Belated Happy Independence Day!

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Dear World Traveler!

I have never passed the 4th of July without sending out a missive commemorating our beloved nation's birthday until this year.

Perhaps I can blame this oversight on being too giddy from the weekend we've been enjoying in historic Philadelphia.  After all, the Declaration of Independence was boldly signed 235 years ago at Independence Hall, which we walked past last night on our way to the fireworks extravaganza in Benjamin Franklin Park.

We strolled past the Liberty Bell, a dancing water fountain show, China Town and more.  We arrived a few minutes before the patriotic music simulcast of the sensational fireworks explosions over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The previous evening, we decided at ten minutes before six in the evening to attend a Philadelphia Pops concert at the Mann Theater Pavilion.

Upon ordering four free tickets and eating quick dinners instead of the tacos we had planned to cook, our son-in-law Laszlo drove us to the venue where we were directed to park in a grassy field from which we walked to the covered pavilion just before the rain started, taking our seats ten minutes before the show kicked off, exactly an hour from the moment we committed to go.

Conductor David Abell mentioned this was the outstanding orchestra's first performance in sixteen months, and they put on a show for the ages, touching on everything from John Phillips Souza to a touching song from "Hamilton" to a preview of a Beatles concert they will put on next month.

The featured solo vocalist, Broadway's Joshua Henry, blew us away with his renditions of "Feeling Good," "Uptown Funk" and "God Bless America," among other great songs.  

On the morning of the 4th, we attended church in an historic Episcopal Church, St. George's in Ardmore.

However, I must admit that we have consistently celebrated the 4th of July in fun ways, so that giddiness is hardly an excuse for failing to wish you Happy Independence Day until July 5 this year.

Perhaps subconsciously I wanted to make the point that if we don't act, we miss out.

We should all maximize our appreciation of this beautiful nation and world.  Part requires advance planning to be in the right general area, and then part is being open to specific opportunities.

One of the best places to find amazing adventures at every turn is aboard a cruise ship, and packaged land tours also work great for experiencing the best of the world.

The world is finally opening up, just as it did for the unmasked concert, church service and fireworks show attendees in Philadelphia.

More cruises are coming on line, including for the Caribbean, European river cruises and soon Alaska.

If you're ready to travel now, act today.  Give me a call or e-mail.

If you want to see how this first wave of post-Covid cruises and international travel plays out, it sure doesn't hurt to book something for September, December, February or next June.

Just plan something to look forward to.  Get excited.

I'm happy to see that some of you have signed up for our upcoming Africa Where2Next webinar to learn more about travel that amazing continent where you can choose your personal level of adventure and luxury.

Wherever you want to go, now is the time to start planning.

Wes