Category Archives: UNESCO

Make bread part of your tasty adventure

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Bread is one of the world’s oldest “prepared” food. It is a universal staple and eating it together is one of the simplest forms of bonding. “Breaking bread” is a symbol of friendship, reconciliation, hospitality and camaraderie. Bread holds religious significance and it shows up in proverbs and slang. While you may not want to tailor your travel adventure around this staple, advisors at GetAway Travel can make sure you get what you knead in your travel itinerary and we can even add some time for loafing around.

From stone ground to stone baked

Recorded history shows bread is an important part of culture and diet. It is the oldest food that doesn’t require foraging or hunting. The oldest unleavened bread was flatbread discovered in Jordan in 14,400. It was wild wheat, barley and einkorn. Stone tools were used to crack and smash the grains. They were initially mixed with water to make a porridge and then, the porridge was spread on rocks and left in the sun. The dried, sun-baked mixture was the first bread.

With the domestication of wheat in the mid-East, the cultivation of grain to bread spread.

Egyptians used bread as a vessel, other countries began using it as utensil. Before coins became prevalent in Egypt, workers were paid with bread and beer.

Iberians and Gauls used foam from beer and discovered it added lightness and taste.

Europeans used beer as leavening and sourdough evolved. Until the development of yeasts during the 19th century every bread was sourdough. In the 1980s demand for sourdough was so high, there were regulations drawn up to define what could be sold as sourdough.

Mayans used corn and that evolved into tortillas, tamales and other bread varieties.

While there are thousands and thousands of type of bread world wide, Germany is the big winner for bread varieties clocking in at more than 3,200.

Bread is different in Europe due to the use of different wheat varieties. They are softer and the bread has a lower gluten content. Many countries also use more diverse wheat strains grown especially for their taste. There are stricter regulations on what can be included in flour.

Cassava

Global prestige granted to bread

Maltese Ftira

 UNESCO recognizes bread making traditions as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage designation. The recognition is designed to protect the practice of making bread, including traditions, unique craftsmanship, ingredients, social importance, historical roots. It is designed to promote and preserve these practices. UNESCO designations go to France’s baguette, Malta’s Ftira, Haiti/Caribbean’s Casabe cassava bread, Lebanon’s Manoushe and the German bread culture.

Lebanese Manoushe

Germany is in a whole category of its own when it comes to bread. It is an integral part of their culture and they have more varieties than any other country. According to the bread register of the German Institute For Bread (really, it does exist, we aren’t making it up) there are more than 3,200 types of bread. It is a staple at most meals. There’s bread for breakfast and bread for break time, called Pausenbrot or “break bread.” Bread for lunch and, of course, bread for dinner called Abendbrot or bread of the evening.

Pausenbrot

German supermarkets have their own corner bakeries attached and bakers are held in high regard and must undergo a high level of training. There are German standards for bread quality including the size of the loaf and each year the German Institute announces the bread of the year. For 2025 the bread of the year was Nussbrot or Nut Bread. You can enjoy farmer’s bread, mixed bread, stone oven bread, pumpkin bread and five-seed bread.

Abendbrot

There’s bread rolls which come in several varieties and may be called something else depending what part of the country you might be in and milk rolls which are a breakfast item when they contain raisins or chocolate chips. Hörnchen is another breakfast staple. The name means “little horns” and the half moon shaped rolls are the German version of a croissant with a lot more butter. They are served with jam or a chocolate spread.

Vollkornbrot

Vollkornbrot, whole grain bread, is a predominant bread at bakeries. It is a dark bread commonly used with meat and cheese for sandwiches in the evening. There is a law making it mandatory that loaves of Vollkornbrot must have whole grain flour content of at least 90%.

Pumpernickel bread in Germany is a rich, dark bread made of 100% rye flour. Most supermarkets in Germany sell it in pre-sliced small batches. It must be baked at a low temperature for a long time and frequently sells out at the bakeries. Roggenbrot is any rye bread other than pumpernickel.

Pumpernickel

Katenbrot is a dark brown, coarsely textured whole grain bread. The name means “barn bread” and it is great as sandwich bread. Sonnenblumenbrot is sunflower seed bread. This slightly sweet offering is great for breakfast and is served with cream cheese and jam. Dreikornbrot/Fünfkornbrot is the healthiest of the bread options. It is made with a variety of wheat, rye, barley, oats and maize flour and grains.

 

GetAway Travel advisors are by no means bread experts, but in their travels they have tried many delectable varieties and can give great tasty vacation advice. They can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel Check back for our next blog which takes you around the world to check out more bread options.

 

 

 

 

Luxor steeped in amazing historic experiences

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The “world’s largest open-air museum” is a fitting description of Luxor, Egypt. The country was ruled by pharaohs who each tried to outdo a past ruler with lavish lifestyles. Even in death, the pharaohs paid homage to the lavish style with tombs that befitted their stature. Visitors can get a glimpse into how the pharaohs and their subjects lived with the help of carvings, frescoes and stunning paintings preserved in the tombs. The Valley of Kings, the Valley of Queens, the Karnak Temple Complex — monuments, tombs, sphinxes and temples — there is mystery and exotic adventures everywhere in Luxor.

Ballooning over Luxor

Luxor is one of GetAway Travel’s stops in our 2026 Egypt cruise. You can join us, or our travel advisors would be happy to help plan a vacation now if you’re up for an adventure!

Legendary burial sites

 Luxor is one of, if not the world’s largest archeological sites. In ancient times, Thebes, was the imperial capital and it was split by the Nile River, essentially creating the City of the Living and the City of the Dead. The East bank, or the City of the Living, now Luxor, is where the majority of people lived. The West bank served as a necropolis — a lavish resting place for royalty and nobility.

Aerial view – Luxor west bank

The sharply delineated hills of the West bank once harbored countless treasures. Pharaohs were buried in elaborate tunnels carved into the hills and cliffs and decorated with paintings, carvings and frescoes. Their mummified bodies were laid to rest covered in gold and jewels and their tombs were filled with their worldly possessions.

