golden joy travel

Golden Joy Travel

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Karnak And Luxor Temples Private Tour

West Bank Luxor (valley of the kings - queen Hatshepsut temple -Memnon status)

private Luxor Day-( kings valley, Hatshipsut temple, Memnon, Karnak temples)

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GOLDEN JOY TRAVEL (Luxor) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Golden Joy Travel

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Karnak And Luxor Temples Private Tour

West Bank Luxor (valley of the kings - queen Hatshepsut temple -Memnon status)

private Luxor Day-( kings valley, Hatshipsut temple, Memnon, Karnak temples)

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Golden Joy Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Golden Joy Travel

• See all photos

Karnak And Luxor Temples Private Tour

West Bank Luxor (valley of the kings - queen Hatshepsut temple -Memnon status)

private Luxor Day-( kings valley, Hatshipsut temple, Memnon, Karnak temples)

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Golden Joy Travel - Things You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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The Golden Rules of Retirement Travel

By Stacey Lastoe

This is part of a collection of stories celebrating the many shapes retirement travel can take. Read more here.

Bonni and Bob Gumport travel regularly in their retirement. Not beholden to one short vacation a year (they average seven big ones), their compounding experience has allowed them to develop a code of rules by which they abide— tips and tricks to use wherever they go. After one too many of the small rooms common in boutique hotels, for example, they’ve cut them out entirely. Also out of the question are walking tours within two days of arrival in a new destination, as they prefer to settle in. Their daughter Lauren describes them as “pros on retiree travel,” but they are not the only ones with advice to give.

There are former museum curators who have learned not to overbook themselves; solo travelers who always learn a little of the local language. Adherence to anyone’s rules will never ensure a vacation free of hiccups, where no flight is ever delayed , every tour is worth the hours put in, and every meal sublime . But learning from others may improve your chances of a good time—even when things inevitably go sideways. We’ve spoken to over 20 retired travelers to hear how their Golden Years have informed the way that they travel. Below, find some of their savviest secrets for better trips.

1. Take a ride on the hop-on, hop-off bus tour

If she’s traveling in a city that offers one of those double-decker hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours, Denver -based Heidi Burtoni, 65, who goes on multiple trips per year, is definitely stepping aboard. Burtoni says it’s a great way to figure out the rest of her itinerary, get tips from other travelers and the tour guide, and get a feel for the new city. “It’s the first thing I do to get the lay of the land,” says Burtoni. Her previous career in sales means the frequent solo traveler will “talk to anybody,” so these tours also open the door for socializing and making connections.

Know what to skip—“whether that means avoiding tourist traps, the most sweltering hours at fairs, or not putting yourself in danger by flagging a taxi when it's unsafe," says Lynn Zelevansky.

2. Figure out what to avoid

For Paul and Lynn Zelevansky (77 and 76, respectively), travel is less about hitting all the top spots and more about learning where not to go, “whether that means avoiding tourist traps, the most sweltering hours at fairs, or not putting yourself in danger by flagging a taxi when it’s unsafe.” They visit the Venice Biennale in fall, now, rather than at the opening, to avoid the worst of the crushes—it also helps them more effectively skirt the city's infamous pickpockets (Lynn's wallet was stolen on a crowded vaporetto ferry in 2022).

3. BYOTP (Bring Your Own Toilet Paper)

“Toilet paper in Europe is very scratchy … not good for sensitive parts,” says Florida native Karen Butera, an avid pickleball player who often travels with the sport in mind. Whenever overseas, she always travels with her own toilet paper. Butera, 66, is taking her granddaughter to see Taylor Swift in Paris this summer, and, yes, she will be packing TP—creature comforts are even more crucial on the road than they are at home.

4. Don’t overschedule

Packed-to-the-brim itineraries used to be J. Patrice Marandel’s MO, but these days, the former chief curator at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is more keen on scheduling “plenty of time for the unexpected.” Gone are the nonstop days with planned breakfasts, lunches, and dinners; instead, Marandel, 79, leaves room for the possibility of something unexpected and “exciting.” It often pays off.

5. Pack light

Buffalo, New York-based Lisa LaLonde, 74, and her travel companion Antoinette Judelsohn, 70, whom she’s been traveling with for over a decade, are pros at packing light . The pals can manage for a month on very little, relying on the versatility of black leggings and black tops, says LaLonde. The trick? Develop a travel uniform, bring just a few versions, and wash undergarments as necessary, says Judelsohn. Big suitcases stuffed to the brim with a ton of different outfits are more of a hassle than a luxury. “They’re a pain in the neck if you’re getting on a train or off a train … or moving from one city to another,” says LaLonde.

“Anybody and their brother with an RV travels on Sunday,” warns Jenelle Jones.

6. Don't get (too) excited

Judelsohn, a former teacher who met LaLonde when they worked together at the same school in Buffalo, has another travel rule that’s served her well: Letting go of expectations. “I never get excited about a trip,” says Judelsohn. Instead, the savvy traveler lets the excitement emerge based on what's in front of her in the moment.

