Martindale Travel and Tours

Vietnam and Cambodia Mekong River Cruise 2021
2021-10-14 - 2021-10-26 | Mekong Jewel
BOOK NOW: Call 206-399-2138 | Email amartindale@cruiseplanners.com

We invite you to join Brand g Vacations for a 13-day, LGBT+, all-inclusive, guaranteed full ship charter, featuring the mighty Mekong River and the Temples of Angkor Wat.
Request a PDF brochure here.
There can be no more striking cultural contrast than tranquil Cambodia and bustling Vietnam. From the diverse countryside of Cambodia to the Mekong Delta, so rich in human life and endeavor, you’ll discover two countries, two cultures, and two ways of life linked by one river, the Mekong.

Join Brand g on a comprehensive 13-day journey through the heart of Cambodia and Vietnam, featuring a seven-night, all-gay cruise charter along the mighty Mekong River. Cruise aboard the all-suite, luxurious Mekong Jewel, specially built to ply the Mekong River from Kampong Cham, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City. Embracing an elegant French-colonial design similar to the many homes that once lined the streets of old Saigon, she boasts spacious suites from 323 square feet up to an expansive 915 square feet in size. From here, you will enjoy all the wonders the Mekong has to offer in sophisticated, yet comfortable style. With never more than 24 guests per expert guide, you will enjoy enriching lectures, a comprehensive series of well-planned excursions, and most meals and beverages! Also included is a three-night stay in Siem Reap including an in-depth visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, and a two-night stay in bustling Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), each featuring five-star, centrally-located hotels.

During the cruise you’ll also enjoy complimentary beverages including locally-produced beer, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks as well as house wines with dinner. Dine on European cuisine and regional specialties infused with flavors from Asia’s celebrated culinary tradition.
With just 34 custom-designed suites, space is limited. To book, contact Brand g Vacations or your travel professional today!”
Inclusions

3 nights deluxe hotel accommodations in Siem Reap, including daily breakfast, three lunches and one dinner
7-night cruise including all meals
2 nights deluxe hotel accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City, including daily breakfast, one lunch and one dinner
Cruise includes free-flowing local spirits, house wines (wines with dinner only) and locally-produced beer and soft drinks
Daily shore excursions and touring on both land and cruise

Highlights

Visit the 12th century Angkorian temple complex of Wat Nokor Bachey
Glide in wooden sampans to the historic An Kiet House and gardens in Cai Be, Vietnam
Ride a Vietnamese tuk-tuk, or xe loi, to a family-owned mat weaving workshop
Take a cyclo tour of Phnom Penh, including the Royal Palace, Throne Hall, Moonlight Pavilion, and the National Museum collection of Angkorian artifacts
See Phnom Penh’s famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and the diamond-encrusted Maitreya Buddha
From Phnom Pehn travel to Choeung Ek and see the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields, the memorial stupa, and Tuol Sleng (S-21 Prison)
Tour a local school in the village of Wat Hanchey and receive a traditional Buddhist water blessing from the monks at the local monastery
See Kampong Cham’s Phnom Pros (Man Hill), Phnom Srei (Woman Hill), the 33-foot long reclining Buddha, and the 42-foot tall preaching Buddha

Scotland’s Royal Majesty Cruise and Exploration 2021
2021-10-05 - 2021-10-17 | Lord of the Glens
BOOK NOW: Call 206-399-2138 | Email amartindale@cruiseplanners.com

We invite you to join Brand g Vacations for an LGBT+, inclusive, guaranteed full ship charter, exploring Scotland’s Royal Majesty.
Due to complications connected to the COVID-19 pandemic we have rescheduled our June 2021 Scotland program to this new date. Previously booked guests will have first priority to move to the new program and then any remaining space will be offered to those already on the wait list. If you would like to be added to the wait list, please contact us.
Request a PDF Brochure here.