Luxor temple at Thebes on the east bank

Tombs, sadly, were looted and deteriorated as a result of environmental conditions in the Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens and the Valley of Artisans, but the intricate set-ups and decorations are still stunning feats of architecture. We’re not talking little dusty burial chambers, the interiors are large, the tunnel work is amazing and “decoration” means the interiors are decorated wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling.

Tomb of Seti First, Valley of the Kings, Luxor

Pharaohs, queens, high nobility, children of the elite were buried in burial chambers with temples nearby. The temples honored gods, but also the subject in the tomb and it chronicled their exploits.

Temples, tombs, monuments

 The largest and most impressive collection of temple ruins is actually on the East bank of the Nile. The Karnak Temple Complex is supposedly where creation began. Pharaohs added to the areas as they rose in power. The 250-acre site has been “under construction” for 4,000 years. There are multiple temples, two obelisks, hieroglyphs and a sacred lake. The Great Hypostyle Hall is a little less than an acre of 134 massive, intricately decorated columns supporting a roof.

Ruins of Karnak Temple

The Karnak is connected to the Luxor Temple by the Avenue of Sphinxes.

Just imagine, more than 1,000 statues on a two-mile avenue each hand carved and each the same distance from the other. What a marvel of engineering! There are sphinxes, criosphinxes (lion head on a ram’s body) and ram statues.

Avenue of the Sphinx, Luxor

Between Karnak and the Luxor Temple is the Luxor Heritage Center. Here interactive exhibits document the country’s history from ancient times to the present. Select archeological pieces are on display here. The Luxor Museum has old and new kingdom artifacts. You can see the statue of Tuthmosis III, items that were buried with King Tut, statues found under the Temple of Luxor and two royal mummies. Videos show the process of making papyrus and how to write hieroglyphs.

Seated statue of Pharaoh Thutmosis III

The history of the Luxor Temple makes it a necessary spot to visit. Three religions are intertwined on the site. Incredibly beautiful, it started as a temple to the cult of Amun, became a Coptic Church and then a mosque was built on the ruins.

Luxor Temple

The Great Court of Ramses is in the Luxor Temple. The walls are adorned with the names and titles of Ramses’ 17 sons. During a 1989 restoration, 26 statues were uncovered that were apparently buried by priests.

Ramses II in Great Court, Luxor

The Valley of Kings is nearby. Dozens of pharaoh are laid to rest here with more than 63 tombs excavated including the tombs of King Tut, Ay and Ramses VI. Close to the entrance of the Valley of Kings is the Colossi of Memnon, a pair of 59-foot-high statues more than 3,300 years old. Considered the largest and most significant statues in Egypt, the 800-ton statues depict King Amenhotep III seated on his throne with his mother and wife next to his legs and the God of the Nile depicted on side panels.

Colossi of Memnon

One of the most spectacular features of the Valley of Kings is the Temple of Hatshepsut. Pharaoh Hatshepsut was a woman, thought to be one of the most successful rulers of Egypt, she governed for about 20 years and she is the only female pharaoh buried in the Valley of Kings. Her temple is a jaw-dropping architectural marvel. Carved into the stark hillside are three tiers of porticos with statues, pillars and hieroglyphs. There are three chapels inside and two ramps connect the lower terrace of the temple to the upper terrace.

Temple of Hatshepsut

Many of the tombs in the nearby Valley of Queens have been ransacked, but the beautiful, bright paintings on the walls are worth a visit. There are 75 royal tombs here — queens, princesses and princes were buried here as well as Queen Nefertari, whose resting place is gorgeous. No, that’s not a typo, it IS Queen Nefertari, not to be confused with Queen Nefertiti. They ruled about a dynasty apart.

Queen Nefertari and the god Horus

Deir el-Medina, or the Valley of Artisans, gives visitors a view of the workers who toiled to build the royal tombs. A lovely little temple, dedicated to the Egyptian goddess of love and truth is here as well as several tombs.

Luxor temple in Luxor

Luxor is a part of GetAway Travel’s 2026 Egyptian adventure, but if you’re interested in experiencing the mystery and majesty of Egypt sooner, we’re ready to help with that trip. Stay tuned for more blogs on other fascinating Egyptian destinations included in GetAway’s itinerary. And, read on for some short “snapshots” of other Luxor points of interest. Contact GetAway at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Enjoy the Netherlands with a river cruise

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Taking a river cruise in the extensive river and canal system in the Netherlands opens up the country in a fascinating, new way. View architectural marvels, feats of amazing engineering, windmills and, depending on the time of year, fields of tulips. Unpack once and settle in your cabin, take day excursions and waste less travel time because you sail while you sleep. Since most of the Netherlands’ river cruises have options to connect to the Rhine, that means some time in Belgium and Germany.

Puffy pancakes, flower power, cheese and Delft pottery, how about letting GetAway Travel find you a cruise you’ll love!

Start off in Amsterdam

 Amsterdam has a well-developed cruise port and proximity to an airport, so it makes sense cruises start here. With its Dutch, German and Flemish influences, there is something for everyone to see and enjoy. The museums are fabulous, from shipbuilding to Dutch masters to hemp, there are museums devoted to almost anything.

Amsterdam Cruise Terminal

There are bikes everywhere. The first bike ride share program was invented in Amsterdam. It didn’t last, but the commitment to cycling did.

Keukenhof Gardens is home to the “Greatest Flower Show on Earth” each Spring. Seven million flowers on 70 acres — everyone agrees it IS the greatest flower show. There’s tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, bluebells and crocuses. The blooms form lovely swaths of color along paths and the brooks. There are at least 100 varieties of tulips in the fields here.

The Keukenhof Gardens, known as the “Garden of Europe,” actually hosts over 7 million tulip bulbs annually.

From Amsterdam most cruises hit the following cities and offer a variety of free shore excursions as well as some that cost a small fee.

Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Kinderdijk

Hoorn

Throw a rock and you’ll hit a monument in Hoorn, a quaint city founded in 1300. It was named for the horn-shaped harbor along the Ijsselmeer, an artificial lake created by dam construction. Prior to access to the North Sea being blocked, Hoorn was a bustling port city and one of the Dutch East India Co. six home bases. It boasts 1,000 monuments, charming cobblestone streets and cheese warehouses.

Enkhuizen was a small fishing village, but during the 17th century it became the center of maritime trade. That ended when the North Sea inlet was sealed off with a dam. Still, there’s some pretty impressive landmarks here. The Drommedaris is the former city gate and watchtower. It’s the city’s most famous building, but the Gothic-style hall church from the 15th century it’s also pretty cool The floor consists of gravestones.

Enkhuizen Drommedaris

Take a short ferry ride to the Zuiderzee Museum.The outdoor museum is a traditional village showcasing the culture and maritime history of the city. There’s 140 buildings on site including workshops, a fish smokery and a home from the 1920s. Taste local cheeses and smoked fish.

Zuiderzee Museum

Get your windmill fix in Kinderdijk. This area of South Holland was shaped by the Rhine Delta waters. There are 19 well-preserved 18th century windmills here. The village is surrounded by polders, tracts of land reclaimed from the sea using windmills. Here, learn all things windmills, why they were built, how they operate and see the mechanical workings as well as living quarters inside,

Idyllic Kinderdijk

Dordrecht, Delft and Gouda

The famous Delft Blue

 The Netherlands loves its monuments, indeed, there are hundreds in Dordrecht. The oldest city in Holland has a stunning inner city and along the harbor, grand warehouses have been transformed into elegant homes. The Grote Kerk, or Church of Our Lady, is the largest church in the city. Restored in Gothic architectural style, it is beautiful and the tower at its side contains 67 bells. Climb the tower (more than 200 stairs, be warned) for amazing views of the area.

Town of Drodrecht

A scenic drive/shore excursion, takes you to Delft. Royal Delft is the last remaining earthenware factory left over from the 17th century. Watch the centuries-old process to create the pottery. The 400-plus year-old factory is set up as a museum. You can score some of this sought-after pottery in the gift shop.

Eastern Gate in Delft

Perhaps you’d like to visit Gouda as a shore excursion? Surprise, Gouda is not made here, but stroopwafels are. Gouda Cheese is actually made all around Gouda, and it was brought to the weigh station in Gouda where taxes were levied depending on the weight. The Gouda city council had strict rules on the manufacture. Now, a cheese museum is in the weigh house.

Gouda cheese

 

Next door is St. John’s Church, the longest church in the Netherlands, it has a fabulous collection of stained glass windows. The stained glass is considered the most significant collection in the country.

Clocktower at St John’s church in Gouda

The stroopwafel was invented here and workshops are offered for visitors. What is a stroopwafel? It is two crispy cookies pressed into a waffle pattern held together with tasty toffee syrup. Yum.

Nijmegen, Maastricht, Antwerp and Wesel

 Home to one of the Netherlands largest universities, Nijmegen has an eclectic, vibrant blend of sidewalk cafés, unique eateries, and quaint shops that show off the city’s artistic bent. Indeed, you can trace the steps of Van Gogh who lived in nearby Nuenen the early 1880s and created more than 195 paintings. The Vincentre Museum has a great audiovisual presentation on Van Gogh and his time in Nuenen.

Nijmegen

The Noordbrabants Museum is home to an extensive collection of Dutch art — from Hieronymus Bosch to Van Gogh. Take a beer break at Brouwerij de Hemel. A brewing pioneer, learn all about the process as well as how to distill spirits. Try a flight and some snacks.

Maastricht is one of the Netherlands oldest and most picturesque cities.There are 1,677 Heritage buildings here and the lovely inner city is car-free.  The Maastricht Treaty was signed here in the early 1990s, establishing the euro as the single European currency. In nearby Margraten is the American Military Cemetery where 4,800 Americans who lost their lives during the march into Germany after D-Day, are buried.

Aerial view of Maastricht

Depending on your cruise, you may get a chance to go to Antwerp. Diamonds and chocolate! What’s not to like? Diamond cutters abound, next to shops with fabulous chocolates.

Grote Markt in Antwerp

Wesel, Germany might also be on your itinerary. An important trading center which reached its peak in the 15th century, Wesel nearly surpassed Cologne as a major commercial presence. Visit the lovely Willibrod Cathedral.

Rhine river near Wesel

Tulips, Van Gogh, tasty cookies and some great cheese all while relaxing on a great ship moving down the river. Interested? Contact GetAway Travel and an advisor will help schedule your cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Castles, cathedrals and cruising on the Rhine

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A river cruise is hard to beat and here’s why: you get to visit quaint villages, charming towns, cultural centers and scenic areas without unpacking. You go to bed and sleep during the travel time and wake up to a new venue and new adventures. River cruise ships are smaller than ocean-going vessels so there won’t be long lines disembarking, embarking or at the lounge!

Taking a cruise on the Rhine offers multiple options because you’ve got Germany on one side, France on the other side and you may start out in Amsterdam. GetAway Travel will be taking a group on a fabulous cruise on the Rhine. The information in this blog gives an overview of where the group will be going, but most cruises take similar routes. So if you can’t join us next year, file this away and GetAway will be happy to help you with a similar cruise.

Starting or ending in Basel, Switzerland

 Take on an extra day at the end or start of your Rhine cruise to explore Basel. The hometown of tennis great Roger Federer is the cultural capital of Switzerland.

Basel Switzerland on the Rhine

There are museums (at least 40), art galleries and historic landmarks to enjoy. There are murals, sculptures and public art installations everywhere. And, Basel is on the “sunny” side of Switzerland. The city logs about 300 days of sunshine each year.

The Kunst Museum has been described as the “palace of arts.” The oldest public art institution in the world, it houses collections from the 17th century to contemporary. There are exhibits dedicated to fashion and decorative arts and a Picasso collection.

