Pat AitkenOwner - Certified Travel Advisor
With over 27 years of experience, I am your go-to "resident expert" for all things Europe, 7 of those recent years were with AAA Oregon/Idaho. As a Viking River Cruises Master Cruise Expert and an AMA Waterways Certified Advisor, I offer unparalleled insights into river cruising across Europe, Africa, Vietnam, Egypt, and now Colombia with AmaWaterways. Whether you're interested in the luxurious journeys offered by Riviera Travel, which caters to travelers aged 12 and up and offers special SOLO River Cruises, or ocean adventures with Norwegian, Princess, and Regent, I've got you covered. Luxury river cruising in Europe, Asia, or Egypt promises a blend of relaxation, history, and fun. I've been through many international airports, and understand the hassle that they can bring. It's always nice to know WHY the longer layover is needed.
Being a Certified Destination Specialist (Germany, France, Spain & Italy) helps when planning trips to Europe too. Thinking of gathering family and friends together for a relaxing week or more? Think Vacation Rental (NOT VRBO or Air BnB) --we have VETTED suppliers for ski vacations, Europe, Caribbean, Asia, Mexico and Hawaii that I have personnaly known and used for 22 plus years.
My expertise extends beyond Europe. I am a Master Certified Destination Expert for all the Hawaiian Islands. Having lived on Oahu and frequently return to the islands, I know Hawaii intimately. Whether you wish to explore Oahu, relax at Ka'anapali Beach on Maui, bask on Kauai's diverse beaches, visit Hanalei Bay, or discover the vast Waipiʻo Valley on the Big Island or need suggestions for the best beaches on the Big Island, I can craft the almost perfect itinerary. Capture the unique beauty and culture of Hawaii, and don't forget to bring back some Hawaiian salt, coffee, and rum!
Additionally, I'm a Certified Mexpert for Mexico (Cancun-Riviera Maya--soon to be extended to the Cabo San Lucas area) and a Certified Specialist for Sandals Resorts. As a Certified Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialist, I provide expert guidance to ensure every moment of your vacation is unforgettable. Let me help you discover the best destination for your next adventure.
One last thing. My strongest suggestion is: Always get Travel Insurance as you never know! Read Terms and Conditions plus Covered Reasons carefully.
Phone:
Call: 541-622-8284
Text Only: 541-613-237
Email:
Address:
LadyBug Destinations
Medford, OR 97504
Viking River Cruises Master Cruise Expert, AMA Waterways Certified Advisor, Hawaii Master Certified Destination Expert, Certified Destination Specialist for Spain, Italy, Germany, and France
Europe, Asia, Hawaii, Caribbean, USA-North America, Mexico
Europe, Alaska, Japan, Hong Kong, Egypt, Mekong River, Douro River, Rhine Valley, Africa, Interlaken, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Austria
Romance and Honeymoons, Yacht Cruising, River Cruises, ocean cruises hawaii mexico, Villa, Casita and Castle Stays
Cruise, Hotel/Resort, Rail, Tour
English, French Spanish, Italian, German
Curated trips designed for unforgettable memories
Amsterdam, Germany, Austria, Hungary, France
Started in Amsterdam for 5 days, train thru middle of Germany to Erlangen then on the Jarl boarded River Cruise ship for the trip. Office to Regensburg and Nuremburg, down to Budapest. The trip meant a starting point in Regensburg and Nuremburg where Christas markets were just starting to be setting up, taking a bus tour around the old German Headquarters and various WWII museums and historical landmarks in Nuremburg. Took a bus trip down the Autobahn and through a German forest--you could "feel" the spirits and the war vibe even then to Passau. Passau meant lunch on the Danube, seeing one of the largest pipe organ in the world in St Stephens. Walking around Passau was a delight, back to the ship and off to an unplanned but beautiful Wachau Valley small ship cruise and it's interesting way of growing wine in terraced mountains. The Melk Abbey with 63 stairs to the Abbey, I did count them, and a lavender drink made by the Monks. Off to Vienna and Christmas Markets tht were up and running, plus I took time to see the Lippizaner's in training, walking around, having tortes and coffee - as Vienna is, and was not, a place I had not been before. More sausage and beer from a "Cable Car" look (like San Francisco). Then dinner, relaxing and going thru the locks on the way to Budapest and cruising by Slovakia. Budapest has tons to offer and one should always try to plan a few extra days. Then to Paris and home to Portland via Salt Lake City, which was the first point of entry, thereby Customs.