This tour offers a fascinating insight into Scotland’s history and its Royal connections past and present with unparalleled access to the former and current homes of the Her Majesty The Queen and Her Majesty The Queen Mother. Following two nights in Inverness, enjoy a breathtaking 7-day luxury cruise from Fort Augustus to Inverness on board the Lord of the Glens. See Scotland’s famous Autumnal scenery and visit the islands of Eigg, Mull, Iona and Skye as well as the towns of Fort William and Laggan and sail on famous Loch Ness. Following the cruise, our exploration continues with three nights in Edinburgh. Here we tour Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace while taking in the famous Scottish atmosphere and culture. Optional bookable tours are available to Roslin Chapel (made famous in the Da Vinci Code) or historic Stirling Castle. Our last night ends with a Royal Invitation to a luxury State farewell dinner onboard HM The Queen’s former floating home, the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Package Includes

Welcome reception in Inverness
Traditional Highland Dinner in Inverness with local entertainment
2 nights hotel accommodation in Inverness including breakfast
Lunch at HRH Prince Charles’s Rothesay Arms Hotel
7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation
Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
Free flowing house wine and local beer with lunch and dinner during cruise
Hosted receptions throughout the cruise
Lunch at HM The Queen Mother’s former home Glamis Castle
Three nights deluxe accommodation in The Hilton Carlton Edinburgh.
Exclusive lunch on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh
Optional tours of Stirling Castle or Roslin Chapel
Formal state dining on the Royal Yacht Britannia, HM The Queen’s former floating home.

Touring Highlights

See Scone Palace home Scotland’s ancient founding fathers, both pagan and Christian.
View the spectacular Cairngorms and take in the breathtaking scenery of Scotland’s wilderness
Visit Culloden where “Bonnie” Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746
Take the West Highland railway line over the renowned viaduct to beautiful Glenfinnan, made famous in the Harry Potter films
Enjoy Loch Ness and search for the world-famous Loch Ness Monster “Nessie” and take in the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle
Sail Neptune’s Staircase in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Great Britain’s highest mountain
Visit Eigg where you can get a sense of what life is like for the roughly 90 people who live on this island community
Visit the World Heritage site, the Isle of Iona the last resting place of some 50 Scottish Kings and where St. Columba introduced Christianity to Britain and home to Duart Castle
Visit Tobermory on the Isle of Mull
Tour Glamis Castle, former home of HM The Queen Mother and enjoy a private tea in the kitchen
Visit Holyrood Palace, HM The Queen’s formal home in Edinburgh and view the Queen’s gallery
Enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle
Explore the Royal Yacht Britannia and enjoy a Luxury State Dinner

Bucharest to Budapest Danube River Cruise 2021
2021-09-04 - 2021-09-13 | MS Amadeus Queen
BOOK NOW: Call 206-399-2138 | Email amartindale@cruiseplanners.com

Lower Danube riverboat cruise featuring the “Iron Gates”, overnights in Belgrade and Budapest, plus 2 pre-cruise nights in Bucharest!
Request a PDF brochure here.

Bucharest, Romania

Brand g Vacations is proud to offer a unique river cruise experience unlike any you’ll find on the rivers of Europe today. With this all-LGBT+ full cruise charter on the Amadeus Queen, you will be pampered by a crew of forty in an atmosphere of total relaxation. We’ve created an itinerary that includes four countries (Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary) that for decades were hidden behind the Iron Curtain.
Explore the undiscovered beauty of Eastern Europe as we begin in Bucharest, the legendary Romanian capital full of history and tradition. Sail from Giurgiu through the “Iron Gates”, the imposing gorge where the Danube breaks through the Carpathian Mountains. Enjoy an overnight in the revitalized Belgrade before continuing on to the vibrant Hungarian city of Budapest.

