In 2008 the old city center of Camaguey became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for very good reasons. As our bus entered and drove through twisty, narrow streets full of bici-taxis (human powered bicycle rickshaws), people, and some cars and motorcycles, very quickly I couldn't figure out any direction at all. These streets are like a labyrinth, a maze purposely built this way to confuse pirates and any other attackers, to try to keep the city center safe from marauders. Even with my usually good sense of direction, I needed a map to keep from getting lost. I didn't explore the old city center as much as I'd have liked to do, but one other woman and I walked the length of the longest pedestrian street (less than a mile long) both evenings we were there. ... read more

Our tour director, Emilio, was born in Cuba. He's lived in Miami for many years, but returns to lead Vantage tours and tells us a different side of Cuba from his American perspective. He says Americans are naive, and that what we hear from our government-required Cuban guide, Eddy, is propaganda, but the only story Eddy knows. So when Eddy is not around, and when the group is in a relatively private place, Emilio tells us what he understands is really happening. All the information is very interesting but also confusing. Apparently nothing is as it seems. When we arrived at the airport several of us felt that Emilio should have been there to smooth and facilitate our way into the country. Where was our leader at this somewhat problematic and slightly difficult entry point? We ... read more

How quickly the busy days rush by! We've been travelling in Portugal for a week, and now there are only a few days left on this trip. Porto is a lovely, hilly city; built on both sides of the equally lovely Douro River. On our first evening here we took a short river cruise, enjoying, of course, a glass of port as we travelled. I always thought I did not like port as it is too sweet, but after trying it a few times, with one tasting at the Ferreira Port Cellar (reputedly one of the most beautiful), I find that I can enjoy a good tawny or ruby or white, branco, as the Portuguese call it. We learn so many interesting things when we travel! One morning we had time to explore on our own; ... read more

By Monday, June 3 we had travelled from Connemara to the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry to Killarney. This was a great tour! We were definitely seeing all of Ireland's highlights as the trip had advertised. The weather was variable; luckily we had another sunny morning at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, but rain and fog continued to pursue and finally enclose us like clockwork at least every afternoon. Killarney was my favorite city in Ireland. Our hotel, the Killarney Towers Hotel, was right in the middle of town, jammed in among pubs, shops and restaurants, offering us the freedom to walk around in that city whenever we wanted, daytime or night; everything was right there close at hand. Diagonally across the street from our hotel was a chocolate shop with a most ... read more

On the last day of May the gusting wind blew so hard it pushed the heavy rain to pour sideways and down drenching everything and everybody. But we were on our way to Connemara, to visit Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine community welcoming visitors for almost one hundred years, since 1920. We could have wished for a more pleasant day, clear, or even with scattered showers, but our luck had run out. Umbrellas were almost no use, many turning inside out with the wind, but most of us had raincoats or at least coats that were somewhat water-resistant. Expecting less than beautiful weather in Ireland I had come prepared, wearing ankle boots and a good warm coat. My umbrella lasted a bit, so that was somewhat helpful too. What we could see of the Abbey through the ... read more