Honolulu, Oahu
A trip to Honolulu and Waikiki to take part in a wedding of close high school friends from long ago. GThe wedding was at the Kaanapali Beach Resort, where most of us stayed. The wedding party had a condo at the Embassy Suites next door, a tie share that they owned for years. The wedding was on the beach at sunset and, if you are going to get married there...a Sunset Wedding is one you won't every forget.
A trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center out on North Shore by Laie, which took an entire day and evening, great food, people and luau. The PCC is run by the Mormon Church and is very well done.
Trip to Dole Plantation to get pineapples. Dinner and drinks at the Embassy for a couple nights running and we always ate near the huge fish aquarium which was very relaxing with good friends and great company. Brought home a fresh lei which of course caused me to get searched at LAX on return.
Hong Kong, Land Between and not Macau
Spent 10 days in Hong Kong years ago in a high rise hotel with a roof top pool where you could swim and look over the city of Hong Kong. We walked down the streets one night at 3 a.m. and ran into a Chinese celebration of families, kids, and dragons - it was beautiful and very exciting.
Took a ferry across to Kowloon where I ate at a local Burger King because I really like their potato with cheese and broccoli -- I really wanted to see if it tasted the same in Hong Kong...not quite as actually it was better. (and, this was years ago). I found a bookstore and got some cat books - which I still have. Plus every place I have gone I always take photos of cats - I keep saying I am going to do a Cat Photo Book for Coffee Tables!
One night we went out to the Jumbo Restaurant, which meant you had to go by a tender to get out there. It was exciting, the restaurant was actually a huge Chinjese Junk with, as I rememeber, at least 4 decks for people to roam around and maybe 3 below that for cooks, etc. The ship had a lot of history, a lat of art and pictures everywhere. The actual dining room was huge and quite an experience. The food was literally out of this world good. The weather was good so there was no ship movement or vibration while we were there. (Note: the Jumbo was hauled out to sea years ago and scuttled. That was sad to hear because it was really a staple of Hong Kong to many.)
One whole day was spent up at Stanley's Market where we were taken via bus. Did a lot of walking and shopping, after all, it IS Stanley's Market! At the end of the day, encumbered with many sacks, we rode the sky tram back down and took the ferry back to the hotel via and bypassing Kowloon.
One day we went out to the Land Between, an interesting place. Very few people were still living out there when we were there. I happened to be in Hong Kong not long after the Red Chinese took it back over. There were many signs out and about that sad no photos were allowed. Then, we were all still lugging cameras around our necks....cell phones were still years out. So when, they said no photos, there were no photos because you really did not want your cameras to be confiscated!
One of my friends took the jet boat (a huge yacht in reality) to Macau. I did not go and in hindsight, years later, I wish I had gone. Macau hooked her and she's been back many many times.
Back to the States on a long flight to San Francisco. But this was well worth the time.
Rome, Spanish Steps, Trastavere, Vatican
Ah, what to do? Arrive in Rome, go thru Customs with no problems and then a private car to deliver me to the door of the Dei Mellini and to be escorted out by the white gloves of the doorman , then led to the door. Does that not sound like an Italian Dream? Well, it was and it really did happen just like that. First of all, it meant another flight via London/Heathrow which even in good times can be a trying time to one's soul. (But that does mean a stop at Harrod's! After that stop then across the hall to a duty free shop to get Walker's Shortbread -ot the kind you can get here at Marshalls or Costco.)
