A Mediterranean Affair

Last year, Cruise Planners received the American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award for the 16^th consecutive time. This prestigious award was granted to Cruise Planners because of its exemplary excellence in travel sales, a testament to the franchisor’s commitment to providing the best tools in the travel industry so its travel advisors can best serve their clients.

In recognition of this honor, American Express Travel recently invited Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners, and Montana Fee, sales account executive, on a journey through the Mediterranean. To reach all their destinations, they hopped on board Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ luxurious Seven Seas Voyager. The ship boasted lavish décor and all-suite accommodations – with specialty dining included in the cruise fare and an excellent crew-to-guest ratio – ensuring a marvelous experience for all guests who choose to sail with Regent. 

Keep on reading to find out about their amazing journey.

Israel

Michelle and Montana kicked off their trip in the Old City of Jerusalem, home to the Western Wall and known for being one of the most sacred sites in the world. South of Jerusalem, the mother/daughter duo then visited Bethlehem where the Church of the Nativity stands – which is where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. And to round out this spiritual experience, the ladies were able to spot some of the Stations of the Cross, a series of images scattered throughout the Old City depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion.

Kos

Kos, a Greek island in the southeastern Aegean Sea, welcomed Michelle and Montana with open arms, and lots of freshly made, locally sourced olive oil! They took a stroll around Zia, a small town enveloped in the rich green forests of the island that boasts breathtaking mountainous views. Asklepion was next – the major attraction of Kos that showcases what was once the healing temple of the city, including a medical school and thermal baths.

Kusadasi

No trip to Turkey would be complete without stopping by Kusadasi, where Michelle and Montana roamed around the magical ruins of Ephesus that thrived in the height of the Roman Empire. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus and an ancient theater with 25,000 seats. The ladies also entered the terrace houses, where they got a glimpse into the lives of the elite in Ephesus.

Kavala

Next stop: Kavala! The quaint city of Kavala makes for one of the most picturesque cities with so many charming places to walk around and go shopping.  And in the country known for its world-renowned cuisine, Michelle and Montana had the opportunity to watch a Greek cooking presentation and make their very own tzatziki.

Meteora

Continuing along the Greek tour, Michelle and Montana hopped on a bus out of Volos to visit the famous monasteries in Meteora, which translates to “middle of the sky.” This place really takes its meaning seriously, since it lies atop an immense natural pillar that overlooks the rest of the city from the skies. Here, Michelle and Montana took in the spectacular views from the Monastery of St. Stephen.    

Mykonos

And finally, Michelle and Montana perused around Mykonos, which offers a beauty in its architecture that’s hard to find anywhere else. As Greek as it is grandiose, the hospitality in Mykonos is unmatched. Between the iconic windmills that can be seen from every point of the village to the authentic Greek salads and hummus, Michelle and Montana had themselves a perfect day, and an even more perfect trip around the Mediterranean.