The World’s Top 5 Places to Propose

Listen up gentlemen! If marriage is on your mind and you’re looking for someplace memorable to pop the big question, we’ve got you covered with some of the world’s most romantic destinations where you can relax knowing she’ll say “yes”—without hesitation. Based on our travel agents’ own experience and those of their clients, here are the World’s Top 5 Places to Propose…

5. Ring of Kerry, Ireland

When it comes to finding the perfect backdrop to propose, few settings are as beautiful and magical as those which line the Ring of Kerry on the southwest coast of Ireland. Covering just over 100 miles along the Iveragh Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry is a circular route which boasts magnificent mountain and ocean vistas, along with colorful villages, towns, museums and fun stopping points. The round-trip adventure can be completed in four hours by car, but you’ll want to be able to take at least a full day or longer to explore and soak in the rugged scenery and sites along the way. Even though the route is popular with tour buses, you really should rent a car and travel the route at your own pace. This will give you plenty of time to find just the right setting and allow you to settle your nerves before popping the question.

4. Phuket, Thailand

If you and your soon to be fiancé prefer warmer climates that include dazzling beaches and a fabulous mix of nightlife, then the colorful island of Phuket is for you. Exotic, lush and oh-so seductive, Phuket (pronounced poo-get), Thailand’s largest and most popular island has long been popular with jet-setters, honeymooners, and those “in the know.” Blessed with many of the world’s best beaches and sporting a balmy temperature between 77°F and 93°F year-round, lovebirds flock to this upbeat area of the world for its mile upon sandy mile of coastline which boasts tons of water sports, delectable restaurants and decadent resorts. Phuket is at its best during the dry season which begins in December and usually lasts until March. Our suggestion for the ultimate Phuket proposal: Charter a private yacht for a sunset cruise and dinner in Phang Nga Bay—she’ll be left speechless.

3. Montreal, Quebec

If it’s a romantic city backdrop you’re after in your proposal (one particularly close to home), look no further than the sophisticated, yet vibrant metropolis of Montreal—a city so infused with romance, it will sweep you both off of your feet. Head to Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal), where you can take an evening stroll arm in arm among the historic buildings that basks in an enchanting incandescence—or you could surprise her with a caléche ride (horse drawn carriage) around the city’s hushed streets, both are lovely settings. If you’re a traditionalist and prefer to pop the question while sharing a tender tête-á-tête over the city’s legendary French cuisine, Montreal has your back with many superb restaurants that will set the stage beautifully.

2. Napa Valley, California

If you subscribe to the belief that food and wine go together like love and marriage, then you won’t be disappointed by whisking your love away to California’s Napa Valley. Home to a large collection of quaint towns and charming villages and you likely already know Napa Valley has a renowned wine and restaurant scene—but it’s the Valley’s splendid natural setting that makes it prime for proposing. If it’s your first time to the Valley, take it slow and head down state route 29 where some of the country’s most well-known vintners are located, including Robert Mondavi, Beringer and Cakebread. First-time visitors should also consider a romantic trip for dinner aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train or hot air balloon ride over the valley’s world-famous vineyards and estates—both make excellent backdrops for sealing the deal.

1. Paris, France

Ah, Paris, the City of Lights and love—no surprise it takes our top spot for most romantic proposal destination. While proposing beneath the Eiffel Tower inevitably comes to mind to many love-struck couples around the world, Paris is packed with oodles of other romantic locales for kneeling on one knee. If you’re aiming for an intimate setting, Canal Saint-Martin’s enchanting tree-lined waterway is almost overlooked by tourists in the off-peak months. And the Pont de Arts, a wooden pedestrian bridge leading to the Louvre Museum, offers a postcard-worthy view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. If you can reserve a table near the windows of the exquisite Maison Blanche restaurant located on the top floor of an old theater near the Champs-Élysées, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. As well, Paris is filled with beautiful gardens, and all will make an unbelievably romantic setting. Luxembourg Gardens, in particular, is a great spot for couples, and is adjacent to the breathtaking Luxembourg Palace.

For more information on these romantic locations and other great vacation ideas, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020. 

