JoAnne Michaud, Dream Vacations

Explore lands of lore, art, and architecture on a tour of the Iberian Peninsula with Silversea. Sail to the home of Picasso, El Cid, and Don Quixote, step back in time at medieval towns along the coast, and delight in the whimsy of Gaudí's masterpieces in Barcelona. Discover the magic of Portugal and Spain on your next voyage to the Mediterranean.

Immerse yourself in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, Australia! Spanning over 38 hectares, it hosts an impressive collection of more than 8,500 plant species from around the globe. From camellias to rainforest flora, cacti to roses, the gardens boast a rich tapestry of botanical diversity. Plan your visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne today, and discover the beauty of nature in the heart of the city! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/Azamara

Are the Northen Lights on your bucket list? Join JoAnne Michaud, Dream Vacations and Hurtigruten to dive into the magic of the Norwegian coastline. Discover the bounty Norway has to offer, including the Northern Lights, Scandinavian history & culture, culinary adventure, and more!

Webinar: In Pursuit of the Northern Lights
When: Tuesday, Sept 3, 2024 5:30PM Arizona or 8:30PM EST
Register at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YHAQ-8tRSB6lGTAPNVdQLw
Webinar ID 946 5899 5710

JoAnne will be escorting a group in October 2025 traveling to Norway in pursuit of the Northern Lights. Sailing from Tromso, Norway, one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, we will explore the coast of Norway as we make our way to Oslo. Embark on this 9-day voyage and spend additional time before and/or after the cruise in this beautiful country or elsewhere in Europe.

As an added bonus, attendees who book following this informational session will be eligible for an added incentive!

See the full trip details: https://www.mytravelplannerapp.com/trip/6yw9rqurzyqsqz2aa5umqtwgjkvyq9a

Don't let summer slip away without booking one last adventure for the year! It's the Sunset to Summer Sale - so act now and secure your vacation with summer's last savings today! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/promo

With my conference in Curacao ending, it’s time I post a bit more about the conference and the beautiful property of Sandals Royal Curacao.
Thinking of traveling to Curacao or another Caribbean destination? Call me. I can help pair you with the experience you’re looking for.

Ascend to new heights on the SkyGlider Gondola at Icy Strait Point, Alaska! Soar to the top of White Alice Mountain, where you can soak in panoramic views of Glacier Bay and explore the lush wilderness of Tongass National Forest. 🌲 Let's arrange your bird's-eye view; contact us now! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/Alaska

Sailing to more than 100 destinations, Silversea's all-inclusive Australia and New Zealand itineraries offer something for every traveler. Visit Edenic coastal towns (including the aptly named Eden), sip world-class wines in New Zealand, explore Sydney's iconic landmarks, and soak in a unique blend of natural beauty, age-old culture, and cosmopolitan cool.

From safaris to souks to sun-kissed beaches, discover the exotic wonder and legendary natural beauty of Africa. Sail in all-inclusive luxury with Silversea and choose from expedition itineraries tailored for adventurers or a more leisurely exploration of the most mysterious continent of all.

I'm on my way to Curacao to attend the American Society of Travel Advisors’ Caribbean Showcase conference where I will learn from tourism leaders from various Caribbean nations, meet with Caribbean suppliers, tour operators and destination management companies, as well as explore more of the beautiful island of Curacao.

It’s crucial for me to meet and connect with destination experts and leaders and specialty suppliers and others so that I have the knowledge and resources necessary to plan my clients’ dream vacations.

Are you thinking of a Caribbean vacation and need some help? Call me at 919-452-0227 and I'll help you find the perfect destination.

No visit to the Netherlands is complete without a visit to the famous Amsterdam canals! For an immersive experience, explore the canals by boat, pedal boat, or SUP board. Alternatively, take a leisurely walk along the canals, stopping at local shops and authentic bars along the way. However you choose to experience them, the canals promise a memorable adventure. Contact us to start planning your escape! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/Amsterdam-Video

Travel tip! 🌟 Don't let the wait for your room stop you from making a splash! 💦 Pack your bathing suit in your carry-on bag so you can dive right into the pool or enjoy beachside amenities while you wait for your room to be ready. It's the perfect way to start your vacation feeling refreshed and relaxed! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com

Calling all thrill-seekers: Your tropical kayaking escapade awaits at Half Moon Cay! 🛶 Explore the pristine Bone Fish Lagoon, navigating through acres of protected habitat and mangrove forest. Glide over crystal-clear waters, spotting unique marine creatures or stopping to interact with starfish, sea cucumbers, and conch in shallow waters. The Bahamas are calling; don't wait to book your trip! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/Carnival

Enter to win the Azamara Luxury Cruise for Two Vacation Giveaway! Experience all-inclusive luxury and explore breathtaking destinations around the globe. Don't miss out, enter by October 13th, 2024, and let your dreams set sail! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/contest

I’m on my return journey home…
Yesterday was our last day in Svalbard and then Oslo. We got to spend time in Longyearbyen and visited Camp Barentz where they train sledding dogs and take people out do sledding. We got to interact with some of the dogs and then were greeted with warm beverages and Norwegian crepes while we listed to a polar bear lecture.

Until next time Norway….

Step into a botanical oasis at The Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia! 🌸🌿 Founded over a century ago, this 55-acre marvel has blossomed into a world-renowned display garden and National Historic Site. From the Japanese Garden's serene waters to the Rose Garden's captivating scents and colors, it's a feast for the senses. Let us plan your escape; contact us! (919) 452-0227

Reunited at last…

Flew back to Oslo from Longyearbyen and guess what was waiting for me at the hotel????

