Samantha Evans - The Travel Agent Next Door

09/01/2026

IRELAND 2027 ☘️ | 2-FOR-1 AIRFARE
If Ireland has been sitting on your travel wish list, this might be the time to go.

For a limited time, CIE Tours is offering 2-for-1 airfare on select 2027 tours — your companion flies FREE!*

☘️ Featured Tour: Irish Gold

Spend 8 or 9 days exploring some of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes, historic towns and famous sights, with an itinerary that takes you through the south and west of the Emerald Isle.

✨ Dublin
✨ Kilkenny
✨ Killarney & the Ring of Kerry
✨ Galway
✨ Beautiful Connemara
✨ Irish culture, history & plenty of spectacular scenery

Tour prices start from C$3,995 per person, based on double occupancy.

And one of the things I love about CIE Tours? They include a LOT. Hotels, transportation, sightseeing, attractions and most meals are built into the tour price, so there are fewer extra costs to worry about along the way.

✈️ Book by September 30 and take advantage of 2-for-1 airfare on eligible 2027 departures.

If Ireland is on your list for 2027, message me and I can check dates, availability and the total package price from Canada for you. ☘️

*Terms, conditions and eligible departures apply. Airfare offer available on select January 1–August 31,2027 CIE Tours vacations.
[email protected]
CPBC #65932

08/31/2026

Imagine waking up in a new European port every day. Mediterranean cruises combine iconic cities, stunning coastlines, and incredible cuisine. Let’s plan your Mediterranean getaway!


[email protected]
CPBC #65932

08/28/2026

✨ 2028 CRUISE SPOTLIGHT: SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO ✨

Okay, this is another one of Celebrity's 2028 itineraries that caught my eye! 😍

🚢 Celebrity Xcel
📅 September 25 – October 6, 2028
🌙 11 nights, roundtrip Barcelona
Prices: oceanview cabins starting at $3545 pp; balcony cabins starting at $4106
*prices are subject to availability

🇪🇸 Seville (Cádiz)
🇵🇹 Lisbon
🇵🇹 Overnight in Madeira
🇲🇦 Tangier, Morocco
🇪🇸 Palma de Mallorca

There is SO much I like about this one.

You get Spain, Portugal and Morocco in one trip, a full day in Lisbon, and best of all — an overnight stay in Madeira, arriving at 8 AM and not sailing again until 5 PM the following day.

That means you actually have time to experience Madeira beyond a quick cruise-port visit — and even enjoy an evening ashore.

Add in Tangier, Seville and beautiful Palma de Mallorca, all aboard Celebrity Xcel, and I think this is a fantastic alternative to the more traditional Mediterranean itineraries.

And it's sailing at the end of September, after the height of the European summer season. ☀️

Celebrity's 2028 Europe cruises are now open for booking. If one of these new itineraries has you thinking about Europe in 2028, send me a message and I can take a look at options and pricing for you! ✈️🌍
CPBC #65932
[email protected]

08/27/2026

✨ 2028 CRUISE SPOTLIGHT: GREECE & EGYPT ✨
This is one of the new Celebrity Cruises itineraries for 2028 that immediately caught my attention!

🚢 Celebrity Infinity
📅 May 12–21, 2028
🌙 9 nights, roundtrip Athens
Prices: Oceanview starting at $2443 pp; balcony starting at $3947 pp
*prices subject to availability and aren't guaranteed until booked

🇬🇷 Athens
🇬🇷 Santorini — 7 AM to 10 PM
🇬🇷 Olympia (Katakolon)
🇪🇬 Overnight in Alexandria, Egypt
🇬🇷 Mykonos

The highlight for me? Almost two full days in Alexandria. The ship arrives at 4 AM and doesn't depart until 7 PM the following evening, giving you much more time to experience Egypt than you normally get on a Mediterranean cruise.

And then you get Santorini, Mykonos and Olympia along with it. 😍

If Greece and Egypt have both been on your list, this is a pretty incredible way to combine them into one trip — and with it sailing in May, you're there before the peak summer heat.

Celebrity's new 2028 Europe itineraries are now available to book. If you'd like more specific pricing or want to see what other new itineraries caught my eye, send me a message!
[email protected]
CPBC #65932

08/27/2026

✨ NEW SERIES: 2028 CRUISE SPOTLIGHTS ✨

Celebrity Cruises has released its 2028 sailings, and I've been going through the new itineraries to see which ones really stand out.

And there are some GOOD ones. 👀

Over the next little while, I'm going to share a few of my favourites — not every itinerary, just the ones that made me stop and take a second look.

Think overnight stays, interesting ports, great combinations of countries, and itineraries that are a little different from the usual.

Stay tuned — I've already found a few more that I think are worth highlighting! 🚢✨
[email protected]

Send a message to learn more

08/27/2026

You don’t need to take a cruise to see Europe. 🇪🇺🚆

Cruising is a fantastic way to see Europe — but it’s definitely not the only way.

One of my favourite ways to build a European vacation is by rail. Pick a few places that work well together, stay for a couple of nights in each, and actually have time to experience them instead of racing through.

Think:

🚆 Munich → Salzburg → Vienna → Budapest
🚆 Paris → Strasbourg → Switzerland
🚆 Amsterdam → Brussels → Paris
🚆 Prague → Vienna → Budapest
🚆 Rome → Florence → Venice

And it doesn’t have to mean figuring out dozens of train schedules and hotels on your own.

I can put together the whole trip — hotels, rail tickets, transfers, sightseeing and experiences — while still giving you plenty of independent time to explore at your own pace.

