Wish You Were Here
SLOVENIA: Walnut Creek resident Cornelia Pineda and Concord resident Luann McKemie took a 16-day tour last fall that included Montenegro, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia and Budapest, Hungary. This castle, Cornelia said, is Slovenia’s Predjama Castle. “It is wedged into the stone cliffside. Erazem Predjama, owner of the castle in the 15th century, used a secret tunnel to collect supplies, mostly cherries, while the castle was being endlessly attacked.” Travel tips: Fall weather is “perfect” — very little rain and average temperatures in the 70s. “The locals spoke English. The people were very friendly. Clothes should be comfortable and casual dress was all that was needed for the tour. Shout out to Overseas Adventure Travel for a fantastic tour!”
BAJA CALIFORNIA: Felton residents Ron and Joan Raymond, front, and the entire 24-member Raymond clan — from Las Vegas, Denver, Felton, Ben Lomond and Scotts Valley — took a three-day cruise to Baja last August. “All of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had a wonderful time together,” Joan said. “This was a Christmas gift to the family from Ron and me. We love to spend time with our family and this seemed like a good way to do it. It was a wonderful bonding time.” The group included, from the top, Brandon, Andrew and Robert Raymond; Noelle Raymond, Michael Mendez and Tyler Raymond; Kimie Raymond, Bethanne and Ron Raymond, Junior; Ronnie Raymond III, Alejandra and Micah Mendez and Jerry Raymond; Kyle, Taylor Raymond and Yovette Raymond, holding Alesso Mendez; Bryce and Guy Raymond; and Kaylee, Caitlyn and Gemma Raymond.
Travel tips: “Plan way ahead for any large group cruise or gathering. It was quite a feat for everyone to arrange their schedules. I used a travel agent — Cruises, Etc. in San Jose — and it was a lifesaver.”
ALASKA:
San Leandro residents Donald and Linda Pollard and their Oakland friends Jeff and Cheryl Perenon celebrated their 45th wedding anniversaries with a 10-day Alaskan cruise aboard the Grand Princess. The trip included a stop atop the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Linda said, which was “breathtaking!!!”
Travel tips: Be sure to browse the cruise’s excursion options and choose the “once-in-a-lifetime excursions,” Linda said. “Be sure to pack for dressing in layers.”