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

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!

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.

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!

Amazing Journeys thanks you, our community, for supporting us!

This is our small business, Amazing Journeys, a hard-working team who is thrilled to make your vacation dreams come true. We are a family business who have been providing amazing vacations for nearly 25 years. We are not a mega corporation or a call center. We are a small team who works hard to create amazing journeys for you.

We are experts in our field and we use our decades of expertise to create amazing vacations and provide expert support all along the way. Our decades of knowledge, connections in the industry and finger on the pulse of the market are only some of the things that keep our small business at the top of our game.

When you make the decision to travel with us, you are not only signing up for the trip of a lifetime, but you can do so knowing that you have the best in the business with you all along the way. By traveling with Amazing Journeys, you are supporting a small business and for that, we thank you!

When is the last time you did something for the first time?  Maybe you tasted a new food, tried your hand at a new skill, went to a new country or made a new friend.

Travel can be about about pushing your limits, getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new.  When we craft our amazing journeys, we include tours so you can learn the history and culture of the destination you are visiting, but we also incorporate experiential components so you can really get in there and have fun!

We’ve offered experiences like cooking classes in Greece, salsa lessons in Argentina, cave exploring in Iceland, farm visits in Ireland, sushi making in Japan, kayaking in Croatia, ziplining in Costa Rica and so much more!

It may even be your first time traveling with a group!  But no worries – everyone was a first-timer on their first trip.  Our trips not only offer the opportunity to go to new destinations but also to make new friends and share new experiences.

So whether you are joining us on our first ever trip to Mongolia, experiencing an African safari for the first time or counting down to the New Year with new friends, the possibilities are endless.

So what’s the next new thing you want to do??

If you are looking for a way to stretch your travel budget, you might consider sharing a room on your next vacation. If you’ve already got a friend who wants to share, just pick your trip, sign up for twin occupancy and bring the cost down for your upcoming adventure!

Don’t have a friend who is looking to take the same trip as you? No worries! Just send us an email letting us know which trip you want a roommate for and we are happy to put you in touch with others who may have expressed interest in the same trip so that you can discuss the options together.

Check out all of the amazing trips we currently have available on the Trips page of our website and take a look at our Sneak Peek page to see what is on the horizon. Sign yourself up to be on the Interest List for trips that have not yet been launched so you are the first to hear when they are announced.

We can’t wait to see which trip you will pick next!

The fine print:
Please note – Amazing Journeys takes no responsibility for roommate matching and is unable to step in to settle disputes or disagreements that may arise. When signing up for twin occupancy, should one of the roommates cancel their reservation before the trip, the remaining traveling roommate will assume the cost of a single supplement. Standard cancellation terms apply to any cancellation. Please understand the list of those looking for a roommate may be very limited.

You’ve been asking and we’ve been listening – we have travel opportunities for everyone!

Amazing Journeys is proud to be the company that Jewish singles turn to when they want a truly unique way to embrace their wanderlust, but did you know that we have different categories that cater to many groups of travelers? So no matter which part of the planet has piqued your curiosity, there is a trip for you!

Jewish Singles
For nearly 25 years, Amazing Journeys has offered travel options to Jewish Single travelers. With hundreds of trips to destinations around the world, our travelers have been to all seven continents experiencing incredible culture, fascinating history, culinary treats, unbelievable wildlife, inspiring architecture and jaw-dropping scenery, all while making lasting friendships. Our trips for Jewish Singles are either open to all ages or have a specific age range.  With over a dozen trips offered each year, there is bound to be a destination that is calling your name.

Active Travelers
If you are the type of person that wants to hike, bike, kayak, snorkel, sail or trek, our Active trips have been built with you in mind! We combine the perfect amount of sightseeing and local experiences with activities that will get you moving and allow you to see a country from a different perspective. These trips are designed to be more active than a traditional tour, meaning you enjoy an energizing level of activity while on tour.

Couples
People have been asking us for years to offer couples trips and we’re happy to now be able to say “yes!”  Married or partnered, these trips are open to couples of all ages with shared rooms to amazing destinations.

Mother/Daughter – Aunt/Niece Trip
We are thrilled to be offering our first multi-generational trip for Ladies!  So grab your daughter, your niece, your mom, your aunt – and join us as we take on the world.  Enjoy that AJ style you know and love and come away with shared memories for years to come.

Jewish Heritage
From Spain and Portugal to sailing down the Danube River and from Poland to Argentina, there is so much Jewish heritage and history to unpack.  Some of our most-loved trips explore countries through a Jewish lens.  So yes, you’ll see all of the amazing things to see in these parts of the world, but you’ll also learn our special, shared history on these unique trips.

Take a look at our Sneak Peek page to see what is on the horizon and check out all of the amazing trips we currently have available on the Trips page of our website. Sign yourself up to be on the Interest List for trips that have not yet been launched so you are the first to hear when they are announced.

We can’t wait to see which trip you will pick next!

When people ask me where my favorite trip has been, I have a hard time answering. Each location has so many highlights and I could always do more exploring in a new city or country, but the destination that is at the top of my list right now is the Galapagos. I’m lucky to have traveled to the Galapagos Islands last year with a group of Amazing Journeys travelers and it was truly amazing. It was such a unique destination with surprises along the way and I wanted to share some of my favorite aspects of the experience.

