The incomparable beauty of the enchanting Isle of Capri.

Travel of America's Jim Petzel offers some "step-by-step" advice on how you can make the most of your European explorations...

One of the things I absolutely love to do when I visit Europe is to take long walks along the many beautiful boulevards that make the Old World so unique and special. My strolls are usually unplanned, and I just let my feet point me in the right direction.

    What I've discovered from my experiences is that no matter what direction I choose or which streets I decide to walk down, I can't possibly make a wrong turn. That's because in Europe every street is a window into the life of the community that lives and works there.

    I've come across narrow, twisted avenidas where I've had the opportunity to watch craftsmen restore centuries-old masterpieces, and I've sauntered past school yards filled with children at play, their laughter echoing off the stone walls. Climbing the narrow stairway to the top of Monte Tiberio on the island of Capri to view the ruins of the Roman Emperor Tiberius' villa, a tiny restaurant with just three or four small outdoor tables crossed my path. I will never forget the incredible views of the cliffs below and glittering waters of the Mediterranean beyond as I dined in the morning sunlight on a simple lunch of spaghetti alle vongole and a glass of home-made wine.

    You can't possibly make a wrong turn either when you discover the Europe of your dreams this year on a 10- to 35-day voyage of a lifetime with Holland America Line. There's never been a more exciting time to explore the continent's many faces - from the broad avenues and gilded palaces of Peter the Great's spectacular St. Petersburg to Rome's grand Colosseum and Forum.

    I do hope that you choose to join us on one of these very special voyages with Holland America. To learn more about these spectacular cruises and values, simply click here to view our Holland America online Europe brochure.

As one of Oceania Cruises top-selling travel partners and a founding member of the line’s prestigious Connoisseur’s Club of elite travel agency partners, Travel of America was honored recently to attend a special “reveal” in Beverly Hills for the cruise line’s exciting new ship, Marina, currently under construction in Genoa, Italy and slated to sail her inaugural voyage in January 2011. Attending the gala event were Pat Boskovic, Senior Cruise and Tour Specialist; Jim Petzel, VP, Marketing; and President & CEO, Richard Molander.

    In conceptualizing the new Marina, the team at Oceania took as their inspiration today’s concept of ‘home’ being a sanctuary and nesting place, a refuge where friends and family come together to relax, re-charge and renew.

    Indeed, aboard Marina comfort has been elevated to new heights with the addition of furnishings in the owner’s suite from the Ralph Lauren Home Collection, while the prestigious New York design firm, Dakota Jackson, has been selected to furnish the Vista and Oceania suites. Guests in other stateroom categories will enjoy larger, more luxurious accommodations with the finest high-end home furnishings.

   While Marina is larger than Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, and she carries almost double the number of guests – 1,258 – Travel of America Customers can rest assured that the fabulous cruise experience they enjoyed on the other ships will not be compromised aboard Marina.

    As Chairman and CEO, Frank Del Rio, explained, “There is an 80% increase in passenger capacity on Marina, but a 120% increase in the size of the ship, so the size makes for a more comfortable ship. The guest-to-space ratio is much higher on Marina than on our existing vessels.” Additionally, Frank pointed out that the crew-to-passenger ratio on board Marina has also been significantly increased.

    With all that comfort on board to create a memorable cruise, Oceania has also taken a thoughtful approach to dining on Marina – equally important to an outstanding cruise experience in the eyes of guests. Jeff Drew, Senior VP of Sales, commented on how Oceania consistently delivers such a phenomenal dining experience (which Travel of America Customers continually rave about), “It’s no secret in the cruise industry that Oceania outspends every other cruise line in the business in the area of food for its guests.” And he insisted that Marina will follow in that tradition by offering the finest dining at sea for guests.

    Travel of America Customers who sail aboard the new Marina will enjoy the hallmarks of the Oceania Cruises dining experience – the Grand Dining Room; the clubby Polo Grill, home to the finest 28-day dry-aged prime steaks; and Toscana, where cherished Italian family recipes, lovingly handed-down through generations, are recreated each evening.