Base; city hall

Why so many museums? The city is home to a university and collections used for teaching and research became museums for all to enjoy. Museums are dedicated to pharmacy, design, the history of the Upper Rhine, anatomical, paper and toys.

The toy museum, with a collection of more than 2,500 teddy bears, is interesting for all ages. The toys are in exhibits placed to interact with each other. Display screens teach visitors about the toys and history of the collections. There are amazing collections of dolls, dollhouses, carousels and miniatures.

Basel Minster Cathedral

Basel Minster is a stunning Gothic cathedral. With its red sandstone walls and twin spires, it commands attention and thats before you notice the jaw-dropping intricate facade.

Stained glass in the Basel Minster

Breisach, Strasbourg and Speyer

 Breisach, Germany is considered the Gateway to the Black Forest. The region is on a basalt rock outcropping and it is across the river from French Alsace, a famous wine-growing region. But Breisach is no beverage slacker, it is home to Europe’s largest wine cellars.

Breisach, Germany on the Rhine

Nine wine growing regions with more than 500 different wines are represented at Badischer Winzerkeller. Take an underground train tour of the cellars and learn about the winegrowers and cellarmen and, of course, there’s tasting involved.

Geldermann Privatsektkellerei is a sparking wine cellar. Its tour includes the bottling process and, of course, more tasting.

Medieval door, Breisach, Germany

St. Stephen’s Cathedral dates from the 12th century with a major remodel in the 15th century. Much of the historically significant interior was preserved, including the 1,000 square-foot mural “The Last Judgement” created by Martin Schongauer. There are other amazing frescoes and carvings inside and the view from the roof is fabulous.

St. Stephens Cathedral – Briesach, Germany

Strasbourg, along the Alsace Wine Route, has picturesque canals, quaint half-timbered homes and stunning architecture. It is no wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Strasbourg

The Cathédrale Nôtre-Dame de Strasbourg represents eight centuries of architectural history. One of the oldest churches in the world, with a spire height of nearly 450 feet, it is also one of the tallest churches in the world. Visitors are awed by the 12th century stained glass windows as well as the astronomical clock in the interior.

Cathédrale Nôtre-Dame de Strasbourg

Speyer is named for the four red towers on the city’s Romanesque cathedral. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its four towers and two domes, it is considered one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the Holy Roman Empire. Eight different German emperors and kings are buried here.

Imperial Cathedral of the Assumption of Saint Stephen, Speyer

There are modern exhibits from land, sea and air at the Technik Museum in Speyer. There are  more than 2,000 exhibits include space shuttles and submarines. The Historical Museum of the Palatinate explores the history of the region, including a wine museum that has exhibits and collections dedicated to the culture of winemaking and wine consumption.

Rüdesheim, Boppard, Koblenz, Cologne

 Rüdesheim is known for winemaking, especially its Rieslings. There are a number of vineyard tours to choose from. But, you can start your tasting experience while touring the city on Drosselgasse, a quaint street lined with shops, taverns and restaurants.

Rudesheim Winery

You can’t miss the clocktower on Drosselgasse, try to be close when it strikes the hour. It plays music, rings bells and animated figures dance.

If you are starting your day early, get a cup of the famous Rüdesheimer coffee. Made with a generous splash of Asbach Uralt brandy, it is topped with a big dollop of fresh whipped cream.

You can take a cable car ride to the Niederwald monument which commemorates the founding of the German empire. The panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and Rüdesheimer are amazing.

Niederwald

Seigfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet is a museum of automated musical instruments and more. There are exhibits featuring intricate music boxes, self-playing instruments and vintage jukeboxes.

Rheinstein Castle

The Rheinstein Castle will make you think you walked into a fairytale. Its well-preserved architecture, which is why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gives one a sense of medieval Germany. Tour the historic halls, courtyards and gardens complete with period furnishings as well as weaponry and armory.

Brömserburg Castle houses the Rheingau Wine Museum. Learn all about the history of winemaking, the art of viticulture and, of course, sample regional wines.

Boppard, in the Rhine Gorge, is the largest wine town in the central Rhine region. Take advantage of the many wine tours that are offered, and do some of your sampling at Weinhaus Geilig Grab. It is the city’s oldest wine tavern, more than 200 years old, and you can try Rieslings, pinot noirs or Müller-Thurgau.

High on the bluffs are two castles, formerly owned by feuding brothers, Burg Liebenstein and Burg Sterrenberg. Burg Liebenstein is nearly restored and functions as a hotel now.

You can tour Electoral Castle. It is one of the few castles on the Rhine that was not destroyed and then rebuilt. It is on the water’s edge instead of on the hills because castle owners collected tolls on the Rhine. It houses the Thonet Museum which honors the city’s famous furniture maker.

Electoral Castle, Eltville

Koblenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is the gateway to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, has some great castle. The gardens and park at Stolzenfels Castle are stunning. It was the summer residence of King of Prussia Friedich Wilhelm IV. Deutsches Eck or German Corner, rises up from the waters where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. There’s a 120-foot bronze statue of Kaiser Wilhelm on the land.

Eltz Castle, Koblenz

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is the second-largest preserved fortress in Europe and the only 19th century Russian fortress left in Europe. It houses several museums including a wine museum as well as archeology, photography and history museums.

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Koblenz

Cologne is a major cultural center with dozens of fabulous galleries and museums.

If you are interested in joining GetAway’s Castles on the Rhine group, having us plan your own cruise — or perhaps taking back-to-back cruises, we can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Set Sail on the Ultimate Adventure: 149 Days of Discovery in 2027

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Ready to check off your ultimate travel bucket list? In 2027, you can embark on the cruise of a lifetime: a 149-day voyage that spans 35 countries, over 70 destinations, and 5 continents. Think of it as a whirlwind journey where you not only explore some of the planet’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites but also dive into local cultures, all while enjoying luxurious comforts. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just someone with a serious case of wanderlust, this experience has something for everyone.

