FRANCE Penny and Rich Lanigan recently checked a dream destination off their bucket list. They spent three days in Paris, then boarded a Viking river cruise from Paris to Normandy, after which they hopped aboard a cruise from Avignon to Lyon in Provence. Rich surprised Penny with this unforgettable vacation because France has always enchanted her. The couple, who have been married for 37 years, relished in Paris’ art, history and “joie de vivre,” French for ‘the joy of living.’ The outdoor cafés, booksellers along the Seine River, delicious wine and elevated cuisine delighted their senses in a way only Paris can. Of their cruise adventures, Giverny and Monet’s gardens and home, the memorial and Omaha Beach in Normandy, Les Baux and a tiny village called Viviers in Provence stood out as Penny’s favorites. Many small towns in the Normandy and Provencal regions are built along cliffs. They can be physically challenging to visit but that didn’t keep the Lanigans from exploring France’s beauty to their hearts’ content. GREECE David and Lori Nelson visited Greece to celebrate their 30th anniversary, a celebration that was delayed due to the pandemic. They set their sights on Athens, Mykonos and Santorini to enjoy the landscapes, food and unique culture in three of Greece’s most popular destinations. Excursions included the Acropolis in Athens and the Meteora rock formations in Thessaly, the second-largest monastery complex in Greece. The Nelsons enjoyed the lively atmosphere of Mykonos as well as the beautiful sunsets in Santorini. They appreciated the warm hospitality of the Greek people throughout their journey. While in Santorini, David and Lori visited a cooking school and learned how to make a traditional Greek salad, moussaka, shrimp saganaki and tomato fritters. They couldn’t leave Greece without bringing one of its best exports, its food, back home. THAILAND Alicia Hall-Zimov and her family are currently on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. So far, they have visited England, Greece, Singapore, Bali, Thailand and Malaysia. On the way back to Isle of Palms, they will stop in Vietnam, Japan and Hawaii. Among the many memorable activities they’ve enjoyed on this adventure, Alicia, her husband, Mike, and their children, Ava (17) and Mason (14), visited an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They also dove with manta rays, surfed, drove ATVs and rode horseback on the beach in Bali. The Zimovs have been meeting other worldschooling families along the way. Worldschooling is similar to homeschooling but involves extended journeys abroad allowing students to experience lessons firsthand. Alicia and Mike enjoy discovering diverse cultures, languages and customs with their children. By partaking in these experiences, they hope to broaden their children’s horizons and help them better understand the world while teaching them valuable life skills and, most importantly, creating lasting memories and a strong family bond. 19 IslandVibesIOP.com TRAVEL Travel: Fall adventures & escapades By Isabel Alvarez Arata
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