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
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...
Three Coins in a Dry Fountain
Mary and I visited the Trevi Fountain today, only to find it drained and walled off with a glass partition. The cleaning and refurbishment are part of the city’s preparation for a grand festival or Jubilee next year. Despite the crowds, the Trevi was strangely...
Trastevere’s Charms: A Perfect Roman Evening
This evening, we capped a perfect Roman autumn day at Caffè Marzio, a prime people-watching spot in Piazza di Santa Maria. The heart of Trastevere, this historic piazza, is home to the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria, one of the city’s oldest churches. As Mary...
The Pantheon: A Travel Lesson
There’s a travel lesson to be learned from our tour of the Pantheon yesterday. We’ve stayed in Rome three times previously, twice just a block from the Pantheon. Back then, there was no charge to enter, so we simply walked in, looked around, and thought, “Pretty cool...
A Very Roman Food Tour
We enjoyed an informative and mouth-watering food tour yesterday, exploring the flavors of Rome’s Campo de’ Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, and our very own neighborhood Trastevere. We haven’t been to the Italian capital in eight years, so a food tour was a...
Jet Lag, Day 2
Jet lag, day two. I woke up at 2:30 am and tried to count all of our previous travel adventures to go back to sleep — which I did at about 6 am. Despite that, we managed over 9000 steps exploring Trastevere before lunch. We’ve enjoyed three very good meals...
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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