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Imagine Going There Travel
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For Culture-Collecting Clients & Friends of Imagine Going There Travel THE COMPASS
SEPTEMBER 2023
A Family Reunion and a Swedish Wedding
A flurry of recent travel events culminated in a long-awaited reuniting with Serena, our youngest daughter, who we haven’t seen in way too long. (Two of our daughters, Serena and Cherise, live in Australia, and flights back to the United States are expensive!) Serena met Samuel, the love of her life, in Australia, and they got married there about 3 1/2 years ago. Samuel is from Sweden, and when our two families met at the wedding, we felt instantly connected. So, when Samuel’s sister got engaged recently, we were delighted to receive an invitation to the wedding.
DID YOU KNOW ...
With airline delays and time zone changes, it’s easy to get disoriented when traveling. Recently, I was relaxing in an airport lounge and just happened to go to the reception area to double-check the arrival time of my next flight. I had a lot less time than I thought because my phone wasn’t set to update the time automatically.
The flight into Sweden provided a taste of what a beautiful country it is — lots
of forests and lakes, bordered by the ocean (at one point, Viking had a cruise that stopped here, too). Though it was after 10 p.m. when we arrived, we were warmly greeted as we entered Urban and Agneta’s home. Our oldest daughter, Meredith, had flown in a few days before and was already enjoying time with the family and helping with last-minute wedding to-dos. We sat down to a wonderful fika , a term that I would come to dearly love in the days ahead. ( Fika basically means to stop CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...
If you have an iPhone, be sure to go to:
Settings -> General -> Date & Time -> Set Automatically
It’s similar for Android users:
Settings -> General Management - Date & Time -> Automatic Time Zone Thankfully, I didn’t miss my flight but easily could have if I hadn’t checked!
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
Spotlight on Rachel!
Rachel has always been fascinated by the idea of discovering new locations or just enjoying her country’s local attractions. She often delves into travel magazines and watches documentaries, immersing herself in the vivid descriptions of international destinations. It was a constant source of daydreaming and excitement for her to sail on the open seas and soak in the breathtaking views and vibrant cultures of different coastal cities. She pursued a career in the hotel industry for a decade, including a few years at Movenpick Hotel Doha. However, the responsibilities of motherhood took priority, so she decided to dedicate her time and energy to taking care of her two lovely boys. Rachel then began to explore options allowing her to continue pursuing her interests while still being present for her family.
for Imagine Going There Travel, which marked a new chapter in her life. In fact, joining IGT is a dream come true for her. She’s able to combine her love for travel with her professional skills and experience as she assists Carol and the rest of the team. She may be working
in the background, but she loves learning about the rich history
of the destinations and the culinary delights that await travelers on these cruises. We are so thrilled to have Rachel on our team. She’s hardworking and efficient and always has a smile and a kind word to share. She
accomplishes so much behind- the-scenes work, which makes everyone’s job so much easier. We can’t imagine IGT without her!
Venturing into online jobs was most feasible, and Rachel found an opportunity to work
TRULY BIZARRE STATE LAWS
In every state, you must abide by laws whether you’re a legal resident or a visitor passing through. For the most part, state laws are understandable and make sense. However, some laws are so weird and absurd that they make you scratch your head in confusion.
goods or if you plan on poking fun at the person receiving the order.
procedures done. But in Vermont, if a woman wants false teeth, they first need permission from their husband before doing so. Thankfully, this law isn’t enforced but hasn’t been removed from the books, either! YOU CAN’T PLAY PINBALL UNTIL YOU’RE 18 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Pinball is a fan-favorite arcade game many people enjoy. However, anyone under 18 is prohibited from playing if you’re visiting South Carolina. The law dates back to the 1960s when pinball was used for gambling. Even though things are different now, the law is still intact. These are only a few of the bizarre laws on the books in the U.S. Do you know of any other absurd rules and regulations we missed? Let us know!
IF YOU’RE DRINKING, YOU CAN’T PLAY BINGO IN NORTH CAROLINA. Before the law was enacted in October 2016, you could serve or drink alcoholic beverages while playing bingo in North Carolina. But now, it’s strictly prohibited! You also can’t hold more than two bingo games a week, and they must be at least 48 hours apart. Furthermore, a bingo game cannot last longer than five hours per session. DO YOU WANT FALSE TEETH? WOMEN NEED PERMISSION FROM THEIR SPOUSES IN VERMONT! If you want to get dentures, implants, veneers, or other dental work done, as long as you’re an adult, you don’t need permission from anyone to have these
Here are some of the weirdest laws on the books in four different states.