Bucket List Travel Ideas

Bucket lists seem to be all the rage these days. Everybody is asking, “What’s on your bucket list?”, or saying, “There is another item checked off my bucket list!”

If you don’t have a bucket list, maybe it’s time to create one! Here are some travel ideas to help get you started or add to your current wish list of travel fun.

United States

• Take a helicopter tour over the Big Island in Hawaii. (Get an overhead look into an active volcano!)
  
  
• Experience the magic and pixie dust of Walt Disney World. (It is the land of dreams, after all!)
  
  
•  Visit Denali National Park in Alaska. (Have your camera at the ready, the sights are spectacular!)
  
  
• Watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. (See a national landmark at its most beautiful.)
  
  
• See the Bellagio fountain light show in Las Vegas! (You’ll feel luckier just by watching!)
  

Europe

• Climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (See the City of Lights from above the lights.)
  
  
• Take a Gondola ride in Venice. (Enjoy the romance of the city the way it was meant to be seen.)
  
  
• Sail down the Danube River in Europe. (See the elegance of Europe from the inside.)
  
  
• Stroll the Champs Elysées in Paris. (You’ll feel fancy just being there.)
  
  
• Make a wish in the Trevi Fountain in Rome. (Close your eyes, toss your change, change your life!)
  
  
• Kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland. (Bend over backwards and gain the gift of eloquence.)
  
  

At Sea and Beyond

• Zip line above Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas. (What a thrill! And what a view!)
  
  
• Swim with the dolphins in the Caribbean Sea. (Can you really name a better swimming partner?)
  
  
• See the pyramids of Egypt. (Take a trip into the desert and see the wonders of the world.)
  
  
• Find the “big five” on a safari in Africa. (Elephants, rhinoceros, buffalos, lions, and leopards, Oh My!)
  
  Live the dream! For help checking items off of your bucket list and other great vacation ideas, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020. 

St. Patrick’s Day – Beyond the Beer and Leprechauns

March 17 has become a day of wearing green, drinking green beer and chasing leprechauns, and we call it St. Patrick’s Day. Who is St. Patrick and why do we do celebrate him in this way?

Who is St. Patrick?

St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland. Although not Irish born, St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish people. There is also legend that St. Patrick drove all of the snakes out of Ireland and drowned them in the sea. Although this sounds very heroic and believable due to the fact that there aren’t any snakes in Ireland, it is truly just a legend. There never were any real slithering snakes in Ireland, however, the snake is a symbol of Paganism. St. Patrick converted “the snakes” to Christianity and in that story you have the birth of the snake legend.

How did the holiday start?

March 17 has long been St. Patrick’s Day, but when did it begin?

St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious feast in the 9th or 10th century and is held on March 17, the day that marks the death of St. Patrick in the year 461AD. The feast day commemorating the work and life and St. Patrick falls during the Christian season of Lent, but allows for a break in the Lenten fasting and has long been a day of feasting, music and dancing. Dishes typically found at an Irish feast are sheperd’s pie, lamb stew, clocannon (mashed potatoes and cabbage), corned beef and cabbage and champ (mashed potatoes and scallions).

The holiday is now marked by parades throughout the United States. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in New York City in 1762 when Irish soldiers serving in the English army began marching through the streets playing Irish music to celebrate their heritage while away from home. The idea was a catching one and quickly parades sprung up all over the country as a way for Irish immigrants to celebrate their roots. Today, the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade is the oldest and largest civilian parade in the United States.

Holiday Symbols and Traditions

When thinking of St. Patrick’s day several images come to mind; the shamrock, sneaky little leprechauns, lots of beer and the color green. Do any of these things have anything to do with St. Patrick at all?

Yes, the shamrock is very closely tied to St. Patrick thanks to a popular myth that he used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Sprit) to the people of Ireland during their conversion from their Pagan beliefs to Christianity. Although not tied to St. Patrick, the leprechaun is part of Irish legend. As the myth goes, leprechauns (closely related to fairies) all have a pot of gold which they hide from the world. If you manage to catch a leprechaun his gold is yours, but leprechauns are very tricky and great at escaping and staying out of sight.