 Why Book with Us?

Well, let’s be honest: booking a cruise this epic can feel a little overwhelming. But that’s where we come in. We’re here to handle all the little details so you can focus on the fun. We’ll customize your adventure to make sure every stop on this global voyage matches your dream trip.

A Dive into History: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

This 149-day journey on the Silverseas Silver Dawn isn’t just about seeing the world; it’s about *experiencing* it. And there’s no better way to do that than by visiting some of the planet’s most revered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ever dreamed of wandering the mystical lost city of Petra? How about standing atop Machu Picchu, gazing out at the ancient ruins framed by the Andes?

Other highlights include the Great Barrier Reef, Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and the timeless beauty of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Every stop adds something new and unforgettable to your travel story, giving you that perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty.

And here’s the insider tip: when you book with us, we can set you up with special experiences at these locations—like early access to sites before the crowds arrive or exclusive guided tours with local experts.

We discussed previously about starting a bucket list of World Heritage Sites.

The 149-day Silversea cruise in 2027 includes over 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of its diverse and immersive itinerary. These remarkable sites offer travelers the chance to explore some of the world’s most iconic and historically significant landmarks across five continents.

Here are some of the standout UNESCO sites that could be part of your journey:

  • Petra (Jordan) – The ancient city carved into rose-red rock.

  • Great Wall of China (China) – A stunning testament to human ingenuity.

  • Machu Picchu (Peru) – The legendary Incan city high in the Andes.

  • Great Barrier Reef (Australia) – The world’s largest coral reef system.

  • Amalfi Coast (Italy) – A breathtaking stretch of coastline with historic towns.

  • Angkor Wat (Cambodia) – The largest religious monument in the world.

  • Medina of Fez (Morocco) – A well-preserved medieval city brimming with history.

  • Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) – A haven for wildlife and natural beauty.

Each destination offers a rich cultural, historical, or natural significance, adding depth and meaning to this incredible global adventure.

Travel Sustainably and Make a Difference

What makes this cruise even better? It’s not just about seeing the world; it’s about *preserving* it. In partnership with local communities, this journey emphasizes sustainable travel. From contributing to reef preservation efforts in Australia to supporting local artisans in Southeast Asia, your journey leaves a positive footprint.

And we’re not just talking about the destinations. Onboard, you’ll enjoy sustainable luxury, with eco-friendly initiatives like reducing single-use plastics and minimizing fuel consumption. So, while you’re indulging in world-class dining and lounging in your suite, you can feel good about traveling responsibly.

 Luxury, Tailored to You

Let’s talk about the fun stuff—the luxury side of things. This cruise redefines what it means to sail in style. Onboard, every suite is spacious, offering you sweeping ocean views. Fancy a butler? You’ve got one. How about gourmet dining created by top chefs, or a sommelier who will guide you through fine wine tastings? Yes, that’s all part of the package.

This 149-day voyage is a journey that blends luxury, culture, and adventure into one perfect package. And with our help, booking it is easier (and more exciting!) than ever. We’ll handle all the planning, offer insider perks, and make sure every part of this dream trip is uniquely yours.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make 2027 your year of ultimate adventure. Reach out today and let’s get your journey started!

Quito: Gateway to the Galapagos

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A spectacular capital city built on the ruins of an Incan city, Quito is the oldest of all the South American capitals. Quito is a combination of two Tsafiki words translated to “center of the world.”

Its city center is so well preserved, Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors to the Galapagos Islands usually start their adventures in Quito. One of GetAway Travel’s 2026 adventures involves a fabulous trip to the Galapagos which starts in Quito. Check back for upcoming blogs featuring Galapagos and our scheduled cruise ship. The island cruise will be an awesome experience, but don’t for a minute think our time in Quito won’t also be an adventure to remember.

Beautiful, ancient churches

 Quito has one of the largest concentrations of some of the most beautiful churches in Latin America.

La Campañía de Jesús

La Campañía de Jesús has an amazing exterior, but the interior makes one gasp in astonishment. The interior is covered in nearly seven tons of gold leaf. The interior as well as the exterior reveal French and Italian Baroque influences as well as some Moorish influence.

One of the most ornate religious buildings in Ecuador, the gold leaf, gilded plaster, wooden carvings are topped by two green and gold domes at the top of the vaulted ceiling.

Campañía de Jesús inside dome

Pay attention to the intricate carvings, you can see Ecuadorian plants and indigenous faces among the carvings. There are 44 paintings and sculptures in the interior.

Climb the  Neo-Gothic tower at the Basilica del Voto Nacional for great views of the city. The largest Neo-Gothic cathedral in South America, the construction was inspired by the Bourges Cathedral in France. Construction began on the cathedral in 1887 and it was deemed nearly finished in 1909. According to local legend, the church’s construction will be fully complete shortly before the end of the world.

Basilica del Voto Nacional

As you travel to the top, admire the intricate gargoyles and spires. (Psst, there’s an elevator if you don’t want to take the stairs.)

Church and Monastery of San Francisco

The church and monastery of San Francisco is the oldest church in Quito and the oldest church and largest religious complex in Ecuador. The church, convent and adjacent museum hold more than 3,500 pieces of colonial art. Above the church altar is the famous Winged or Dancing Virgin sculpture. Created by Bernardo de Legardo, the design of her dress and position of her hands make it seem she is in motion.

The Basilica of our Lady of the Merced was founded by the priests of the La Merced order. The library contains historic parchment books and the museum has art pieces and antique jewelry.

But wait, there’s so much more…

 The Teleférigo is a cable car/gondola lift that runs from the edge of the city center to the east side of the Pichincha Volcano. One of the highest aerial lifts in the world, it moves slow enough to give riders great views and photo opportunities. Vulqano Park is at the base station of the cable lift. It has picnic areas and 24 different attractions including roller coasters, bumper cars, swings, carousels and a haunted house.