NO SURPRISE DELIVERIES OR PURCHASES IN LOUISIANA! When you want to do something nice for someone, you may set up a surprise delivery of food, flowers, or other products or services to their doorstep. But in Louisiana, you cannot purchase goods for someone else if the person receiving the goods didn’t authorize the order. It’s also illegal if the recipient is required to pay for the
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... CONTINUED FROM COVER
“Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” —LOU HOLTZ
and eat, usually in the form of sweets or snacks, but can be done early or late — or both!) Agneta made it festive with a wonderful meal and candlelight. After a long day of travel, it was just what we needed.
The next day was the wedding, and the rainy forecast was in keeping with the weather over the last two months — the wettest summer in 100 years. The bride and groom left for their outdoor photos under gloomy skies and climbed to a picturesque part of the mountain. Just then, the sun miraculously broke out, and they had the most perfect weather! While the ceremony was in Swedish, it was easy to follow what was going on. Serena was a lovely bridesmaid, and it was so wonderful to see her looking so beautiful as she came down the aisle. I thought my heart was about to burst with happiness getting to see her again!
One of the Swedish recipes our girls love is called kladdkaka, which is a lot like a chocolate mud pie. Urban is the kladdkaka baker, so he taught Doug how to make it. Swedish Kladdkaka
The reception followed with Samuel as one of the emcees. I loved how the program included not only the traditional toasts from the bridal party but also a lot of interaction among
Ingredients • 1/2 cup cocoa • 1 1/4 cups flour • Pinch of salt • 4 eggs • 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup butter, melted and cooled • Whipped cream, for garnish
the guests, and Samuel did a wonderful job of keeping everyone engaged and laughing. There were games the whole audience participated in as well as time for the guests at each table to come and share a personal word with the bride and groom. The day was absolutely beautiful, and we couldn’t have had a better time. We stayed a few more days just relaxing with this wonderful family and getting a chance to see more of Sweden.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine cocoa, flour, and salt. Set aside. 3. With electric mixer, beat eggs until creamy, slowly adding sugar and vanilla, and continue to beat for 3–5 minutes. 4. Alternately add dry ingredients and butter until all are incorporated. 5. Grease and flour a fluted plate or 9-inch springform pan and pour in batter. 6. Bake for 33 minutes, then test. A knife inserted about 1 inch from the edge should be almost dry and the middle still moist. 7. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 15 minutes to cool slightly. May be served warm or allow to cool completely. Garnish with whipped cream.
And, of course, more opportunities for fika , too!
—Carol Shaddix
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
770.421.9627 | www.ImagineGoingThere.com 3600 Dallas Hwy, Suite 230-215, Marietta, GA 30064
Everything you love about Viking, only better! A great destination is just one part of an amazing vacation. Just like having a master chef prepare your meal at your favorite restaurant, as one of Viking’s largest representatives, we’ve booked these vacations countless times. We intuitively know how to enhance the outcome of your experience so it consistently delivers above and beyond your expectations (and know when those special promotions such as extra shipboard credit or free airfare are available that you might not know about). Whether you are interested in an individual reservation or want to travel together as a group, call 770.421.9627 for your free consultation on how to make your next vacation even better than you expected!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. 2.
A SWEDISH WEDDING
MEET RACHEL!
TRULY BIZARRE STATE LAWS
3. 4.
SWEDISH KLADDKAKA
TALES FROM OUR SAILS
THROUGH THE EYES OF RICK AND RADONNA, VIKING TRAVEL PROS Tales From Our Sails
Rick and Radonna have experienced amazing adventures on five Viking river cruises and five Viking ocean cruises, but they aren’t stopping there: They have three more cruises with
“Viking ships are great because the other travelers are truly there to experience the destination and are excited to learn about nature and the culture,” they say. “The ship, even
Aboard Viking cruises, Rick and Radonna have met some of their best friends. After the cruise ends, they keep in touch and even visit each other’s homes and plan more adventures together — just like their upcoming trip in April 2024!