Aside from the traditional feasting, not much of the American St. Patrick’s Day celebration has any connection to St. Patrick or to Ireland. Although beers such as Guiness (very popular on St. Patrick’s Day) originated in Ireland, drinking was not part of the original celebration of the holiday. In fact, the pubs in Ireland used to be closed on March 17 as an order of the law. It was not until the 1970s that pubs began to be open for the holiday.

Although loosely related, there are many stories as to why there is so much green around March 17. Some say that green is the color of Spring and shamrocks, others say it is because Ireland is considered “the emerald isle” and others simply that green is one of the three colors on the Irish flag. No matter what you believe, green is definitely a huge part of St. Patrick’s Day in the United States, so much so that Chicago dyes its river green every year and people have taken to pinching people not wearing the color on March 17.

Irish or not, regardless of your reason for celebrating, have fun, be merry, and most of all, be safe.

Interested in seeing Ireland for yourself? Check out these great trips.

• Foreign Business Mission & Group Tour to Ireland -  Click Here to Download PDF Flyer
• Irish Spirit Tour – Click Here to Download PDF Flyer

For more information or booking, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

Crazy Cheap European Vacations

A little while back, I posted about “10 Overseas Vacations Under $1,000” and just wanted to give an update to this. I was really excited about the insanely cheap prices of these trips, but the deal just got even sweeter. Now for all 2011 Cosmos Vacations bookings made by May 3rd, Boscov’s Travel is giving an extra $50 off per person, or $100 off per couple. Ridiculous! Amazing! Stupendous! Call it what you want, but I call it a steal! Call your significant other, pack your bags and stop in to your local Boscov’s Travel to book now. Here’s the recap:

British Panorama – 9 days, starting at $929 ($879 after discount)

Greek Odyssey – 8 days, starting at $939 ($889 after discount)

Jewels of Spain & Portugal – 9 days, starting at $959 ($909 after discount)

Jewels of France – 8 days, starting at $929 ($879 after discount)

Prague, Vienna & Budapest – 9 days, starting at $899 ($849 after discount)

Irish Explorer – 9 days, starting at $999 ($949 after discount)

Jewels of Morocco – 10 days, starting at $789 ($739 after discount)

Grand Tour of Turkey – 13 days, starting at $999 ($949 after discount)

Jewels of Slovenia & Croatia – 8 days, starting at $999 ($949 after discount)

Jewels of Poland – 8 days, starting at $999 ($949 after discount)

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Air is not included. Book a 2011 Cosmos vacation through Boscov’s Travel to receive the $50 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied by May 3, 2011 for travel commencing by December 31, 2011. Combinable with the Journeys Club $50 Cosmos coupon. Applies to new 2011 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

10 Overseas Vacations Under $1,000

Occasionally I will see a deal come through that is just way too good not to pass along. The following deal officially falls into that classification. As a young woman with a long bucket list, most of it involving traveling, it is always exciting to see trips abroad that are within my range financially. Yes, we are experiencing recession, yes, the market is unstable, and yes, you are only young once, so some things you have to push ahead with pursuing regardless of the economic climate.

So, when I heard about a Cosmos offer for 10 vacations under $1,000, I knew I had to share the deals with you, our lovely readers! Below is an outline of the vacations, their prices, and some info about the trips. All trips allow for a considerable amount of free time, and offer optional excursions for an extra cost. Please note that prices are land only, valid as of the time they were published, and subject to change.

Prague, Vienna & Budapest – 9 days from $899

The main feature of this trip is to see the rediscovered jewels of Imperial Europe, but the tour also is a great way to check out all of the exciting things to do in Eastern Europe.  The package includes visits to Nuremberg, Vienna, Salzburg, Bohemia, Moravia, and the Danube River. Get ready for the buzz of the city as you take the Autobahn to Nuremberg,  tour both sides of Budapest (the Buda side is old world and the Pest side is new world), and enjoy culinary delights created from scratch with unique spices and herbs.  From Alpine scenery to city lights, this tour is a great balance of city and country.

