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Worldwide bucket-list tours & cruises

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Amazon River cruise from Brazil to Peru

March 2, 2013 by Linda May Leave a Comment

If a trip to the Amazon is on your bucket list, then a great way to experience it is on the river of course.

One of the best ways is on a small ship and I was fortunate enough to be on the Sea Dream II. They would deploy their zodiacs which were stored at the bow and load us in for our daily adventures. Swimming in the Amazon – why yes you can! Not in the muddy waters but in the black water tributaries that were found everywhere as we motored along. One day we were able to get into the water with the pink dolphins (who are grey when they are born but turn pink as they age) and they were just as curious about us as we were thrilled to see them.

We visited a few villages along the way and met the locals who looked happy and healthy even though they were living in such remote places only accessible by boats. Their whole lives are based around the river and it was fascinating to see how they lived. They have to build their homes on stilts due to the rising water levels. We were invited into the home of an elderly midwife who gave us an acai berry drink, lovingly mixed with sugar (and ants!), which we drank to show our gratitude.

A trip to Monkey Island had us all laughing like little children when the squirrel monkeys would dive from the trees onto us, landing on our heads or shoulders and jumping from one person to the other.[read more=”Read More” less=”Read Less”] The zodiacs were also used to take us out on expeditions in the jungle and the four guides that we had along with us were so informative and passionate about the Amazonian area, made us appreciate all the different species we were able to see.

During the day, the guides were able to spot birds, reptiles and animals embedded in the foliage that had us straining our eyes to focus on. I was thankful for a new camera purchase that had a great zoom lens to capture many pictures including the one of a sloth hanging out in the trees. One day we paddled through the reeds to completely immerse ourselves with surrounding vines and were treated to sounds like being at a symphony with the instruments consisting of birds chirping, monkeys squealing and frogs croaking – it was breathtaking.

We were lucky on the night expeditions as the full moon illuminated the zodiacs through the darkness where flashlights would light up the eerie eyeballs of the caimans in the water. The guides were fearless of the river and many times would thrust their hand into it and pull up a snake, frog and even a small caiman for us to photograph.

As we neared the end of our voyage, an unforgettable day was celebrated as we had breakfast in Brazil, lunch in Columbia and dinner in Peru. Disembarking in Inquitos, we were very sad to say goodbye to the hardworking staff plus the new friends that we shared many amazing adventures with. I’ve made a quick video of some of the highlights – hope you enjoy.

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Filed Under: Amazon River, River Cruises, River Cruising, Sea Dream

France River cruise on the Seine

October 10, 2012 by Linda May Leave a Comment

I loved my river cruise on the Seine, it was so diverse from the beauty of Claude Monet’s place in Giverny to the emotions felt in Normandy. This trip should be on every ones bucket list !

Plus starting and finishing in Paris was also a highlight – to see the Eiffel Tower come to life before your eyes is something you won’t forget.

Filed Under: Avalon Waterways, Cruises, Europe, River Cruises, River Cruising, Seine River

Don’t forget your Travel Insurance!

You know that old saying "Don't leave home without it" but in this case, its travel insurance. Many people don't realize that they are not covered by their provincial or state health plans when travelling out of the country. I am able to provide quotes for both Canadian and US residents as long as you contact me before you depart. Please don't forget as the cost is minimal compared to the cost if something happens.

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Linda (May) Dinsmore from Balcony Travel specializes in bucket-list destinations around the world. For just rivercruises, visit @rivercruiselady .⚓️.

How can you possibly make Christmas decorations ev How can you possibly make Christmas decorations even better?  With a penguin of course!! Loving my new addition to the yard ❣️🐧 
#penguin #christmas #decoration #outdoorlights
Or Captain speaking! 😉 Or Captain speaking! 😉
Doing more Covid cleaning & found this treasure bu Doing more Covid cleaning & found this treasure buried in the very back of the closet - I actually don’t even remember playing it but guess what I’m going to be doing today 😉 
⚓️ #balconytravel #gameday #natgeo #nationalgeographic #natgeotravel #boardgames #30yearsold #closetcleanout #canyouanswer #cardquestions
Part two post of 2 day staycation in Beautiful BC Part two post of 2 day staycation in Beautiful BC & first time fishing experience. Stayed near the stunning @sonoraresort & fished in the Discovery Islands. Previous post has all the fishing pics ❣️🎣🐟⚓️ 
#balconytravel #staycation #explorebc #fishing #salmon #adventure #wildlife #bear #eagles #dear #britishcolumbia #canada #floatplane #sonora #virtuosotravel #wanderlist
Did a 2 day staycation in Beautiful BC & first tim Did a 2 day staycation in Beautiful BC & first time fishing experience that went so well, maybe will become my new specialization! 😉 Stayed near the stunning @sonoraresort & fished in the Discovery Islands. Next post has all the amazing wildlife pics ❣️🎣🐟⚓️ 
#balconytravel #staycation #explorebc #fishing #salmon #adventure #britishcolumbia #canada #floatplane #sonora #virtuosotravel #wanderlist
Today would have been the day I was scheduled to v Today would have been the day I was scheduled to visit the Valley of the Kings on my Egypt trip but... will have to settle on a virtual trip of it for now 🤓 🌍 #balconytravel #traveldreaming #willgetthereoneday #staysafe
Day 1 of cleaning home office ... Does anyone else Day 1 of cleaning home office ...
Does anyone else save bizarre items from their travels ?  Apparently I save boarding passes! 😆 ⚓️ #balconytravel #covidcleaning #homeoffice #boardingpasses #travelhoarder #travelagain #oneday
Little did I know that my last travel throwback po Little did I know that my last travel throwback post would be right before the world changed. The past 10 days has been the most stressful, sleep deprived and saddest that I’ve ever been through. Stressful in spending hours on multiple phones & sites helping my clients especially those trying to get home early before flights stopped which caused many sleepless nights. But mostly sad as I’ve cried along with my colleagues whose clients dream wedding was cancelled or whose family members couldn’t make it to a funeral service or take that special trip that they saved years for. My heart goes out to all the healthcare workers who are tirelessly helping the sick & the grocery store clerks putting up with line ups & selfish hoarders plus everyone worrying about losing their jobs. Hats off to first responders & other essential service industry workers who continue to do their job throughout all of this. This video made me think how all of us must feel right now & have to give big thanks to those stepping up to help others in need & I’m very grateful for my TPI Travel family whose twice daily live update meetings have helped many of us advisors stay off the ledge.  One day we’ll be able to travel again and until then, stay safe ❣️
Here is a picture of me when I started in the trav Here is a picture of me when I started in the travel industry 35 years ago in 1985. The owner of our agency was a woman who inspired me to dream that I too could run my own travel business one day. Twelve years ago that dream came true & I am so grateful everyday but even more so today on #internationalwomensday and want to salute all the hardworking women out there & wish that your dreams also become a realization one day❣️ ⚓️ #balconytravel #eachforequal #woman #womeninbusiness #womensupportingwomen #strongwomen #smallbusiness #travel #womenempowerment
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Meet Linda

Linda May Dinsmore

  Thanks for visiting and allow me introduce myself. … Read More...

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CTCLogo Elite Cruise Counsellor Luxury Cruise Specialist

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linda@balconytravel.com

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