7. Avoid traveling on Sundays

RVer Jenelle Jones, 64, is against traveling on Sundays. As she puts it, “anybody and their brother with an RV travels on Sunday.” Long weekend RVers who have to get back for work on Monday use Sundays to head home, so retired Jones, 64, simply avoids the day altogether. It's also, according to her, the “biggest day to get in an RV wreck”— yet another reason to sit back and relax. You have nowhere you need to be, after all. Take advantage.

8. Learn a few words of the local language

Charlotte Simpson , whose blog Traveling Black Widow documents her travels (100 countries and counting so far), says her number one travel rule is to learn a few key phrases—hello, goodbye, please, thank you—in the dominant language of the places she visits. Simpson says her efforts are always well received. “I just find, inevitably, it sort of stuns people when I even just say good morning.” Simpson, who prefers not to reveal her age, says she gets a lot out of bridging the language gap with just a few words: “It just makes people so friendly and so happy that you took this moment to learn [their language].”

9. Travel slower

When you cram too much into a single trip, “the whole experience just kind of becomes a blur,” say Gillian Batt, 43, and Stephanie Myers, 51, whose blog Our Freedom Years documents their early retirement and subsequent travels. The couple, who hail from Ontario, Canada, say staying in one place for an extended period of time helps them avoid travel burnout, keep costs low, and enjoy the whole experience more. All that rushing around on limited PTO? Well behind them.

For RVers like Norm, keeping things flexible is key.

10. Go your own way

The pandemic crystallized things for Kim Kelly Stamp , 65, and her wife Liz Schick, 62, who left it all behind and decided to travel around the country in a red 21-foot teardrop trailer. They’ve since gotten really good at going with the flow. “We know where we’re going to stay along the way, but we hold that really loosely and give ourselves the opportunity to make something else happen,” explains Stamp. This approach led them to Laurel, Mississippi, where the HGTV show Hometown —of which Stamp and Schick are big fans of, is based. Instead of following a regimented schedule, they followed their passion when the road forked, literally.

11. Keep an open heart and mind

In spite of being seasoned travelers, John and Bev Martin, 60, who started the RetirementTravelers site to share their journey with others, admit they still need to remind themselves that they can’t control everything. “We have to be patient and receptive to the lessons the world is trying to teach,” says the couple. One that keeps coming up? “Retirement is not the time to stop dreaming about new and different routes in life.”

12. Do your research

The Gumports appreciate getting a taste of the local culture wherever they are traveling, and they’re not opposed to tours or experiences that deliver on this front. But Bonni has a few words of advice: “If you’re looking at purchasing something that uses words such as ‘bespoke, artisanal, farm-to-table’ and more fluffy adjectives, make sure these experiences are as authentic as they sound.” Read reviews thoroughly and take the time to research before you buy, advises Bonni. It's fun to be spontaneous, but it's easy to be misled by clever marketing and buzzwords.

13. It’s a marathon—not a sprint

It wasn’t long before Brenda Huyhn adopted—and adapted— a popular van-lifer rule: Don’t travel more than 3 hours, get in by 3 p.m., and stay at least 3 nights. Huyhn, who at 47 retired earlier than many, is adamant about not trying to do too much in one day to avoid burnout. She and her husband take their time, prioritizing “quality over quantity” with their stops and stays. It makes the entire experience all the richer.

14. You can always head home

Diana Petterson is on track to hit the 100-country mark just in time for her 70th birthday in 2026. But as much as the Black solo traveler loves seeing the world, she’s not afraid to ditch a trip if something isn’t working out. “Wherever I am in the world, if for whatever reason I am uncomfortable, or I don't feel well … I’m going to plop down that credit card , and get home.”

15. Start the day early to avoid the crowds

Artist Simma Liebman, 76, enjoys going to museums while visiting new cities and places. But since the retiree is immunocompromised, she plans these outings a little differently. Now Liebman hits the museums “as early in the day as possible” and masks up while taking in the art "unless there are very few people inside.” Whatever your motivation, rising early is something you can be sure the hordes of 20-something backpackers won't be doing. Beat them to all the best spots.

“I like a very good hotel, but not necessarily the best,” says Betty. Focus on getting the right location.

16. Base yourself strategically

Betty, 80, an art collector who declined to share her last name, has found that mid-sized hotels (meaning about 200 rooms) in central locations, with just enough of the services she wants and needs, do the job. “I like a very good hotel, but not necessarily the best,” says Betty. As long as you have the basics covered, it's really about location, location, location.

17. Don’t wait for tomorrow

Instead of putting off travel for a later date, Chicago -based Ruthie Maldonado-Delwiche advises those interested in exploring the world to get out there and “do it now.” Because “tomorrow isn’t promised,” Maldonado-Delwiche, who’s been traveling since she retired in 2017, says. Don't wait if there’s something you want to do or a place you want to visit.

Former psychiatrist Ann Heaslett, 60, who aims to run the six major world marathons in her retirement, feels exactly the same way. “There’s no time like the present.”

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Rolanda Chambers

Golden voyage travel, llc.

The GVT All Family Reunion 2023

Jun 25, 2023 to Jul 2, 2023

The caribbean & the bahamas.