Rome is always a wonder and so much fun to be in. After breakfast, a walk across the Tibur River to get a Hop On/Off bus tour just for fun because I really know where I want to go but it's fun to go and do some serious people watching. Sit on the top deck, go out to the main train terminal, then come back around where I get off near the Spanish Steps, go for a gelato (one of the times where you could still sit on the steps and eat your gelato -- no more). Then wander around the shops - there is one near the Coliseum that has Valentino dresses - way out of my price range but they are beautiful. If you are there near sunset when the lights come on....the Coliseum is beautiful. Earlier in the afternoon the Trevi Fountain is bubbly and people need to remember IF they throw a coin in, to do it over the right shoulder. Trastevere is a lovely place to stop for a coffee, and small shops to go into. The Dei Mellini has great meals and a drink on the balcony in the evening brings the beauty of Rome to you at night. The Vatican is a walk not far away. Enjoy Rome.
Athens, Crete and Santorini
Flight from Oregon via Los Angeles to Healthrow on Air New Zealand, a great way to fly that long distance even though it was coach...the seats were bigger more leg room room, excellent food and wine all the way plus movies. I always take a book wherever I go. Stopping for a layover and plane change in London, which meant food in the food court, souveniers in Harrod's at the airport and then onward to Athens. Flight over the Alps but not a lot of snow on them.
Athens - Arrival in Athens, stayed at the Grand Bretagne, in a room with a small balcony and view of Syntagma Square and Parliament Building, a 5 minute walk from the Plaka...more credit card spending! Dinner and breakfast on top of the hotel with views of the Acropolis and the rest of the City. The Acropolis - do go. Roman History surrounds you in Athens. The museum was at the bottom of the hill and another place not to miss. Plus the First Olympic Stadium, on a warm day you can sit on a bench and pretend. The Hop On/Off tours should be done, visit the Parthenon. Wear sturdy shoes because whether it is wet or dry, it is always slippery since the area has been walked on for centuries and worn to the point where it's slippery no matter the weather. Drink lots of water. Dinner at an outdoor Taverna - great food and sights...and people watching!
Crete - very quiet with lots of European and traffic from the UK since it's close, basically non touristy (?) and has excellent places to stay. Plus the best spa at Elounda and the Blue Place. Off in the distance from the hotel room is Spinalonga Island, a previous leper colony island similar to Molokai in Hawaii that is now a tourist attraction via boat. A couple of days of relaxation there with the blue Mediterranean Sea and tghen to Santorini. Have a spa treatment...ah!! Food is comprised of a lot of fish and salad.Meal times are an affair of the heart in Europe and especially Greece, expect 3 hours for food.
Off to Santorini via the hydrofoil (jet ferry boat). Views of Santorini is what everyone thinks of when they think "Greece"...blue topped white buildings with lots of stairs. Visit the caldera by water - either walk back to the top or take the Funicular...do NOT take the donkeys. 3 days of eating, shopping, sightseeing and gifts. Off to Athens and home via Amsterdam.
Rome, Bari &The Adriatic Peninsula
Back to Rome for a couple of days, because once in Rome is never enough. Wine, pizza, gelato and walking the Tibur River, the Coliseum during the day, Spanish Steps and more people...so it's off to Termini and boarding the train to Bari! Arrive in Bari then take a car to Masseria Montenapoleone and a stay for 4 days. Upon arrival, a greeting by cats (!) yes, plus a chilled glass of red wine (or white if you prefer), and escorted to a beautiful room with outstanding finisihes and a bath - that you don't want to leave! Then off to tour the grounds....the pool, the gardens and the trees and the cat guardians follow you wherever you go.
There is a boundless beautiful breakfast buffett, then hop in a car to go visiting a vineyard with really really old (centuries) olive trees. Thene olive oil and bread tasting time with, of course, vino. This olive oil farm has different types of oil to taste and of course, bottles to purchase. 4 and 6 to a pack--take home and bring out for your next Scrabble game on Friday nights. Then off to Ostuni for the rest of the day.