It’s a great option if you like the idea of seeing several places in one vacation, but want more time in each destination and the freedom to make the trip your own.

Europe doesn't have to come in a pre-packaged tour or cruise itinerary. Sometimes the best itinerary is the one we build just for you. ✈️❤️

Where would your perfect European rail trip take you?
[email protected]
CPBC #65932

08/11/2026

🚢 Celebrity Cruises just announced its 2028–2029 sailings, and there are some REALLY good ones coming! 🌍✨

Celebrity is going big in Europe for 2028, with four Edge Series ships sailing there — Celebrity Beyond, Xcel, Ascent and Apex — plus new itineraries and ports around the world.

A few highlights that caught my eye:

🇮🇸🇳🇴 Iceland + Norway on Celebrity Beyond
Beyond is returning to Europe with incredible 14-night itineraries combining Iceland and the Norwegian fjords — Reykjavik, Akureyri, Geiranger, Flåm, Bergen and more.

🇬🇧🇮🇪 New British Isles cruises on Celebrity Apex
12-night itineraries through England, Scotland and Ireland, including Celebrity’s first-ever visit to Galway.

☀️ More Mediterranean options
Celebrity Xcel, Ascent and Eclipse will sail 7–11 night itineraries throughout Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Morocco.

🇮🇹 Bari is back!
Celebrity returns to Bari, Italy for the first time since 2014 on select Constellation and Infinity sailings.

🇪🇬 Egypt returns
Celebrity Infinity will offer European itineraries that include overnight stays in Alexandria.

🇯🇵 A full Japan season
The renewed Celebrity Solstice will spend April–October 2028 in Japan, with itineraries timed around cherry blossoms, festivals and autumn colours, plus overnight stays in destinations such as Kyoto and Aomori.

🏔️ Alaska gets a new ship
Celebrity Equinox will sail Alaska for the first time, alongside Edge and Millennium.

🌺 Hawaii from Los Angeles
New round-trip Hawaii sailings from LA mean no transpacific flight required.

🐧 Antarctica is back
Celebrity Equinox will offer an extended South America season with 12–16 night itineraries visiting Patagonia, the Chilean fjords and Antarctica.

And that’s just part of the new deployment — Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Bermuda and Canada/New England are also included.

2028 might sound far away, but the best cruise itineraries and cabin categories can disappear surprisingly early — especially unique sailings like Iceland + Norway and Japan.
📅 Japan 2028 sailings are already available to book, while Celebrity's newly announced 2028–2029 itineraries for other destinations will open for booking later this month, with dates varying by destination.

See something you'd love to do? Send me a message! We can start planning now so you're ready when your preferred destination opens for booking. ✈️🌎
CPBC #65932
[email protected]

08/05/2026

Celebrate the Christmas season on Europe’s enchanting rivers with AmaWaterways—festive markets, warm traditions, and unforgettable moments aboard. Discover holiday sailings and limited-time offers here: https://inspires.to/experiences/enjoy-the-holidays-with-amawaterways-1d2wmx
CPBC #65932

The gift of the Christmas Season along the rivers await you

07/21/2026

We’ve updated our Travelling to page with information about the European Travel Information and Authorisation System the is preparing to launch.

Learn more about the requirements and impacts for dual citizens: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/travelling-europe

07/21/2026

🏝️ Travel Tip Tuesday: Cancun & Riviera Maya Tips
☀️ 1. Choose the Right Area
Not all "Cancun" vacations are actually in Cancun!

🏖️ Cancun Hotel Zone – Beaches, nightlife, shopping, easy airport access.
🌴 Playa del Carmen – Walkable town, restaurants, ferry to Cozumel.
🌿 Riviera Maya – Larger resorts, quieter atmosphere, more jungle setting.
🌊 Costa Mujeres – Newer resorts, calmer beaches, great for families and couples.

🌊 2. Seaweed (Sargassum) Can Be Seasonal
Seaweed varies throughout the year and peaks in the summer months. Some resorts are affected more than others, while islands like Isla Mujeres and Cozumel often have calmer, clearer beaches.

🚕 3. Skip the Airport Sales Pitch
After clearing customs, you'll walk through an area where many people offer "free tours," transportation, or resort information. Keep your head down and keep walking until you get outside to find your transfer.

🌮 4. Leave the Resort at Least Once
The Riviera Maya has so much to offer:
Chichén Itzá
Tulum
Cenotes
Catamaran cruises
Isla Mujeres
Cozumel
Xcaret & Xel-Há Parks

🧴 5. Reef-Safe Sunscreen is Your Friend
You'll likely spend time snorkeling or swimming, and many eco-parks encourage or require reef-safe sunscreen.

📱 6. Download WhatsApp
Many tour operators, transfer companies, and even some hotels in Mexico use WhatsApp to communicate with guests.

✈️ 7. Work with a Travel Advisor ✈️

Choosing the right resort can make all the difference.

The Cancun area is much larger than many people realize, and not every resort is the right fit for every traveler. Whether you're looking for a quiet adults-only escape, a fun family resort, a swimmable beach, or easy access to excursions, there's a perfect match—you just need to know where to look.

As a travel advisor, I help my clients:
✔️ Choose the destination that fits their travel style
✔️ Compare resorts beyond the brochure photos
✔️ Find the best value for their budget
✔️ Navigate promotions and inclusions
✔️ Be there before, during, and after their trip if they need assistance

A little expert advice before you book can help you avoid disappointment and make your vacation exactly what you were hoping for.

📩 Ready to plan your Cancun or Riviera Maya getaway? I'd love to help!
[email protected]
CPBC #65932