JUNE 25-JULY 2, 2023

Welcome to The GVT All Family Reunion 2023 experience. What is a family? That term has evolved over the years. The traditional family still exists, but there are so many different iterations of family now. On the MSC Meraviglia, we will celebrate all families while taking The Caribbean & The Bahamas by storm. So, no matter what your family looks like, or if you don't have family close to you, you are welcomed to enjoy everything that our family has to offer. C'mon, Play Cousins. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for you and your family.

Oh yeah! Make sure you check out this video .

What's included in this trip :

• Choice of Interior, Ocean View or Balcony Accommodations
• All meals and drinks at the buffets and meals in the main dining room
• Special Group Activities
• A Scavenger Hunt
• GVT All Family Reunion Gift Bag
• Taxes, fees and port charges...and much more!!!
• Travel insurance (available with consultation)
•  Gratuities (available for prepayment or payable onboard)
•  Roundtrip Ground Transportation (Group transportation will be available)
•  Drink Packages ($-$$)
•  Excursions ($-$$$)
• Specialty Dining ($)
• Day 1 (Sunday, June 25, 2023) : Arrive at New York, NY and embark on the cruise ship. Time: 12:00 p.m. 
• Day 2 (Monday, June 26, 2023) : Today, we will enjoy a full day of cruising on the high seas. Our first group activity will take place onboard. Time/Location: TBD
• Day 3 (Tuesday, June 27, 2023) : Next, we'll sail to Port Canaveral. Explore the port on your own or enjoy an excursion. Time: 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
• Day 4 (Wednesday, June 28, 2023 ) : On this day, Ocean Cay is our destination. This is MSC's private island, and it's amazing. Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm.  
• Day 5 (Thursday, June 29, 2023) : Nassau is next. Rent a scooter; go parasailing...the sky's the limit! Time: 11:00 am - 7:30 pm. 
• Day 6 (Friday, June 30, 2023 ) : Today is a full day of cruising. More fun activities await you. Shhh...I can't tell you, because it's a secret. 
• Day 7 (Saturday, July 1, 2023) : This is our last day at sea. Enjoy your family. Later at our farewell dinner, we will announce the winner(s) of the scavenger hunt.
• Day 8 (Sunday, July 2, 2023) : Whew!! We're done. It's been an experience. Now, it's time to disembark in New York for your journey home. Time: 7:00 a.m.
• Please be sure that you have read our Terms & Conditions.
• Due to strict contractual obligations, all payments are NON-REFUNDABLE.
• Travel insurance is not included in this package; however, we highly recommend it. We will be happy to provide you with information to obtain insurance. You are not obligated to use the company we recommend. 
• All payments must be made on time to maintain your reservation.
• Payments not received within 48 hours of the due date each month will incur an automatic $25 late fee. If the late fee and payment are not received within 2 business days after notification of lateness, the reservation will be suspended. If the late fee and payment are not received within 7 calendar days of the original due date, the reservation will be cancelled.
• We understand that obstacles arise. Therefore, you will be permitted one request for late payment. Any late payment requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected].
• Any reservations not paid in full by the final payment date will be cancelled and all monies forfeited.
• Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents. Passports are not required but are recommended.
• Reservations must be made in your FULL NAME as it appears on your passport or government-issued ID. 
• While all Covid-19 requirements have been dropped, keep in mind that protocols continue to evolve and may change before sailing. If testing and/or vaccination requirements are reinstated, you will be notified immediately.

Available Packages

Interior stateroom unavailable as of november 30, 2022, starting at: $702.00 deposit: $75.00 per person, ocean view stateroom unavailable as of november 30, 2022, starting at: $712.00 deposit: $75.00 per person.

Catch a glimpse of what's going by from your Ocean View stateroom aboard RCCL Liberty of the Seas, where you'll get views you won’t find anywhere on land. Don’t miss sunrise and sunset at sea —your comfy stateroom is the best way to experience these! Two twin beds that convert to Royal King and bathroom. Up to 4 guests. Stateroom: 180 sq. ft. 

Balcony Stateroom Unavailable as of November 30, 2022

Starting at: $812.00 deposit: $75.00 per person.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard the RCCL Liberty of the Seas. Any time you're in your stateroom, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel. Two twin beds that convert to Royal King, sitting area, private balcony and bathroom. Up to 4 guests. Stateroom: 184 sq. ft. Balcony: 66 sq. ft. 

Extra Options

Prepaid gratuities unavailable as of march 24, 2023, $87.50 deposit: $87.50.

MSC will add a daily gratuity to every guest’s onboard account. The daily gratuity can be paid onboard if not prepaid prior to embarkation.  Prepaid guests will not be impacted by this automatic process and will not see additional charges on their folio account.

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Moscow, the entrancing capital of Russia, is a hub of science, culture, and education. Lingering monuments from the USSR era lend a fascinating glimpse into Russia's Soviet history, while remnants of its imperial past hearken back to the days of the tsars. Book yourself on one of many flights to Moscow , take your pick of the Moscow hotels, and prepare to be amazed by this dynamic and alluring city.

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