Embark on a Journey of a Lifetime
Ron & Mary's Grand Voyage 2024
Join award-winning travel journalists Ron and Mary James as they take you on an extraordinary 82-day journey from San Diego to Rome and on to Cape Town. Discover ancient wonders, sail the seas, and experience the magic of the South African Winelands. The adventure begins October 8.
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS IN
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Latest Update: Exploring the Venetian Canals
Rediscovering Taormina: A Day of Shopping, History, and Stunning Views in Sicily
If there’s a tourist hotspot in Sicily, it’s got to be Taormina. We took an “on-your-own” tour of this beautiful mountain-top village, and wow—what a blend of ancient charm and high-end glamour! At first, Mary swore we’d been here before, but I...
Discovering Maltese Heritage in Every Sip: Wine Tasting at Ta’ Betta Wine Estates
The last part of our Malta tour was a wine tasting at a local winery. Ta’ Betta Wine Estates was unlike any we’ve encountered. It began with three of the friendliest winery dogs greeting our group at the entrance, where city views peeked over the top of...
Exploring Malta’s Timeless Charm: Mdina’s Silent Streets and Valletta’s Majestic Coastline
Malta has always been one of our favorite Mediterranean ports, offering everything a traveler could ask for—fair weather, dramatic ancient architecture, fantastic food, and a fascinating history. Just sailing in and out of Valletta is an experience in itself, with...
Exploring Contrasts in Corfu and Argostoli: Highlights from Greece’s Ionian Islands
Shared with Public We’re enjoying our first and last sea day on this leg of the cruise, as we sail toward the tip of Italy’s boot and on to Sicily on the smooth Ionian Sea. Our recent stops at Corfu and Argostoli highlighted contrasts and similarities among Greek...
Kotor and Our Lady of the Rocks
Our latest visit to Kotor featured a shore excursion that blended luxury, history, and local charm. We skipped the old town in favor of exploring Porto and Perast, Montenegro, taking in the beauty of Our Lady of the Rocks, and soaking up the stories of the long bay....
Greetings from Dubrovnik, Croatia
“Greetings from beautiful Dubrovnik! It is a cool, sunny day, much better weather than our previous visit during last August’s sweltering heat and overwhelming crowds. While still busy today, it was not nearly as packed as during summer’s prime travel...
A Fun Night at the Stud Farm
We had a truly an Az-amazing Evening at the Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia! Having toured the farm on a previous visit, this time we were excited to see the famed white horses perform. Events like this, arranged at no extra cost to passengers and designed to immerse...
A Lovely Day in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Our first port on our Azamara grand voyage was Koper, Slovenia. We had already been wowed by Slovenia’s people, beautifully preserved towns, and natural beauty during an extensive tour in 2017. (Our cover story on our experiences can be accessed with this link....
Travel Gods Weren’t Smiling
It’s been a crazy couple of days since we left Rome, but we finally made it to our ship, our home for the next 62 days. I won’t go into details of the challenges we faced, starting with a sudden change in embarkation ports. No matter how experienced you...
Great Roman Dining: With a Little Help From My Friends
We have many ways to choose restaurants when we travel. Typically, we rely on YouTube, TripAdvisor, and Google Maps for ratings, menu info, hours, and more. Once you learn how to sift through these sources—separating the wheat from the chaff—you can feel confident...
Meet Ron and Mary
Ron and Mary James are award-winning travel journalists with a passion for exploring the world and sharing their adventures. With over a decade of experience, they have traveled to countless destinations, capturing the essence of each place through their vivid storytelling and stunning photography. Their mission is to inspire others to embark on their own journeys and discover the beauty and diversity of our planet.
Join Ron and Mary as they embark on their Grand Voyage Adventure 2024, a three-month odyssey from Rome to Cape Town. Along the way, they will explore ancient wonders, sail the seas aboard the luxurious Azamara Quest, and indulge in the rich culture and flavors of the South African Winelands. With daily updates, you’ll feel like you’re right there with them, experiencing the thrill of discovery and the joy of travel.
What Our Readers Say
“It’s just like being there, Ron. Ah the memories. And the food. Thanks so much for taking us along!”
– Dale Steel
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