Blog - Amazing Journeys - Travel for Jewish Singles
Wanderlust Blog

Here at Amazing Journeys, we’re lucky to have the best jobs in the world—and we think our good fortune is worth sharing. So, when your next journey seems like a distant dream, take a few minutes to explore our WANDERLUST blog—it’s chock-full of engaging tales and helpful tips from our travels around the world.

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Allow us to brag

Friday, September 9th, 2022

by Erin

For 22 years, Amazing Journeys has been creating vacations that change your life! But don’t just take our word for it – allow us to share some testimonials from travelers who have experienced Amazing Journeys first-hand!


Traveling with Amazing Journeys is like eating potato chips – you can’t stop after one or two. It’s addictive! I have traveled around the world with them, from South America to Australia and New Zealand, Japan, the Galapagos and many countries in between. You are treated like family and make lifelong friends. Every detail is attended to. I am looking forward to my next adventure.
-Sylvia (France River Cruise traveler)

I would travel to the ends of the earth with Amazing Journeys. The trips taken with Amazing Journeys were chock full of eye opening adventures with rocking itineraries. Long after the adventures I am left with memories that inspire me and friends that I treasure. Amazing Journeys makes traveling easy. They think of every detail and provide explicit pre-trip instructions. The team is always open to questions and it is obvious this is more than a business to them, they really make you feel like family. During the trip they are with you to assist with anything you need, are friendly and the good energy they add to the trip is immeasurable. It’s scary to travel alone. But, when I make a reservation for an Amazing Journeys trip I am confident. I know their trips attract high caliber individuals and the AJ team does everything in their power to make the travels easy and enjoyable. I’m so glad that AJ is around and I was lucky enough to hear about them.
-Marla (UAE & India traveler)

Whether you’re an experienced traveler or a novice, you’ll be impressed with the energy, thoughtfulness, and care they devote to making sure you have an exciting, comfortable, hassle-free, and safe experience. With friendly professionalism, they manage to take groups of strangers to strange lands, bring them together, and help each create fond memories and warm relationships that can last a lifetime.
-Bonnie (Israel traveler)

I have literally been around the world with Amazing Journeys and enjoyed myself thoroughly. I get so busy with work that when they post a trip I am interested in, I skim the itinerary and pay my deposit right away as I trust… and they come through every time… to give me a wonderful experience as well as I feel safe as a single woman on their trips. I HIGHLY recommend them. My life is fuller because of my travel with Amazing Journeys.
-Stacy (Greenland traveler)

There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the great job they did in making this trip so very special!!!
-Helene (France River Cruise traveler)

The level of detail Amazing Journeys puts into every trip is insurmountable to any other travel company I have experienced. Each trip I have been on was more Amazing (hence their name) than the last. From cruising the Mediterranean, to a Jewish Heritage river boat tour through Eastern Europe, New Years Eve cruise through South America, an African safari, Hong Kong/China… all well planned, wonderful local tour guides, fantastic accommodations, and the list goes on. Travelers can rest assured that all details, big and small, are taken care of. If any emergencies occur, they are there handling it, making sure everything is taken care of. Are Jewish travel groups a bit more expensive than others? Yes. But well worth it. I have met some fantastic new friends from all over!! I have found everyone on their trips to be welcoming, friendly and we create fantastic memories. They are fantastic!!
-Toby (UAE & India traveler)

I have traveled with different companies before I found Amazing Journeys, and one thing I can say, you get what you pay for. Customer service is top notch. Every detail is taken care off. When I come home from an Amazing Journeys trip, I already start looking/planning the next one. I feel like every trip is once in a lifetime, that is how amazing the trips are.
-Reed (France River Cruise traveler)

I met many wonderful people who I know I will remain in contact with. I never thought I would have the opportunity to travel abroad and I could never have experienced the heart and soul of our stops without the expertise of Amazing Journeys. I have not stopped smiling since I have come home reliving the trip through pictures, Facebook, etc. I would not hesitate to travel with AJ again.
-Janet (Mediterranean Cruise traveler)

The level of organization and attention to detail by the group leaders was beyond anything I expected. I always felt like I knew exactly what was happening and if I needed help with any problems, the leaders would be there to help me. I also loved the ship and all the ports we visited!
-Audrey (Mediterranean Cruise traveler)

AJ plans fantastic trips. Once you book, you sit back and count the days till departure. Have questions? Never a problem. Their office phone is always answered in a friendly, warm manner. I can’t say enough positive things about Amazing Journeys!! It is the creme de la creme of singles travel groups. I’m glad I’m part of their family. I’m anxiously anticipating my next trip with them. I know I’ll be booking more in the future.
-Sharon (Africa traveler)

Amazing Journeys is really Amazing! This is a travel group for Jewish Singles – they travel the world and send you on fabulous trips. They take care of everything from visas, to airport transfers and you see everything there is to see in the location that you travel to. Their team is amazing! Knowledge and able to handle all types of situations and problems that may occur. After I have traveled to different locations throughout the world, I feel there is nothing I did not see or do in the particular location. I recommend this travel group for those who want to see the world!
-Lori (Greenland traveler)

