Jewish History – there is so much Jewish history in Morocco.  Did you know that Jews began immigrating to the region nearly 2000 years ago?  Because of that, there are fascinating synagogues and history all over the country.  From a synagogue in Casablanca that operates today to a small one in Fes that dates back to the 17 century with a subterranean mikveh and a blue and white mosaic-covered synagogue in Marrakech, they are all so different and wonderful.  We visit a cemetery which looks unlike any cemetery I’ve ever seen before.  And throughout the trip, we learn about how Jews have operated in Moroccan society and government through to the modern day.  Wherever we travel in the world, visiting the local synagogues and communities are always some of our most memorable visits.

I could go on and on – as I’m sure you can tell – but alas, I will stop here.  If you’ve never considered a visit to Morocco, I encourage you to check it out. And if you’re considering it, I highly (highly) encourage you to come with us on the amazing journey to Morocco in May.  Whether you’re a foodie, an art-enthusiast, a photographer, a lover of cultures, a shopper, or any other type of traveler, you are in for an experience of a lifetime.  To see some of the things we’ll be seeing and doing on our trip, click here to watch a little video we’ve put together for you.

We hope to see you soon in this amazing part of the world!

Stacey

At Amazing Journeys, we love cruising for so many reasons! But if we have to narrow it down to our top five, here is what we can share:

1. Unpack once
Imagine going on a one or two week vacation but only having to unpack one time. On a cruise, that is just what happens! Your hotel floats from port to port so no need to pack up to move to the next city.

2. Cover more ground
Cruising is the perfect way to sample a region. Visit multiple countries in one trip and see the highlights.

3. Everything is all in one place
Not sure where to eat dinner? Looking for a show? Hoping to squeeze in a workout? On a cruise, everything is right at your fingertips.

4. Travel at night and maximize your touring hours
How cool is it to go to sleep in one country and wake up in a new destination? On a cruise, once you fly into the starting city, getting from place to place is taken care of and traveling hours are often at night so you can do the most in each port.

5. Shore excursion options
Want to learn the history of a city? How about hoping on a bike to explore the architecture? Or try your hand at cooking a local delicacy? Shore excursion options give you the choice of how you spend your days in each destination.

Our Amazing Journeys family is growing and we are excited to share the team with you! No matter where you travel with us in the world, one of our amazing team members will be with you along the way!

And yes, a bigger staff means more amazing journeys! Keep an eye out for new trip announcements coming soon!

Click here to learn more about our crew!

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)

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.

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!

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!

No doubt, you’re ready to leave your own borders and get out in the world once more. While we are not recommending travel at this time, as you can see by the list of country requirements below that some countries are beginning to open, but still risky, cumbersome and complicated.

Below is a list of countries and what they are requiring of US and Canadian citizens at this time including opening of borders, entry requirements and restrictions. Please note, this update is changing daily and it’s best to check with local embassies for countries to which you may travel and also COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination | CDC,  the U.S. Embassy or Canadian Government and your preferred airline before finalizing travel plans.

Caribbean/Mexico
Turks & Caicos: Open to Canadians and Americans with restrictions. Due to a rise in cases, a curfew is now imposed on Grand Turk from 8pm to 5am (due to be updated January 27, 2021).
Antigua: Open to Canadians and Americans with restrictions. All travelers arriving by air must have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 7 days of their flight (not required for children under 12 years of age). Fill out an online health form. All arriving passengers will be monitored for Covid-19 for periods of up to 14 days. Curfew in effect from 11pm to 5am.
Mexico: Open to Canadians and Americans with no restrictions.

Latin America
Costa Rica: Open to Canadians and Americans with restrictions. You must have PCR testing before returning home to the U.S. or Canada.
Ecuador/Galapagos: Open to Canadians and Americans with restrictions. As of January 11, 2021, antigen rapid test can be performed on a random basis to passengers arriving into Quito or Guayaquil.

Europe
Montenegro: Open to Canadians and Americans as of January 12, 2021. No test required.
Turkey: Open to Canadians and Americans with restrictions. International passengers age 6 years and older traveling to Turkey are required to have taken a Covid-19 PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours prior to their flight. Passengers must submit their test results to the airline at the time of check-in. Borders open to all travelers with temperature check upon arrival. This requirement will remain in effect until March 1, 2021.
Croatia: Open to Canadians and Americans. Entry allowed with a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours. Travelers also have the option of being tested upon entry at their own expense, but they must self-isolate until test results confirmed. Travelers must also prove they are traveling for urgent personal/family reasons, business reasons or other economic interest (Tourism is considered to be an economic interest).

Africa
Egypt: Open to Canadians and Americans with restrictions. All travelers must present a medical certificate issued 72 hours before entry on arrival proving they are not infected with Covid-19. Children under 6 years of age are exempt from this requirement. Travelers departing from Japan, China, Thailand, North America, South America and Canada, as well as London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle and Frankfurt airports, will be permitted to enter with a negative Covid-19 test no older than 96 hours. Tourists must hold a valid travel insurance to cover medical expenses in Egypt. Health checks may take place at the airport for all travelers entering Egypt.