Greek Odyssey – 8 days from $939

Greece has always been a country that preserves instead of destroys its history. Enjoy landscapes full of unique ruins, gorgeous flora and fauna, and buzzing metropolitan cities. This tour includes trips to Epidaurus, Meteora, Kalambaka, Peloponnese, Mount Parnassus, the Arcadian Mountains, the Corinth Canal, Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, and the Rion-Antirion Bridge. From roaming around the stomping grounds of famous philosophers to eating lamb gyros with french fries piled high on them to having a race with your travel companions at the home of the Original Olympic Games, this trip will be full of adventure, intrigue, and breathtaking scenery.

Irish Explorer – 9 days from $999

Whether you are Irish or not this tour will make you want to grab a draft Guinness, swap tall tales with the locals, and then roll down one of the hundreds of green hills at your disposal! This is a superb trip for photographers, as it will take you to some of the most stunning destinations with saturated colors, vivid skies, and visual textures like no other place on Earth. Stops include Downpatrick, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Donegal town, Knock, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Tramore, handweaving mill at Avoca, Glendalough,  Boyne Valley, Mountains of Mourne, Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast, Donegal Bay, The Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, and Wicklow Mountains.  A truly one-stop-shop for Ireland tours, and for under $1,000, a real steal.

Jewels of Morocco – 10 days from $789

A great destination for travelers who have seen the standard destinations, Morocco affords visitors with exceptional culture, intriguing history and architecture, and a sense that you traveled back in time.  In a place where storytelling is truly a means of record keeping as well as entertainment, Morocco will give you an abundance of stories you will be telling your children and your childrens children for years to come.  Tour stops include visits to Fez, Ifrane, Erfoud, Rissani, Ouarzazate, Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, Rabat, Meknes, Marrakesh, Casablanca, the Atlas Mountains, Ziz Gorges and Oasis, Road of 1000 Kasbahs, Dades Valley, and Todra Gorge. Everywhere you travel in Moroco is scenic, and the landscape changes from volcanic mountains, to verdant cedar forests, to deserts, to craggy mountains.  This is truly an eye-candy tour, from the narrow streets of colorful cities to the natural beauties of the world.

Jewels of Poland – 8 days from $999

A romantic, friendly, and fascinating town, Poland is a great place to go for culture, religion, and history buffs. From busy cities to quiet country landscapes, this tour is a great mix of town and country. The tour includes visits to Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Poznan, Jasna Góra, Krakow, and Auschwitz.  If you like free time, this is a great tour to take. With unique optional excursions, and a slew of things to discover on your own, Poland will undoubtedly charm you with its quaint yet bustling existence.

Jewels of Spain & Portugal – 9 days from $949

This is a great tour for the adventurous at heart, revelers, and anyone who appreciates a place that breathes its essence into every fiber of your being. From visiting a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to traveling through landscapes of windmills and castles, you will be bustling with excitement on every day of your tour. This tour includes visits to Avila, Salamanca, Coimbra, Fatima, Obidos, Seville, Sierra da Estrela, Andalusia, Libson, Madrid, and La Mancha. Spain boasts colorful cities, quaint countrysides, and a range of scenery that will knock your socks off.

Jewels of Slovania & Croatia – 8 days from $999

From the Adriatic Sea along the Croatian coast line to the flourishing forests of Slovenia, this is a lovely trip for decompressing and remembering all of the beauty in the world. Whether touring Europe’s most extensive caves or meandering through Plitvice, one of Europe’s most famous National Parks, this trip acts as a communion with nature. And for all of you urban landscapers,  you will be visiting the cities of this area too. The tour includes visits to Postojna Caves, Plitvice National Park, Neretva Gorges, Dalmatian Coast, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Ljubljana. A steal of a deal for a life changing experience like this.

British Panorama – 9 days from $869

Enjoy the plush history and culture that England, Scotland, and Wales have to offer. Take advantage of plenty of free time to explore each place, and enjoy scheduled visits to major attractions along the way! Stop on this tour include visits to Hadrian’s Wall, Jedburgh, Melrose, Edinburgh Castle, tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Aug 6, Aug 13, Aug 20 departures), Gretna Green, Grasmere, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Broadway, Bath, Salisbury; orientation drive in Cardiff; walking tours in Cambridge, York, & Chester. This is a great tour for literary folk and history buffs alike, or for the person who just wants to see a lot of classic attractions in Europe in a short amount of time.