The next day is a day of rest in the morning and a delightful cooking class at the Masseria in the afternoon plus in the evening you get to eat what you made by the fireplace.
Another breakfast then off to Locorotondo where we saw witches hanging overhead - there was a celebration that day and an interesting town to traipse through in the morning. Afternoon found us in Alberobello and the Trulli houses. We were fortunate enough to have someone that knew one of the homeowners who graciously let us tour their house. These are such interesting cone shapped roof houses. We stopped for lunch which got us cheese and crackers and meat plus Wine! Then off to do some shopping - it was so much fun and Christmas presents with lace and other Italian goodies were had. Back to the Masseria and dinner with friends gathered around the fireplace once again. We all shared stories of travel and experiences gained over the years.
The next day ended our stay at the Masseria and the cats even came out to bid us farewell. They did not get in suitcases -- unlike my cats who always want to get in and go! Off to Brindisi by train once more for a couple of days where we managed to take a LONG drive over to Matera. I am so glad we decided to do that as we ate in a marvelous place, or cave, down by the seawall. The restaurant had an outstanding wine cellar in a circular room by itself. It would take days to read all the labels but whatever you decided to drink, it was excellent. Matera is a place all its own. You can see the caves across the valley from the center of town. Lots of hills and lots of stairs - but that is Italy. More excellent food and libations as well as gelato!
Spent the next day walking araound Brindisi, some shopped (not me) and some just walked around the town to see what was what. That would be me. I did sit down and go through my camera viewing the pictures I had taken from the train on the way down as it was an interesting, yet fast, ride. I think Brindisi was where a Cardinal came for some reason, it was a Holy Day, to one of the most beautiful churches I've seen in Italy and all the polizi and dignataries met him, rolled out a red carpet for His Holiness to walk on into the church. Everyone not invited was invited to leave.
The next morning we hopped on the train for a short ride to Lecce, which took about 2 hours. Of course we got there in time to drop luggage and eat, once again. Then we walked all over - to the sea and saw fishermen bringing in their catch of the day. Went up by a cathedral and turned left going up and out to see the Adriatic Sea hitting the sea wall on that side of Lecce. It was an interesting place and once again really fun people to meet. Off to Rome after 2 days, some went home and I went on to a Villa outside of Rome for a couple of days. Another story, another day.
Real experiences from real travelers
"- Hi Pat! I've had a wonderful time in Jamaica at Secrets Wild Orchids in Montego Bay. I'm due to leave tomorrow, 2/3 but looks like flight cancellations are going to happen because of the winter storm. Do you have a moment to discuss options? Yes, (weather) mostly very good. We had rain Sunday though part of the day Monday but it wasn't bad. It's beautiful here. I've decided I must do this again. Hopefully next year. Home! I will definitely do a trip like this again!!!! Thank you! (after a long winter weather and air cancellations from Jamaica)
Jamaica Kathy D (Ohio) January 2022"
— Kathy D Xenia Ohio
"Patricia Aiken has booked several trips for me over the last 10 years, including complicated international trips. Her expertise, knowledge and professionalism makes her a joy to work with; I heartily recommend her to anyone planning to travel."
— Susanne S (Corvallis OR)
"The Skip the line Vatican worked great. Really good Coliseum/ Pantheon tour! We loved the Hop on hop off. We couldn't get tickets for Borgese museum- should have booked couple of days earlier. We enjoyed the park, though. We like hotel Oxford on our week pre-stay- they had a great little restaurant. We did cruise excursions of Pompeii/ Sorrento and cinque terre and they were excellent. Took a double decker bus tour of Ajaccio and a tram tour of Canne. Wished we had done a cruise excursion to Monto Carlo/ Monaco. Very nice. Loved the car service both ways with Roberto’s. It really was a perfect trip thanks to you!! Yes!! It was a zoo! (About Vatican and crowds) We'll use you next time!"
— Janet B (Florida)
Call: 541-622-8284
Text Only: 541-613-2375
FL Seller of Travel # ST38545
CA Seller of Travel # 2071045-50
Medford, OR 97504