Aug 11th brought us to Bamsebu which is a 1930’s former beluga whaling area. It was so sad to see the beach which is still full of old whale bones…
Today was windy and although we had an extremely smooth expedition for our entire journey, this was our roughest day—we got wet in the zodiacs.
I did a hike with our expedition guides and we went to Pitnerodden which was a short 5+k hike. Hiking in cold weather gear with muck boots definitely adds to the experience.
In the afternoon, we went to Recherchefjord where we saw the Recherchebreen glacier, the jagged mountains in the backdrop, a beautiful lagoon with icebergs, it was a gorgeous afternoon filled with beauty.
Aug 12th was our last excursion day where we landed in Isfjorden where we hiked to a waterfall, then up a mountainside to enjoy beautiful views and see many wonderful reindeer along the way.

Aug 9th we had Barentsoya and Edgeoya on the program bit it wasn’t a good day to get off of the ship. Unfortunately the fog was too dense to make landings. One thing that’s different in the Arctic compared to Antarctica is that you’re more likely to be dealing with a cancelled landing due to fog than wind. If there is fog in the Arctic regions, it’s not possible for the expedition team to scout for polar bears and secure the landing site for passengers. Despite trying multiple different locations, the fog kept us on board the ship. The crew filled the day with lectures and activities but I chose to work throughout the day instead of my fragmented schedule when there are landings.
Aug 10th had us starting the day at Kapp Waldburg. We had to change landing sites as there was a polar bear sleeping near our first landing site. We then went to Hornsund where the fog didn’t cooperate again. We waited it out without success and then moved on to Gnalodden where we did a landing and explored this majestic area. The steep rock mountain is a great nesting area for kittiwakes and guillemots and you can see and hear the birds all around the cliff side. We also got to see a flock of barnacle geese on the beach. We got to visit the cabin of the first woman trapper in the area dating back to the early 1900’s. It was a great landing. We ended the day with more whale sightings. Fabulous!

Set sail for refined elegance aboard Queen Victoria! From the majestic lobby to the awe-inspiring theater featuring the first private boxes at sea, every detail exudes palatial splendor. With expanded sun decks, Britannia Club dining, and enhanced venues like the Chart Room and Winter Garden, this beloved vessel promises an extraordinary experience. Let's plan your getaway today! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/Cunard-Queen-Victoria

POLAR BEAR ALERT
August 7th took us to Chermsideoya and Isflakbukta in Phippsoya, one of the northern most points where you can set foot on land. Later that day, we saw blue whales as we sailed. Blue whales aren’t as common a sighting and they generally are very brief sightings but these whales put on quite a show. The captain even turned the ship around so we could go back en enjoy the whales some more.
August 8th took us to Kvitoya - the White Island made famous in 1897 by a Swedish engineer Andree whose balloon expedition to the North Pole crashed a few hundred km from the island and where they managed to walk to the island across the ice shelves. There is a monument on the island in honor of the explorers.
We went zodiac cruising along Kvitoya and saw (and smelled 😂) large colonies of walruses. We also got to experience four different polar bear sightings. How exciting! A few of them were sleeping on the beach. One watched us for a while, then got up and walked away. Another one was walking towards a small ridge. It was so amazing to get to see these majestic creatures in the wild while getting close enough to see and appreciate them without disturbing them. I had really hoped to see polar bears and walruses on this expedition—I’m so blessed!!

On Aug 6th we went zodiac cruising by Monacobreen glacier which is an impressive 43km long and 5km wide. The weather was spectacular with the sun coming out and even a rainbow greeting us. Our afternoon landing was at Texas Bar. Texas Bar? Yup! It’s the name of a trapper’s cabin in a remote area. No bar but a few bunks, a place to take shelter, and, yes, a stock of bevies. From there, a group of us elected to do a hike up a few area peaks. We gained 3,300’ of altitude and were rewarded with beautiful views. I was surprised to see beautiful wildflowers along the way.
Later that day, we crossed the 80° mark to Moffen, an island on the northern coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago.

On Aug 5th we were to have our first landing in Magdelenefjord on the small peninsula of Gravnest, one of the largest graveyards of whalers in Svalbard. We were not able to make the landing as a polar bear and her cub were along the shoreline. Although we were able to watch them from the ship, the water was too shallow to get close enough for photos.
We then went on to Smeerenburg in Smeerenburgfjord which was also a location of an old whaling station. Most of what was the development at the time has since disappeared; the majority of the items of the village were taken back to the Netherlands and the remaining items having been buried by sand. There are remains of old blubber ovens. This area is also a good place to see walruses and it didn’t disappoint! We got to watch a huddle of walruses. Some came up the beach, others played in the water, while most just lounged on the beach. It was an amazing experience.

You haven't seen London until you've seen it from a double-decker bus! 🚌 Traverse through centuries-old history and royal splendor as you take in iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben. Ready to hop on board? Contact us to book your British excursion! https://jmichaud.dreamvacations.com/London-England-Video

August 4th took us to Kongsbreen where we went zodiac cruising along glaciers. We got to see beautiful landscape, ice, and various birds. We later arrived in Ny-Alesund which is a small town with many research stations from around the world. The town has a long history of coal mining. This is the only inhabited landing we will make during this trip.