Viking scheduled! They are definitely ones to chat with about ships, destinations, expeditions, or travel tips!
though it’s amazing, isn’t the focus — it’s about the place you are there to explore, and Viking has some amazing expeditions to offer.”
RICK AND RADONNA’S VIKING TRAVEL BOOK
After traveling on both Viking’s river and ocean
Ocean Cruises Panama Canal; Iceland’s Natural Beauty; Venice, the Adriatic & Greece; British Isles Explorer; Iconic Western Mediterranean River Cruises Rhine Getaway; Romantic Danube; Cities of Light; France’s Finest; Christmas Along the Elbe
Speaking of destinations, if Rick and Radonna had to pick a favorite, it would be very tough. “They are all so different,” they explain. “The main thing is that the tours and excursions really put the places you visit in a new perspective. A few years before our very first cruise with Viking, which was called Cities of Light , we traveled to Paris on our own. We didn’t realize how much we missed the first time around until we experienced it with Viking.”
cruises, Rick and Radonna admit they enjoy the river cruise ships more, simply because of the size and intimacy. “We enjoy smaller ships,” they say. “We like the lack of casinos and being able to interact with others without the crowds and lines.” Ultimately, Rick and Radonna mention that it’s all about the destination since they’re only on the ship to sleep, shower, eat, and talk to others.
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New Explora Journeys Offers a Ship Full of Surprises
I recently returned from the maiden voyage of Explora Journeys and was very impressed. You know it would take something substantial to lure me to expand beyond our Viking specialty, but having personally experienced this new cruise line, I couldn’t wait to tell you about it! The ship is stunning with 461 sophisticated ocean- front suites. With nine amazing restaurants, the food is absolutely incredible. Wellness is also a key focus, so there are lots of included fitness options onboard (including a pickleball court) and an amazing spa. They also have very interesting guest speakers called Luminaries who speak on a wide variety of topics to create a culture that values education and shared experiences.
SPECIALS • Early booking bonus — up to 10% off 2023 journeys; 5% off 2024 journeys • Bonus Journey Experience Credits based on your loyalty status and tier. (Book by Oct. 1, 2023, for DOUBLE Journey Experience Credits) • Single travelers pay just 15% single supplement on select cruises. • Multigenerational options: • Connecting staterooms • Staterooms with reduced rates for third and fourth guests • Nautilus Club for younger travelers • Exclusive Air Bonus (Book by Oct. 1, 2023) Plus, book any Explora Journeys cruise for 2023 and be automatically entered into a drawing for an additional $500 shipboard credit! Use this QR code to watch videos from my recent cruise interviewing key personnel explaining what
Lots to share, but here are some highlights:
• All staterooms are suites (lead-in category is 377 square feet). • Enjoy nine distinct culinary experiences and in-suite dining. • Receive a welcome bottle of champagne upon arrival. • Unlimited beverages, fine wines, premium spirits, coffees, teas, and soft drinks are available anytime, including an in-suite mini-bar. • Well-being and fitness programs onboard. • Enjoy an amazing thermal spa. • Gratuities are included.
makes Explora Journeys unique. Then, call me at 770.421.9627 for a quote or more information. —Carol Shaddix
CHECKLIST FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VACATION Has the advisor personally traveled with the cruise line you’re considering? Anyone can do research on the internet, but there’s no substitute for personal experience and the connections made while meeting with the management team onboard. Do they know about unadvertised deals? An agency that books a high volume of clients each month will have access to specials not available to the public. What else do they do beside take your deposit and final payment? We have an 18-point system to make sure every detail is taken care of and each guest feels special. What is their specialty, and how long have they been doing it? You want someone who is a seasoned veteran in a particular area and will follow up with you personally about your vacation. Do they have access to bonus amenities that can enhance your trip? We love providing those extra surprises! Do they really care about each aspect of your vacation? Our team spends hours on the phone helping our guests get the best flights, personally answering questions, and adding extra touches to make your vacation experience truly exceptional in every way. Do they charge a fee? There’s no charge for our services — we are paid to help you, and we give a lot of extra value for our guests as well. We know if you love your vacation like we expect you will, you’ll want to travel with us again and again. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trusting the team at Imagine Going There Travel with your vacation! Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com 770.421.9627 If you’ve recently booked your cruise, contact us and we may be able to add extra bonuses to your reservation!
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