Important Note for Returning U.S./Canada Passengers
U.S.: All U.S. passengers over the age of 2 years must provide one of the following before boarding their flight back home:
-A negative Covid-19 test result (PCR or Antigen) taken within 72 hours prior.
-Documentation of having recovered from Covid-19 and approved to travel by a doctor.
Canada: All Canadian passengers over the age of 5 years must provide a negative Covid-19 test result (PCR or LAMP) taken within the 72 hours prior.

Please review the full order for the U.S. on the CDC’s website here. Canada issued a similar order earlier this month. Read here.

Because of a new variant, the US has imposed restrictions on non-US citizens entering the US from South Africa and the border-free Schengen zone which include 26 European countries. They include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

There is one European cruise line who is requiring all passengers have a COVID vaccine prior to boarding. You may find more of this in the future.

Airlines, cruise lines and other modes of transportation may require a ‘Travel Passport” or Vaccine Passport” in order to board your flight, cruise, etc.  Read more about it in the following article. COVID in US: What ‘vaccine passports’ mean for your summer vacation.

Travel will be safer in the near future and we at Amazing Journeys are ready for it.  But until it is safe to do so, you will find us at home, planning opportunities of a lifetime!

Country requirements provided by Kensington Tours

Here it is, the week of New Year’s and I am at home. I’m usually working at “light-speed” finalizing logistics, programs, wrapping gifts and packing for myself and 70 others. So now I am getting a taste of just what it is that most people do over the holiday weekends of Christmas and New Years…going for walks in the snow, watching lots of movies, eating Chinese food, playing games and catching up with friends via Facetime or Zoom.  It’s a bit surreal for me and seems really strange for me to be here.

You see, it has been an Amazing Journeys tradition since 2002 to be away on a cruise for the New Year’s holiday.  It goes without saying, we are missing this once-a-year opportunity to sail into the new year with you, all of our friends. The planning, the excitement, the anticipation… it’s all part of a normal December for me and the rest of the team here at AJ.  Over the past nearly 20 years, we have traveled to close to home places such as the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal and Hawaii, and some exotic locales such as South America, India, the UAE, and Asia during this time of year.  It’s provided memories that are still fresh in our minds, and helps to get us through these times of this “travel black-out” we’re all a part of.

While on our New Year’s Eve cruises, we always share New Year’s traditions from the countries we are traveling.  Since we are unable to travel around the world, at least we can celebrate as though we’re traveling with our INTERNATIONAL NEW YEAR’S FUN FACTS:

NEW ZEALAND: Gisborne is 308.4 miles west of the International Date Line and thus is the first major city to see the beginning of the New Year (however it is Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati that is the first “city” in the world to see the first sun rise for the year, and Amazing Journeys was there on New Year’s Eve 2002/2003).

LATIN COUNTRIES INCLUDING SPAIN, MEXICO, BRAZIL, COLUMBIA, ARGENTINA, CHILE AND OTHERS: Residents of Latin American countries down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown, while making a wish with each one. On New Year’s Eve, women who want to find love in the New Year wear red underwear, or yellow if they want money. Other traditions include sweeping the dirt out and taking luggage outside as a symbol of future trips. (Side note – some of our travelers in Chile last year bought me yellow underwear for prosperity in 2020 – it didn’t work).  (And another side note – I will be walking around the block with my suitcase on New Year’s Day with hopes of future travel and I hope all of you will join me on this one!).

TAIWAN: The end of the year is celebrated with concerts held in all major cities.  Recently, the nation has used higher technology to communicate among the cities via video, enabling the cities to count down together.

SOUTH AFRICA: In downtown Jo-burg, locals throw old appliances out the window

FINLAND: It’s a longtime Finnish tradition to predict the coming year by casting molten tin into a container of water, and then interpreting the shape the metal takes after hardening.

PANAMA: Effigies of well-known people—called muñecos—are traditionally burned in New Year’s bonfires in Panama. The effigies represent the old year; immolating them is meant to drive off evil spirits for a fresh New Year’s start.

JAPAN: Many Japanese decorate their house with a New Year’s wreath made from rice straw and a lucky talisman and hang it on the door.  The tradition on December 31^st is to eat toshikoshu soba – their long noodles symbolize a longevity and wealth.  They listen to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony which is commonly associated with New Years in Japan.  At midnight, the New Year is welcomed with 108 bell chimes in alignment with the Buddhist belief that this brings cleanness. It’s also considered good to be smiling going into the New Year as it supposedly brings good luck.

SWITZERLAND: Ever hear of dropping a dollop of cream on the floor to ring in the new year with good luck, wealth and peace? Well that’s what some do in Switzerland — it’s thought to bring a year of abundance. Some Swiss also observe the tradition of dressing up in costumes to invoke good spirits and chase evil energies.

PORTUGAL: In the northern parts of Portugal, children traditionally sing carols as they visit houses where they are given coins and treats. The songs they sing are called janeiros and are said to bring good luck.

DENMARK: Danes ring in the New Year by hurling old plates and glasses… against the doors of friends’ and relatives’ houses. They also stand on chairs and then jump off them together at midnight. Leaping into January is supposed to banish bad spirits and bring good luck.

Although we’ll miss traveling with you during the New Year, we hope you’ll celebrate in grand style, in whatever tradition you choose.  If you’re home alone, dance like nobody’s watching.  That’s what I’ll be doing –wait, that’s what I always do even when traveling!  Just have a great time!

Wishing you a New Year filled with health and happiness and dream of the day we will traveling together again.