Teleférigo Cable Car

Just outside of Quito is Ciudad Mitad del Mundo at the equator line. Here, you can stand with a foot on either side and be in two different hemispheres. The interactive museum has exhibits from the Highland and Amazonian tribes with explanations of their history. There’s great collections of musical instruments, clothing, textiles and more.

Monument of the equator

The El Panecillo monument is a hill shaped like a loaf of bread topped by a towering statue of the winged Virgin Mary. With a height of 134 feet, it is the tallest aluminum statue in the world. The glowing statue was constructed by Spanish sculptor Agustin de la Herrán. Each of the 7,400 pieces was numbered and it was shipped to Quito to be re-assembled.

La Ronda shopping

Shop the Mercado Artisanal, a thriving artisan market with a vast selection of handmade crafts, textiles, ceramics and souvenirs. Take a walk down Calle La Ronda, a charming cobblestone street lined with colorful buildings that house art galleries, shops and cafes.

Panama hats on display – La Ronda

Capilla de Hombre is a museum dedicated to the works of Oswaldo Guayasamín Calero. Referred to as the Michelangelo of Latin America, his paintings and sculptures were lauded by UNESCO who gave him a prize for the power of his body of work.

Parque La Carolina has been compared to New York’s Central Park. The 165-acre expanse of green space has something for everyone, an auditorium with performances, a children’s library and food stalls. The Quito Botanical Gardens are here. You can view foreign and native plants, a lagoon, an orchid garden, a garden dedicated to medicinal plants, a hydroponic rose garden and a cloud forest. The cloud forest is a subtropical area kept at a temperature due to the plants so it actually generates its own low cloud cover.

Parque La Carolina

It is also home to a vivarium with 40 species of reptiles, amphibians, snakes, turtles, iguanas and frogs. The Museum of Natural Sciences houses 200,000 specimens of flora, fauna and paleontology including an almost complete mastodon skeleton!

View of Cotopaxi volcano from Quito

Interested in our Galapagos adventure with Quito as a starting point? Give GetAway a call and join us! We can be reached at: (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Cologne: castles, cathedrals and beyond the city

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This 2,000-year-old city spans the Rhine and its cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spelled like the French world for perfume, the German pronunciation of the city is Köln.

There are fabulous examples of Gothic architecture and opportunities to peruse some great museums and tour some pretty cool castles within a stone’s throw of the city. Pop over to Cologne if you’re visiting Belgium or Luxembourg. Maybe make it a stop if you are considering a cruise on the Rhine. If you are interested in a visit to Cologne, GetAway Travel can map out a great adventure for you!

One of Europe’s most stunning cathedrals

 Cologne Cathedral is one of the most visited tourist sites in Europe. Construction on the cathedral, which is the seat of the archbishop of Cologne, started in 1248, and then stalled for almost 300 years so construction took 600 or so years!

The twin-spired high Gothic marvel of architecture dominates the city skyline. It is the world’s third largest Gothic-style cathedral and it took more than 300,000 tons of stone to construct. It has the largest facade of any church in the world.

Christmas Market in front of Cologne Cathedral

One of the most important pilgrimage sites in Northern Europe, it is host to the Shrine of Three Kings. Perched on the high altar is a massive gold shrine that is said to contain relics of the Magi. It is thought to be one of the finest examples of medieval gold work that is available for viewing. The vaulted ceilings are breathtaking, but it is the Richter window that makes visitors gape in wonder.

Stain glass in Cologne Cathedral

The 515-high window in the southern transept contains 11,000 hand-blown panels in 72 different colors. The other 14th century windows in the cathedral are also impressive. Along with the historic furnishings, such as the choirs stalls that were carved from 1308 to 1311, there is also a modern bronze altar created by Elmar Hillebrand between 1960 and 1971.

St. Martin Church, Cologne

There are at least a dozen other churches in the city including St. Martin Church, a Romanesque church with lovely stained glass windows. St. Maria in Kapital Church is another great example of Romanesque architecture with beautiful frescoes.

 An eclectic mix of museums

 The Museum Ludwig is next to the cathedral. Chocolatier and industrialist Peter Ludwig gave his name to this museum which features an amazing collection of modern art. The third largest collection of Picassos in the world is here. There are pieces by Salvador Dali and Roy Lichtenstein as well as multi-media exhibitions, photography and sculptures.

Farina Fragrance Museum – can you smell it?

The Farina Fragrance Museum has been in existence since 1709 and is one of the oldest perfume museums in the world. Several floors detail the complex process of creating a fragrance from start to finish. Create your own!

The Wallraf Richartz Museum has art pieces from medieval times to the 20th century and you can find modern and classic Christian artwork in the Kolumba museum. The Schnütgen Museum also has Christian artwork as well as prints and textiles from medieval to modern times.

Who doesn’t want to go to a chocolate museum?

And when you need a break from artwork and artifacts, track the 5,000-year history of chocolate making at the Chocolate Museum. Yes, there’s a chocolate fountain, several gift shops, you can make your own creations and museum staff offers samples to visitors along the tours.

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Jersey, Guernsey, hidden gems in the Channel

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There’s a set of a dozen or so islands in the English Channel between England and France and Jersey and Guernsey are the largest. Jersey and Guernsey like the cows? Yes! The two smaller doe-eyed breeds did originate on the islands. The two islands have more than 90% of the entire population of the group as well as lovely scenery, history and culture. They retain their association with the United Kingdom, but they are not quite English and not quite French. But they are quite the nifty getaway and GetAway Travel is ready to get you there.

Resilient inhabitants survived occupation

Lighthouse, Jersey

 Visitors to the islands can get an idea of what the island residents had to go through because both islands, as well as several nearby smaller islands were actually the only part of British soil occupied by the Nazis during WWII. Great Britain made the decision to not defend the islands , because they feared a terrible loss of life, and occupants were offered a chance to evacuate to the mainland before the Germans invaded.

WWII Observation tower on Guernsey

Some did, many did not and they found themselves enduring forced labor to build underground tunnels and fortify existing areas for the Nazis.

