunity to tour over a dozen of the city’s best boutique hotels so you know where to stay during your visit. In addition, Susan also toured some of the charming villages that surround London that are perfect for a day trip, or quick weekend, to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. She hopes her exploration of this British metropolis will help you know where to start when planning your first (or next) European getaway.
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