Jewels of France – 9 days from $919

Travel to the “City of Light” where you will fall in love with the gourmet cuisine, wonderful wines, and incredible architecture. Tour includes visits to Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur, Deauville, Normandy Landing Beaches and American Cemetery, Bayeux and its tapestry, Mont St. Michel, St. Malo, Rennes, Tours, Orléans, Chartres, and Chateaux Country. From seeing classic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe to touring the famous water garden that inspired Monet, this tour will show you the romantic, unique, classic, and picturesque beauty of France.

Grand Tour of Turkey – 13 days from $999

Turkey is a beautiful place to go to witness a “unique crossroads between Europe and Asia.”  Full of friendly locals, incredible food, gorgeous views, and one-of-a-kind shopping at bazaars and markets, Turkey will give you a cultural experience like none other. This tour includes visits to Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Izmir, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Agzikarahan Caravanserai, Konya, Rock Chapels in Göreme, Ankara, King Midas’ Tomb in Gordion, Bursa, and Pamukkale’s Cotton Castle. From striking architecture to lush forests, Turkey is beautiful at all times of the day, and boasts some of the most dramatic twilight moments you will ever experience. If you are looking for something exotic and non-typical, book this trip now.

Our Travel Specialists would be happy to help book any of the above trips, or any other adventures you may have planned. Click here to get connected with a Specialist.

Notre Dame vs. Navy Football Game, Tour of Ireland

The Emerald Isle Classic in 2012 will be a game to remember for a number of reasons.

Notre Dame vs. Navy is a football rivalry that has now gone on since 1927, which makes it the “longest uninterrupted intersectional series in college football”, according to Wikipedia. Though both sides have agreed to play at least until 2016, this is the only game planned for Dublin, Ireland. This game will be the 85^th in the series, and will be hosted in the new Aviva Stadium, home to Ireland’s national rugby and soccer teams.  The stadium holds a scant 50,000 people, so getting tickets could prove to be difficult if waiting until the last minute.  Why not make it easy on yourself, and check out our exciting Tour of Ireland/Game Day package?

Our package is seven days long, and includes a plethora of perks including motorcoach transportation, an Irish driver and guide, seven Irish breakfasts, five dinners, one lunch, tickets to the game and more.  Below are some of the places you will be visiting. Admission to these places is included in the cost of your trip.

• Blasket Centre – The museum dedicated to the unique people that used to live on the Great Blasket Island before it was abandoned in 1953. Perfect for literature, culture, and anthropology buffs.
• Gallarus Oratory – A very small church built in a very unique way. The year it was created is unknown, but speculated to be between the 6^th and 12^thcenturies.  If you crawl through the small window, your soul will be cleansed.

• Blarney Castle– A must see destination for tourists in Ireland. This 600 year old castle is famous for its “Stone of Eloquence”, or “Blarney Stone” at the top of the tower. Lay down on your back and hang upside down to kiss the stone, and you will go on to be an eloquent linguist.
• Clonmacnoise – A monastery founded in 545. A real treat for architecture, religion, and history buffs, the property has plenty of space to explore its cathedral, castle, round tower, churches, high crosses, and gravestones.
• Connermara Celtic Crystal Factory – A fantastic place to learn about Irish symbolism while watching master craftsmen cut crystal and create beautiful pieces of art. In addition to selling their own crystal creations, they sell tons of Irish goodies.
• Cliffs of Moher- Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction and for obvious reasons! Approximately 702 feet at the highest point, they overlook the Atlantic Ocean, Aran Islands, Galway Bay, The Twelve Pins, and the Maum Turk Mountains.

Trip Dates: August 28^th –September 5^th, 2012

Game Day: September 1^st, 2012

Click here to learn more about this tour package and to request a price quote.

We are sold out of tickets for this event. However, if you have tickets and are interested in air transportation, transfers, a hotel stay, tours, other entertainment, etc., call 800-755-8020 or leave a comment with your email address and a Boscov’s Travel Specialist will contact you.