    In addition, Marina adds two new signature restaurants for guests to enjoy. Red Ginger will feature the bold flavors of the Orient, and guests will dine in contemporary elegance in a setting surrounded by six crystal Buddhas. Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises, stated that the acclaimed Slanted Door restaurant in San Francisco is currently consulting with the cruise line in developing Red Ginger’s menus.

    The other exciting new dining venue is Jacques, world-renowned chef Jacques Pepin’s eponymous and first-ever restaurant at sea. Here, in surroundings that reflect the provencal countryside of France, guests will dine on Jacques Pepin’s classic and distinctive dishes. Jacques himself will contribute to the décor of the room by featuring some his personal copper pans and other mementos from the celebrated “Julia & Jacques” television series.

    Also announced, an exciting onboard art enrichment series in the ship’s Artist’s Loft where guests can attend classes in oil painting, watercolors or sculpture taught by a resident artist. Across the hall, guests can partake in a hands-on cooking school taught by chefs who will provide their unique insights.

    While Marina’s first five sailings sold out in record time, Travel of America still has limited space set aside for our Customers on the ship’s TransAtlantic, Panama Canal and Exotic Caribbean voyages. And this week, the line will open the books to reservations for the remainder of Marina’s inaugural year sailings in Europe.

    To lock in your place on this exciting new ship, or to learn more about this exciting new addition to the Oceania Cruises family, call a friendly, knowledgeable Oceania Cruises expert at Travel of America today: 1-800-228-8843.

Editor's Note: Travel of America's Jim Petzel muses on a few of his favorite discoveries and experiences during a visit to the elegant city of water and bridges, Venice.

One of the most captivating and beautiful cities in the world has to be Venice. Built on 118 separate islands, this noble Italian city charms visitors with its many faces – just like the elaborate masks worn by Venetians through the ages to celebrate Carnevale, the festival prior to the start of the Lenten penitential season.

    St. Mark’s Square is the historic center of Venice and a good starting point for any exploration of the city. Monumental St. Mark’s Basilica awes visitors with its gilded mosaics, a nod to the Byzantine world. After all, Venice was positioned as the crossroads of trade between West and East.

    Adjoining the cathedral is the gothic Doge’s Palace, the seat of government during the days when Venice was a republic. View the elaborately apppointed receiving rooms to gain insight into this city’s commanding place in history. After sipping a cappuccino at a sidewalk café in the enormous piazza, you can admire the exquisite work of Venetian craftsmen on display in the shops along the loggia. On the nearby island of Murano, incredible hand-blown glass creations are brought to life.

    From St. Mark’s Square you can easily take a stroll along the Grand Canal to view the ornate palazzi of the Venetian nobility. With their balcony doors open to the morning sun, you’ll catch a glimpse of ornate interiors and imagine life as it was. Or better yet, indulge your romantic side and let charming gondoliers serenade you on a regal trip along the canal to Rialto bridge.

    After a luncheon of Venetian specialties blending traditional Italian recipes with the flavors of eastern spices, you may opt for a quiet stroll. You’ll also discover more facets of bella Venezia as you walk from St. Mark’s Square to Piazzale Roma on the mainland side of the city. Getting lost is inevitable and has never been quite so enjoyable! As you make your way down the maze of narrow streets, the crowds of tourists begin to thin, until quite suddenly, you find yourself alone in tiny, tranquil neighborhoods, each one displaying its own character.

    Here you will discover school children in their uniforms playing ball in a large square and mothers shopping at the local market for this evening’s dinner. Craftsmen ply their trades in their workshops and grandmothers keep a close eye on rambunctious toddlers. Once you arrive at Piazzale Roma you can mingle with the Venetians on a leisurely ride aboard a vaparetto,  a ‘water bus’ to return to St. Mark’s Square.

    For other sides of Venice, take a ride to the island of Burano with its colorfully decorated houses and where the locals still practice lacemaking by hand. Art lovers will enjoy a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection which includes a fine selection of works by Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso, Dali and other masters, while a short train ride from Venice, the city of Ravenna boasts impressive Byzantine mosaics at the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinari in Clase.

    Travel of America has put together fabulous European vacations.To learn more about these exciting opportunity, click here.