Archive for 2025

Here at Amazing Journeys, we’re lucky 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. Check out the most recent entry (at the top) or search by your preferred criteria. Consider it motivation for your next embarkation.

Destination Spotlight: Sarajevo

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

Let us take you on a ride and show you some unique destinations around the world! In our new series, Destination Spotlight, we’ll highlight some amazing locations and show you exactly why they deserve a spot on your travel list!

Let’s spotlight Sarajevo, Bosnia!

Things we love about Sarajevo:

It has a fascinating Jewish history
Sarajevo’s Jewish community dates back to 1565, when Sephardic Jews arrived after fleeing Spain. Under Ottoman rule, the predominantly Muslim city welcomed them warmly, and by 1577 had established a vibrant Jewish quarter – El Cortijo, “the courtyard” – with its own synagogue near the main market. Today, synagogues, cathedrals, and mosques stand side by side, reflecting the coexistence that earned Sarajevo its nickname: The Jerusalem of Europe.

Its bazaar feels frozen in time
Sip strong Bosnian coffee, shop for hand-crafted copper goods, and snack on delicious ćevapi from stalls that have perfected their recipes over generations while exploring the Baščaršija market the heart of old Sarajevo.

There’s a powerful and moving recent history
From the spot where WWI began to stories of resilience during the 1990s siege, Sarajevo shares its history with honesty, warmth, and unforgettable stories. Bosnia was part of the former Yugoslovia for most of the 20th century. Sites like the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum and the “Sarajevo Roses” offer meaningful insight into the city’s strength and fight for independence.

The cable cars and mountain views
Hop on the Trebević cable car for a quick glide to panoramic views and the famous Olympic bobsled track – now a colorful open-air graffiti gallery. Unlike many capitals, Sarajevo sits in a lush valley surrounded by green mountains.

The hospitality wins everyone over
Bosnians are famously warm and welcoming. Add in hearty comfort food, local handicrafts, and a relaxed culture, and it’s easy to see why travelers rank it among their favorite destinations.

Amazing Journeys will be visiting Sarajevo in 2026 on our Exploring the Balkans: Albania, Montenegro & Bosnia tours! We are offering two departures with the exact same itinerary, so if you want to see what Sarajevo (and other incredible destinations) is all about, click here to register:

June 4-14, 2026
Click here for June trip details

May 28 – June 7, 2026
Click here for May trip details

Tags: Amazing Journeys, Bosnia, bucket list, Destination Spotlight, sarajevo, Travel, travel list
Posted in Blog, General, Travel Tips, Trips | Comments Off on Destination Spotlight: Sarajevo

Europe’s New Entry/Exit System

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

Europe’s New Entry/Exit System: What Travelers Should Know

Big changes are coming to Europe’s borders! Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union will introduce a new Entry/Exit System (EES) – a digital way to record travelers entering and leaving 29 European countries.

That means no more passport stamps – instead, your entry and exit will be logged electronically.

What is the EES?

The EES replaces manual passport stamping with a quick digital check. When you arrive, border officers (or self-service kiosks) will scan your passport, take your photo, and collect your fingerprints. Your info is stored securely and used to track how long you stay which helps enforce the 90 days in any 180-day period rule.

Where it applies:

EES will cover most of Europe’s popular destinations, including: France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, Portugal, and more, plus non-EU Schengen members like Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. (Ireland and Cyprus are not included – they’ll keep using traditional passport stamps).

When does it start?

The system went live on October 12, 2025 and will gradually roll out across Europe over the following months. By April 10, 2026, it should be fully up and running everywhere. So, if you’re traveling to Europe in late 2025 or beyond, chances are you’ll go through the new process.

Who needs to register:

You’ll be registered automatically if you’re a non-EU traveler visiting for a short stay (up to 90 days). This includes travelers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, and countries that require a short-stay visa.

What to expect at the border:

At your first EES entry, plan for a few extra minutes – your details will be recorded for the first time. After that, crossings will be faster! During the rollout, lines might move slower than usual, so give yourself extra time when arriving or departing.

What you need to do:

The good news is that there is no pre-registration needed – it happens automatically! Just bring a valid (preferably biometric) passport and keep track of your days to stay within the 90-day rule.

Bottom line:

Europe’s new EES system is designed to make travel more secure and efficient. The first trip might take a few extra minutes, but future entries should be smoother – letting you focus on what really matters: your next adventure!

Tags: Amazing Journeys, EES, Europe, passport, schengen, Travel
Posted in Blog, General, Travel Tips, Trips | Comments Off on Europe’s New Entry/Exit System

Giving back

Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

When we travel, it’s not just about the sights we see or the food we try – it’s also about the people we meet along the way. That’s why we create the opportunity on some Amazing Journeys trips to spend time in local schools, orphanages, or villages around the world. These visits give us a chance to connect with communities in a meaningful way, and they often end up being some of the most memorable moments of the journey.

We also love bringing donations with us – things like clothes, books, and school supplies. They may seem like small items, but they can make a big difference. Watching kids light up when they get their own notebook or a new set of crayons is something our travelers never forget. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest gifts are the most powerful.

These experiences add so much heart to our adventures. They remind us that travel isn’t only about where you go, but also about the connections you create and the kindness you share. Every time we give back in this way, it deepens our connection to the places we visit and the people who welcome us. For us, that’s one thing that makes travel truly special.

Tags: Amazing Journeys, donation, giving back, Travel
Posted in Blog, General, Trips | Comments Off on Giving back

When you take pictures for other people

Wednesday, July 16th, 2025

We’ve all been there – we have the perfect picture in mind and we hold up our camera to snap the shot. Then, someone comes from behind you and asks if you want to be in the picture? Sure, you think, and hand the camera over. You stand where you want the picture to be taken, they take the shot and hand back the camera and to your horror, they have taken a truly terrible picture! Yes, you are in the shot, but the beautiful thing that you wanted to be captured with has been cropped out, is blurry or is not even visible… Example A in the picture above. I stood in line to have my picture taken at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah and someone offered to take my picture and when they handed the camera back, the top third of the arch is gone! Examples of other badly cropped pictures follow:

Now I know that not everyone has an “eye for photography”, but I implore you, if you are going to ask someone to hand over their camera, at least take a look at what they want to take a picture of and try not to cut it out – they can always do some strategic cropping later (if necessary), but if you cut off the top of the Eiffel Tower or the top dome of the Taj Mahal, there is nothing that they can do after the fact to make the picture whole again.

So next time you offer to take a picture for someone, ask them what they want in the picture, or – just take a deep breath, take a steady picture that doesn’t cut off any building tops or subjects of interest, take the picture you think they wanted and then ask them if you got the right shot.

Want to take some great pictures? Here are some tips:

1. Do not zoom in on someone else’s camera! No matter how much you like to zoom in on your own pictures, take in the full image and allow the camera owner to do their own zooming.

2. Take a second and allow anyone crossing in front of you to get out of the frame. Or take one step to the left or right to get a clearer shot without anyone in the way.

3. Hold the camera at least at eye height, if not higher. Higher camera angles are universally more flattering, so do not hold the camera at your chest and aim up. The person who is trusting you to take their picture will like the picture so much more if the camera is aiming down a bit – believe me!

Now get out there – take pictures of your friends with their cameras, but do it the right way so they love the memory you have captured!

Tags: Amazing Journeys, photo tips, photography, Travel, travel photos
Posted in Blog, General, Trips | Comments Off on When you take pictures for other people