The name is fitting. Just returned home from an AMAZING trip to Namibia. With the AJ staff’s attention to detail all I had to do was pack my bag (and find my passport) and head out. This was my 12th trip with my AJ friends. Already looking at the website to plan the next trip.
-Sharon (Namibia traveler)

I would highly recommend Amazing Journeys for group travel with nice Jewish people who are also interested in traveling to fun and new destinations. Amazing Journeys and its staff are professional, organized and bring together a diversity of Jewish travelers for a fun time. They always take care of the important details so I can enjoy a carefree vacation. I also like that they work hard to make sure everyone feels warm, welcome, comfortable and included in all activities on their trips. I look forward to my next trip with Amazing Journeys very soon!
-Lisa (Peru traveler)

I’ve traveled with other companies. Amazing Journeys is the top! They have a great inside staff and trip leaders that really take care of everything. They offer quite a variety of trips. With them I’ve been able to visit all seven continents. I highly recommend them!
-Marty (Antarctica traveler)

I have travelled with Amazing Journeys a number of times and they really do exceed expectations. The trips are well organised, and you feel like part of the family! The added extras, attention to detail and ability to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible means I would not hesitate to travel with them again. They are also just lovely to deal with, warm, friendly and clearly care about what they do. Cannot recommend highly enough!
-Benjy (French Polynesia traveler)

Because of Amazing Journeys, I have had the opportunity to travel all over the world and meet some people I can no longer imagine my life without. Think about your last vacation, did you meet other people or did you just hang out with the one or two other people you came with? I went on my first AJ trip with one friend and came away with dozens more. I keep coming back and now I can’t imagine my life without my new friends. This group is great if you have the travel bug but just can’t seem to find people who want to travel with you. You can sign up for one of the many AJ trips and just go. You WILL meet people.
-Tiffani (Morocco traveler)

What a summer!

Wednesday, August 31st, 2022

by Erin

It has been an amazingly full, fun and fabulous summer here at Amazing Journeys, and we want to start out by saying THANK YOU!  We know that when the pandemic started and travel came to a screeching halt, many of you were not sure when you would feel comfortable traveling again.  But we are happy to share that so far this year, 218 travelers have hopped on planes, cars and cruises to embrace their wanderlust and get back out there!  It means so much to us that you trust us for your re-entry into the travel world and we are thrilled to have had so many incredible experiences since travel has become an option again.

Spring had us bouncing from Costa Rica to the Music Cities of New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville to Croatia to Morocco!

In June, our amazing travelers ventured to Israel – many for the first time.  From hiking around the top of Masada to floating in the Dead Sea, experiencing the nightlife of Tel Aviv and learning the history of Jerusalem, we took on Israel head-first. We tasted local flavors in the market, shopped for crafts in the shuk and celebrated Shabbat at the Kotel. We opened our eyes, ears and souls to new experiences and Israel did not disappoint. And half of the group ventured to Jordan to check Petra off their bucket list!

In July, our expedition-minded friends were Arctic-bound and explored the incredible country of Greenland. This was such a remote location, filled with unparalleled and unexpected beauty.  From the icebergs to the mountains, the colorful sunsets and rainbows, the nearly perfect weather, fjords and glaciers, we couldn’t have asked for more eye-candy. Our brand new ship was filled with wonderful people taking care of us, science projects, lectures on culture and daily life in Greenland. Each day was filled with hiking, taking Zodiac rides through the Arctic waters, walking through towns, playing games onboard the ship, swimming in iceberg filled waters and so much more!

Then in August, we were off to France. From seeing the Eiffel Towel sparkle at night, to visiting the synagogue in Rouen, to biking to Giverny and seeing the famous water lilies this river cruise had highlights at every stop.  The river cruise experience was new to many of our travelers but now everyone knows why we love this method of traveling so much! We explored the picturesque town of Honfleur, visited the landing beaches at Normandy and tasted chocolates, cheeses and calvados, giving us memories that are sure to stay with us for a lifetime.

We have a slight break in travel now, giving us the chance to unpack from the summer, spend time with our families during the Jewish holidays and most importantly, gear up for our next amazing round of travel!  We are busy finalizing more trips for the 2023 calendar year and nothing thrills us more than being able to share a new trip and see who is going to be joining us.

Keep your eyes open for new trip announcements coming around the corner, but for now, we take a deep breath, smile, and say “Wow – what a summer!”

We’re traveling again!

Friday, March 18th, 2022

by Malori

Amazing Journeys is on the move and we couldn’t be happier!  It’s been a long road going nowhere, essentially.  It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and here at Amazing Journeys, we have done just that.  So here we are, two years later, stepping out into the world once more. While some borders are still closed, we have scheduled, re-scheduled and re-scheduled again, in order to provide you the trips to destinations you have waited your entire lives to experience.