You can explore the war tunnels and an underground German Hospital on Jersey. There are war-themed escape rooms in the tunnels and you can sit in the Garden of Reflection and reflect on the information you picked up in the tunnels, and the resiliency of the human spirit.

On Guernsey the German Occupation Museum has artifacts, machinery, vehicles, photos and videos dating back to WWII. The German Naval Headquarters

Guernsey embraces military roots

 Castle Cornet overlooks the harbor of St. Peter Port. While the castle is a museum in its own right, there are three other museums in the castle. Every day at noon, uniformed soldiers do a gun salute. Learn the history of the castle and its various inhabitants using reconstructions, replicas and models and original artifacts.

Castle Cornet, Guernsey

The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Regimental Museum details WWI skirmishes on the island with storyboards, but there are also original weapons, uniforms and medals. The Royal Guernsey Militia Regimental Museum tells the history of the militia formed to defend the island around 1331 with a collection of uniforms, weapons, standards, medals and trophies.

The 201 British Royal Air Force Squadron, the oldest of the RAF squadrons, was billeted on Guernsey. The 201 Squadron museum celebrates the history and exploits of the squadron.

The castle gardens, both ornamental and utilitarian, remain mostly intact.

St Peters Port, Guernsey

The Governor’s Garden is a formal 18th century garden which resembles a tapestry when viewed from above. All the plants were chosen for their ability to be cut and shaped. Sutler’s Garden was herbs and vegetables to feed the soldiers billeted at the castle. Lambert’s Garden was set up by Gen. Sir John Lambert who was actually a prison at the castle for 10 years. He grew medicinal and cooking herbs. Vegetables, fruit and some herbs were grown in the Master Gunner’s Garden which also housed chickens and rabbits.

Gardens, gin, cider and a author’s home

 Candie Gardens, in addition to offering great views of St. Peter Port, is a lovely late 19th century public flower garden with the oldest known heated glass houses in the British Isles. Enjoy the flowers, manicured lawn areas, fish ponds as well as the cafe and art gallery. Victor Hugo’s garden here has his favorite plants including some named after his friends like the Alexandre Dumas rose.

Candie Gardens

The gift shop has locally produced items including toys, candy, cards and souvenirs.

The Bella Luce Hotel is a boutique gin distillery. Owner Luke Wheadon uses traditional copper stills to make small batch artisanal gin uses local botanicals. Tours include tasting and a chance to make your own infused gin and take a bottle home.

Victor Hugo House – did you know this land is the property of France?

Both islands are enjoying a resurgence of their cider production. You can get a lesson on cider production and enjoy tastings of alcoholic, non-alcoholic and sparking ciders.

Victor Hugo House – interior

Hauteville House was the home of Victor Hugo for 15 years. Decorated by the author, the eclectic interior has been described as a symphony of colors, styles and textures. Hugo wrote Les Miserables and Toilers of the Sea here.

The Little Chapel

Don’t skip a stop at the Little Chapel. The tiny picturesque chapel was built entirely by Brother Diodat in 1914 and every square inch is covered with pottery and tile.

 Exploring the shores, castles and sights of Jersey

 Take a day and relax on the golden sands of St. Brelade’s Bay on the southern shore of Jersey. With its gradual gradient into the sea and myriad of facilities along the beach it regularly wins awards for one of the best beaches in the United Kingdom.

St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey

On the East coast, Mont Orgueil Castle stands guard over Gorey Harbor. One of the finest medieval fortresses, it offers spectacular views of the area. While you use steps to get to this castle, Elizabeth Castle must be reached either by ferry or by walking during low tide.

Mont Orguel Castle

There are centuries of memorabilia and materials on display at Elizabeth Castle and the Regimental Museum of the royal Jersey Militia is here.

Every Sunday there is a reenactment of the 1781 Battle of Jersey.

If your visit to Jersey is anytime during May to September, visit the Jersey Lavender Farm. Learn about harvesting and distilling the flowers into oils and how they are made into different products. Enjoy the lovely gardens, visit the gift shop and have a spot of tea in the tea room.

Shopping, sipping and historical burial sites

 St. Helier, the capital of Jersey, has the Maritime Museum as well as the Jersey Museum and Art Gallery. It also has some fabulous shopping options from designer stores at the mall to smaller shops with unique items. From Monday thru Saturday you can shop at the outdoor market and score some great souvenir and gift items.

St Helier Harbor, Jersey

As a bonus, while you are walking the quaint streets, there’s some great public art installations to enjoy. Oh, another bonus, a great chocolate shop called The Chocolate Bar, has every chocolate creation you can imagine.

Taste wine, ciders and spirits at La Mare Wine Estate. Tours of the vineyard and winery take you through the process of creating fine wine from grape to bottle. You can also enjoy the estate’s homemade chocolate and fudge as well as Jersey Black Butter. The world-famous butter is a mixture of apples, cider, lemon, sugar, spices and licorice. The taste has been compared to a smoother version of mince pie filling.

La Hougue Bie

La Hougue Bie is an ancient burial mound and archeological site. It dates back 5,000 years which makes it older than the pyramids. The Neolithic grave passage is one of the oldest man made structures in the world.

Plémont Caves Jersey

The Plémont Caves is a series of sea caves underneath the cliffs of Plémont Bay that show up during low tide. Walking through the caves gives one a visual geographic history of the area. On the top of the cliffs are two giant wicker and steel puffin sculptures.

Do the channel islands sound like an attractive little getaway? Let GetAway Travel arrange your trip.

Guernsey Cow

Experience China on a river cruise

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China is a study in opposites, from the tallest mountain in the world to the largest plateau in the world; dedicated to innovation and growth and fiercely protective of family structure and hierarchy. A great way to experience a taste of this fascinating country is on a Yangtze River Cruise. The world’s third largest river touches a third of the country’s population If you are interested in discovering the mystery of China on a cruise, GetAway Travel can help with that!