Inclusions

Two nights in historic Bucharest
Half day guided tour including the highlights of Bucharest
Tour of the imposing and ornate parliament of Bucharest and sumptuous local lunch
Guaranteed all-LGBT+ charter
7 Nights Cruise Accommodation
Complimentary beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise
Dining: all meals included during your cruise
Services of an experienced cruise director throughout the cruise
Complimentary shore excursions offered daily
Use of state-of-the-art audio headsets for all excursions
Brand g signature entertainment
Arrival and Departure airport transfers in Bucharest(OTP) and Budapest(BUD)

Highlights and Sightseeing

Itinerary with stops in four countries
Explores the capital city of Romania, also known as the “Paris of the East”
Sail through the “Iron Gates”, one of the most stunning gorges in Europe
Visit to the historic Kalemegdan fortress in Belgrade
Oplenac – the famous St. George’s Church, which is the final resting place of most of the Serbian royal family
St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion
Széchenyi Chain Bridge – the twin-towered bridge opened in 1849 and was the first bridge linking Buda and Pest together
Overnight on-board on the gorgeous waterfront in Budapest

Flight Recommendations

Arrivals for the main program: you may arrive at anytime on September 4th, or prior. Transfers will be provided from the Bucharest International Airport (OTP) to the host hotel. Your first event will be a welcome cocktail reception at approximately 5:30pm. Please contact us to discuss your travel plans and we will advise you regarding availability of non-airport transfers.
Arrivals for the pre-program add-on to the castles district:you may arrive at anytime on September 2nd or prior. Transfers will be provided from the Bucharest International Airport (OTP) to the host hotel. No official programming will be scheduled prior to 5:30pm on the 2nd. Please contact us to discuss your travel plans and we will advise you regarding availability of non-airport transfers.
Departures: Post cruise transfers will be provided on September 13th anytime. The ship will be docked in Budapest all night. All guests must disembark by approximately 10:00AM. We will transfer you from the ship to the Budapest Airport (BUD), Please contact us to discuss your travel plans and we will advise you regarding availability of non-airport transfers.

Bourbon River Cruise 2021
2021-08-22 - 2021-08-30 | American Queen Voyages ~ American Duchess
BOOK NOW: Call 206-399-2138 | Email amartindale@cruiseplanners.com

Bourbon Cruise
MEMPHIS TO LOUISVILLE RIVER CRUISE
9 DAY JOURNEY
August 22, 2021 – August 30, 2021

Spacious luxury awaits aboard the floating masterpiece that is the American Duchess. This boutique-style riverboat offers exquisite dining, beautiful decks and exceptional amenities. Her suites range from 180 to 550 square feet, allowing guests to stay in some of the largest accommodations on the rivers. Unique to the American Duchess are her Loft Suites, which feature two stories enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows, two full bathrooms, a comfortable dining area, a beautiful lounge with a queen sofa-bed, a private balcony and an upstairs bedroom.
Combining the best of the old and the new, this beautiful lady epitomizes the grace and grandeur that have made cruising on the Mississippi River a cherished American tradition for more than two centuries.

The rivers that flow through this itinerary play muse to artisans of mixed media – from sidewalk chalk to street fare – and are home to ports of cultural diversity that quickly captivate the hearts of visitors. Varied perspectives and lifestyles come to fruit in town squares and along city streets. Embark on a journey from Memphis to Louisville, traverse the confluence of rivers and engage in a uniquely American experience.

High-end luxury paddlewheeler
Private Veranda Suites to Loft and Owner’s Suites
range from 240 to 550 sq. ft.
Included boutique hotel stay before most voyages
(includes breakfast, taxes, porterage and vessel transfer )
Open seating and specialty dining venues
Masterful regional cuisine
Enrichment and Broadway-caliber entertainment
Comprehensive, guided shore excursions

INSIDE THE BOURBON EXPERIENCE – Learn what makes a centuries-old tradition as uniquely American as our river cruises with this rare opportunity to experience an extraordinary journey through America’s heartland and into the roots of Kentucky’s bourbon region. This special themed voyage will take you behind the scenes and into the history books to show you where bourbon comes from, how it is made and the ways to distinguish the unique characteristics of different distilleries. Not only have we arranged for special tastings, treats, and cooking demonstrations, but also we are thrilled to announce an exclusive line-up of special on-board guests. Both on-board and ashore, each day presents an eclectic blend of music, creative workshops and a wealth of enrichment that can’t be found anywhere else. This dynamic blend of historic discovery, toe-tapping entertainment and complimentary tours of the finest bourbon distilleries creates a uniquely American river cruise that you simply cannot afford to miss!