Wildlife – If you are a wildlife lover, the Galapagos Islands absolutely needs to be at the top of your “must travel” list! From marine iguanas to sea turtles to blue footed boobies to sea lions, there are incredible animals at every turn. Many of these species can only be found in the Galapagos and seeing them in their natural environment is just incredible.

Colors – As a photographer, the colors of the Galapagos Islands had my camera working overtime! I couldn’t get enough of the vibrant greens of the plants on land, the crystal clear blue waters, the contrast of the orange Sally Lightfoot crab against the stark black lava rocks and the wash of colors that were changing by the minute with each amazing sunset.

Activity level – Every day in the Galapagos is different – you could be snorkeling one day, taking a zodiac ride the next, kayaking, hiking or swimming. I love that you can be as active as you want on an itinerary like this, but that you can also enjoy everything that the islands has to offer from the comfort of the ship, on land or riding in a panga. Everyone in our group was able to make their experience exactly what they wanted and needed.

Remoteness – Imagine walking onto a quite beach with only the sounds of the water, the animals and your friends surrounding you – no lines, no traffic, no commotion. The Galapagos Islands are very restricted in the amount of visitors that come at one time, so as you are exploring, you sometimes feel like the only person in the world.

Cruising experience – Cruising is the only way I would want to explore the Galapagos Islands. Getting to sail from island to island makes the experience not only enjoyable and relaxing but allows you to maximize your time. You may explore one island in the morning, come back onboard for lunch and be in a different location in the afternoon. The expedition ship has a small number of passengers but boasts a delicious restaurant, casual places to relax, a dedicated learning space and experts that travel with you.

I could go on and on, but I guess I will stop here. If you’ve ever considered a visit to the Galapagos Islands, I encourage you to check it out! And if you’re considering it in the near future, I highly (highly) encourage you to come with us on the amazing journey to Ecuador and the Galapagos in December. Can you imagine ringing in the new year under the star covered sky while floating in between islands of the Galapagos? Pretty cool, huh? Whether you’re an animal lover, a water sports enthusiast, a photographer, a lover of cultures, someone who is looking for a unique way to celebrate New Year’s, 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!

Erin

People often ask my what my favorite travel destination is and I have a hard time answering.  Among my favorites are Vietnam, Peru, and France, but the country that I always come back to is Morocco.  I’m lucky to have traveled to Morocco once in college and have since escorted two groups of Amazing Journeys travelers.  And guess what – I just fall in love with it more and more every time.  I want to share why with you, but while pulling pictures for this email I had such a hard time narrowing it down. Why 6 reasons?  I tried to have my Top 5 but I just couldn’t narrow it down.  And I got lost deciding which of our photos to share with you.  Should I include the bright blue door or the intricate mosaic work?  Should I include an intricate keyhole doorway or detailed golden doors?  The beauty of sand dunes across the desert or the shock of tents with chandeliers inside?  There are just so many amazing things around every corner!

Colors – Morocco is filled with colors of the landscape (blue skies, orange sand dunes, green date trees), colors of buildings (bright aqua doors, intricate green and yellow mosaic walls and floors, the iconic blue of the Majorelle gardens), and beautiful Moroccan goods (richly colored rugs, hand-painted pottery, brightly-dyed leather slippers).  The colors of Morocco are anything but neutral, and I’m here for it!  It’s a feast for the eyes and truly a photographer’s dream.

Grandeur – Archways taller than houses and grand entry gates, towering brass doors, palaces covered in mosaics – this country is filled with incredible craftsmanship and grandeur.

Food – Let’s be honest, who doesn’t experience a new country through their food?  If you’ve never had tagine, you are in for a treat.  Cooked over an open fire in a large clay dish with a pointed lid, tagine looks just as beautiful as it tastes.  Spiced vegetables, flavorful olives and warm mint tea to welcome visitors are just some of the highlights.  But my personal favorite?  For breakfast, there are these small, squarish crepes with lots of layers called msemen.  You can eat them with ham or syrup or peel them apart and eat them on their own and boy are they delicious.
Camping/Glamping – Okay, hear me out on this one.  We take a jeep ride far out into the desert when out of nowhere, a small group of tents comes into sight – just like a mirage.  When we get there and go inside our tent, you will discover that they have king-sized beds, gorgeous lights from the ceiling, running water (yes, a shower in each “tent”), and electricity (yes, you can charge your cell phone).  They are amazing!  And in the middle of nowhere.  We will share a delicious meal prepared by the fantastic team who works there, and we will share in a drum circle at night.  I guarantee everyone will be up dancing by the end.  And when we wake up the next morning?  Yep, we get to ride camels across the sand dunes!  It’s a dream come true.

Shopping – I don’t typically shop much when I travel but when I come back from Morocco by bags are bursting at the seams.  Hand-painted pottery, brass light fixtures and teapots, vintage rugs, tapestries, colorful babouche (leather slippers) and so many other beautiful, unique, hand-made goods.  Even if you’re not a shopper, you will have fun wandering the aisles of the souk, checking out all of the fun things to see.  It’s quite an experience.