by Vicki Campbell, 6-time traveler from Juneau, Alaska
I’ve done quite a bit of solo travel over the years, because I often like to be fully independent when I’m in another country. I enjoy branching out on my own, and making quick decisions that aren’t as easy to make when you’re on a trip with others. I enjoy that type of autonomy.
There are other times, though, when I would like to be taken care of when I travel solo. And Grand Circle does that very well.
I embarked on Grand Circle’s Eastern Europe to the Black Sea trip, and found it to be a very comfortable and enjoyable cruise. We had three days in Budapest at the beginning of the trip, which allowed plenty of time for exploration—something I greatly appreciated. I particularly enjoyed soaking in the wonderful hot thermal baths of Sze’cheny, Rudas, and Gellert, taking the funicular, and discovering the Buda side of the city. One of my favorite parts of the trip was attending the opening of a ballet at the main Opera House in the city. I did that on my own, and I liked that the itinerary afforded us the chance to discover things like that independently.
Our Program Director, Boyana, was very bright and eager to please. When I originally made plans to go to the Opera House, I asked the staff about public transportation options. Our boat ended up moving to a different dock, so the route to the Opera House changed. Boyana remembered my request, and found out which subways I should take to get there. I didn’t end up needing to take the subway—the opera house was only about a 15-minute walk from where we were docked—but I was so impressed with Boyana’s effort. She was always willing to listen and help, and that made a big difference in the quality of the trip.
Grand Circle does a good job of introducing you to the people in the country you’re visiting. On this trip, I remember our interaction with Roma people very well. The guides were really good about fostering a discussion around what life is like for the Roma—especially all the prejudice they have encountered. Our guide talked about how such prejudice can be unintentional, but that it still happens all the time. I really appreciated the perspective the discussion provided.
There are many things I enjoy about traveling—exploring on my own, having new experiences, and interacting with the locals among them—but perhaps the most important part for me is fun! I certainly had a lot of that on my Eastern Europe to the Black Sea trip with Grand Circle.