Every day, country borders are reopening and protocols for entrance are becoming less cumbersome. As of today, the UK has lifted all Covid restrictions, dropping the lengthy forms necessary upon arrival.  The CDC has dropped the restrictions on cruising from a Level 3 to a Level 2 with no testing required upon return to the US from “closed loop” itineraries such as the Caribbean and Bahamas. New Zealand is reopening for tourism in the coming weeks. Aruba, Hawaii, Italy… they are all lifting restrictions and day-after-day, the outlook is getting better. This is all great news from an industry that has been stuck in a holding pattern for two years.

Still, there are contingency measures in place, should variants come into play. Pandemics, war, fuel prices, financial markets, diplomacy, earthquakes, tsunamis – our industry is a volatile one. We are taking baby steps to return to our “new normal.”  But just like we are experts in our field of travel planning and logistics, so are we adept in patience and being able to change plans at the drop of a hat. It’s nothing new… only this time the changes went on for two years and continue to do so.

We’re now ready to put the past behind us and venture out once more.  We’re excited that our first tour of 2022 just returned!  With Stacey leading our group of 24 amazing journeyers, we hit the road to lush tropical jungles, cloud forests and beaches of Costa Rica.  There, we zip- lined, hiked across hanging bridges, and enjoyed time at the thermal waters of the Arenal volcano-fed hot springs.  We saw indigenous wildlife including sloths and coati, whales and dolphins, butterflies and hummingbirds… oh, and the occasional lizard and huge spider in our rooms!  The group was so happy to be traveling again, seeing the sites and traveling with a fun group.

Our first cruise in over two years is happening in two weeks!  Can you hear the excitement in my writing?  We’re headed to Nassau in the Bahamas and Key West on the beautifully renovated Celebrity Millennium.  Still, just yesterday we had a change of itinerary, so like every industry, it is not in 100% “working order” just yet.  But our ports of Nassau and Key West will still be visited and we can’t wait to get this party started!

We just announced a cruise to the Panama Canal & Caribbean over New Years and in just 10 days, we had over 40 people sign up.  Our travelers are ready to hit the road.  And at Amazing Journeys, we couldn’t be happier!

Traveling into 2022

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021

by Malori

We’ve all had our Covid stories and how it has interrupted our lives for the past 21 months. Each day brings with it new challenges, new surprises and situations totally beyond our control. My life as the owner of a travel company is no different.

I’m in the happiness business.  I satisfy the wanderlust in people, introducing them to cultures outside of our own, provide an understanding of religions different than what we know, showing them the world’s most amazing sites, breathtaking beauty sometimes found in the farthest reaches of this earth and escorting them to cities, countries and continents across the globe while providing an ease of travel, sure to deliver memories as well as friendships to last a lifetime.

It’s deflating, day-by-day, to have all your cool planning, excited passengers and revenue depend upon a situation where you literally have no control. Admittedly, I like to be the pilot… to be in control… the type where others depend on me to lead them to faraway places, keep a watchful eye on a myriad of situations, keep them happy, comfortable, and secure, before returning them home safely.

My job description has changed over the course of the pandemic.  It was business owner and consisted of wearing many hats including my favorites: experience crafter and itinerary planner. Part of my new job is interpreting legal disclaimers, dispensing medical advice including testing necessary, deciphering in-country entrance and exit requirements including types of testing, whether antigen (laboratorial or proctored or at-home proctored or self-tested), PCR (NAAT test) and more. I have been asked to collect valid Covid vaccine cards and to determine whether they are counterfeit or real, and to decode serial numbers and types of vaccines according to how effective they are as well as the number given.  Some countries require forms which live on apps needed to be downloaded and information uploaded, which I have now become an IT Expert as well as the IT Help Desk to teach my travelers how to access this new technology. And mind you, there are different apps for each destination in the world… sometimes several!  I have become an proficient in QR codes and how far to stick a swab up one’s nose. My favorite new job is predicting which countries will open their borders and when.  Since our crystal ball has been broken since March 2020, it has become increasingly less predictable, but my educated guesses have been pretty much on target.

If you thought taking off your shoes and emptying your water bottle to get on an airplane was difficult, be prepared for the new reality.  Travel is not for the faint of heart.

As we head into the busiest travel season of the year, please keep in mind, when someone who works in my industry asks you to follow a rule, whether on a plane, train, cruise or hotel, we aren’t trying to make anyone’s life more difficult…we are only helping you to get to a destination you have selected. These protocols were put in place to make your journey that much more pleasant and to hopefully allow you to start traveling the globe safely, whatever obstacles stand in the way.

We wish you bon voyage and G-d-speed, whether you are traveling globally, over the meadow and through the woods or down the street to celebrate the New Year with friends and family. Cheers to a happy and healthy 2022!

AJ Fun Facts: Michele

Tuesday, August 31st, 2021

Did you know these travel fun facts about Michele, Amazing Journeys Operations Director?

1. My favorite travel year included zip lining, whitewater rafting, swimming with dolphins and a climb to the top of Machu Picchu.
2. I always try the local cocktail and then try making them at home.

3. I love finding waterfalls.

4. I don’t buy souvenirs for my daughter but find an age appropriate book about the area so she can learn about new places and be inspired to travel.

5. Can’t go away even for a weekend without first printing my packing list.