Chongqing, Chengdu and Fengdu

 The Yangtze River starts its journey to China in the Tanggula Mountains in Tibet. The longest river in China, it is the third largest in the world behind the Nile and the Amazon rivers. A cruise on the Yangtze, which can go three days, six days or 10 days, is truly a trip that embraces history on the water. Cruises start in Yichang and go to Chongqing, or vice versa.

In Chongqing visit the Three Gorges Museum to get a preview of what building the world’s largest hydroelectric power station entailed. It gives you some insights into the marvel that produces energy, prevents flooding and makes for safe travel on the river.

Chongqing

Known as Little Hong Kong or the Mountain City, Chongqing has fabulous scenery and fascinating historical sites.

Three Natural Bridges – and here’s one of them

Three Natural Bridges, the largest natural bridge group in Asia is magnificent. If it looks somewhat familiar, it was featured in the Transformers 4 movie. The Dazu Rock Carvings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Religious cliff carvings were done here during the Tang to the Early Song dynasties. There are more than 102 places with carvings including 360 giant sculptures including Buddha statues that are more than a mile and a half high!

Get a different view of the Yangtze by taking the Yangtze River Cableway across the river and get your panda fix at the Chongqing Zoo. In addition to 12 pandas, there’s also 230 species of animals, birds and fish.

Giant Pandas

Speaking of pandas, you can take a high-speed train (217 mph) from Chongqing to Chengdu and spend some time at the Giant Panda Research Center. See giant pandas, red pandas and other endangered species such as swans and peacocks. Learn all about pandas and their history at the Giant Panda Museum and enjoy the panda art at the Panda Art Museum. There’s also outstanding works of art in the Chengdu Museum and ancient Chinese architecture is recreated in streetscapes.

Chengdu China historic district

Get something to eat in Chengdu, it is the capital of Sichuan province where the vastly popular Sichuan cuisine comes from. Due to the popularity of the food style, Chengdu is a UNESCO Gastronomy City.

Chengdu Sichuan hot pot

Fengdu is known as the Ghost City due to the vast array of demon-decorated temples and statues that depict what the Chinese people imagine hell is like. Fengdu is the Jade Emperor scenic area that includes 30 different styles of traditional architecture with 208 carved deity statues including the largest image of the Jade Emperor in the world.

Shibozhai red pagoda of Fengdu Ghost City

When the water level of the Yangtze rose due to dam construction, architectural and cultural artifacts were either recreated or relocated to Xianguanshan Park. The park features reproductions of historic and ancient residential buildings, courtyards, temples, gates, wood carvings and temples. There are regular performances of opera, acrobatics, rock music and puppet shows at the park.

Three Gorges Dam

Three Gorges Dam

 At a cost of $23 billion and a construction schedule that took 10 years, Three Gorges Dam is 687 feet high and almost 1 1/2 miles wide. It takes eight hours to go through the series of locks at the dam.

Qutang Gorge

Qutang Gorge is the first of the three gorges and the most dramatic. Two mountains, Red Passage and White Salt stand guard at the entrance to the gorge. The ancient city, White Emperor City, is at the entrance to the gorge. Future kings and poets supposedly travel here to be inspired by the views.

Wu Gorge

Wu Gorge or Witches Gorge, is the second gorge with sheer cliffs on each side that rise so high they sometimes block out the sun. Six peaks line the North side and six line the South side. The most famous peak is the Goddess Peak which is said to resemble a kneeling maiden.

Xiling Gorge

The deepest of the three gorges is Xiling Gorge. It is actually seven smaller gorges with interesting names like Military Books and Precious Sword based on ancient legends.

The dam is in the middle of Xiling Gorge. The dam has raised the level of the river to 574 feet above sea level.

About 1.5 million people needed to be relocated because of the dam and one of the relocation villages is across the river from Fengdu.

The dam is five times larger than the Hoover Dam and it generates 10 times more hydroelectric power.

Cruise goers through the gorges are treated to breathtaking landscape including the sheer cliffs, narrow river paths and dense forests. Many of the cruises also feature shore excursions which include cultural actives such as calligraphy and tai chi classes, mahjong lessons and lectures about traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Tai Chi

A touch-off point for the cruises can be Shanghai which will be explored in a future post.

If a fascinating cruise along the Yangtze is on your bucket list, GetAway Travel will make that happen. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

 

On land or at sea: Amazing Australia

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The Land Down Under is the one of the only places in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet. It is home to the Great Barrier Reef as well as the Wet Tropics of Queensland, the oldest tropical rainforest on earth. If adventuring in two marvels of biodiversity are on your bucket list, the travel advisors at GetAway Travel are here for you! 

The Great Barrier Reef

 Queensland rainforest renowned for beauty 

 Wet Tropics of Queensland is 3,453 square miles of rainforest that is 80 million years older than the Amazon rainforest. It is one of the only places on earth where two World Heritage sites sit practically side-by-side. The Great Barrier Reef is visible from the rainforest. 

Rainforest in Queensland

The rainforest, renowned for its beauty and biodiversity, is home to 2,800 plant species and 380 of those are considered rare or threatened. There are 102 animal species that are also classified as rare or threatened. One-third of Australia’s mammals call the Wet Tropics home and of those, 13 can only be found in the rainforest. Forty percent of the country’s bird species, 58% of the butterfly species and 30% of Australia’s marsupial species are in the rainforest.  

Rainbow Lorikeet – Queensland

There are actually nine subregions in Wet Tropics with the regional star being the Daintree Rainforest. 

Curtis Falls, Queensland

The Daintree Rainforest covers the Northeast coast. It is criss-crossed by rivers and framed by the impressive Mossman Gorge. 

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Visitors can see the rainforest, including some of the more spectacular waterfalls, by taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Or, take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. It takes you across the rainforest from the Barron Gorge National Park. There are two stops, at Red Peak and Barron Falls. A viewing platform a short walk from the Barron Falls stop overlooks the gorge and spectacular falls. 

Barron falls as seen from the Kuranda railway

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