Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

As 2023 winds down, we want to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

So, raise your glasses all, to toast with us,

“True Christmas Cheer, Happy Holidays, and to a Prosperous New Year.!”

We are so thankful you trust us and we got to help you with your travels.

We look forward to helping in the future as need

We hope you enjoy these pictures of the holidays and since we can’t toast you in person, please let our pictures be the next best thing!

Remember:

Savor life…make memories….Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

Anne and Hank

Santa joins us in Kastel Engleberg for a formal dinner on Christmas Eve 2018 in the Netherlands.

2018 Rhine Christmas Markets cruise—Anne and Hank in our Scottish Formal Wear on the AmaKristina!

2019 Christmas Cruise Anne and Hank with Santa on AmaWaterways on the AmaSonata

Our 2023 Cunard Sailing in our formal wear—Anne (stunning, isn’t she!) and Hank on Masked Ball Night.

A few Christmas Decorations on our fireplace mantle—even our German nutcracker wants to toast you!

A toast to you from Brugge, Belgium during the Christmas Holidays

Santa giving out presents in 2015 on an AmaWaterways Christmas Markets Cruise on the AmaPrima.

Anne and Hank with our new hats we bought in Regensburg, Germany with the owner of the Hutkonig , who made our hats. We are at the Thurn & Taxis Christmas Markets.

2016 Rhone River Cruise—a toast to you!

2013 Anne in a toast to you from Koblenz, Germany

2023 another toast to you from Vilshofen, Germany

2021 Frankfurt Christmas Markets—Anne lets Little Bear meet her Cousin Big Bear

Frankfurt Christmas Markets 2021

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

2023 has been a very good year for us in our travel business, and it is all because many of you have trusted us with your travel plans.  We are humble and grateful for the trust and hope we had added value to your trip plans and travel experiences.  It is just one of many things we have to be thankful for in our lives.

So, I thought I would pass on some random facts about a proclamation 234 years ago from our first president and thoughts about Thanksgiving.

George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

At the urging of both Houses of Congress, President George Washington declared “Thursday the 26th Day of November to render “sincere and humble thanks”.  The message was primarily praise of Almighty God, but 2 parts stood out to me.

First, President Washington, after the end of the Revolutionary War states that after the conclusion of the late war “for the great degree of tranquility, union and plenty which we have enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been able to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness” as a good reason to be thankful.

Second, later in the proclamation, he adds he wishes that “to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to preform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all people by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed.”  Again, another reason to be thankful.

These are some amazing words at the foundation of our nation, from a man who many wanted to be King instead of an elected president.

We are lucky in many ways to have the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms our system of government allows; despite the very partisan divisions we face currently and many challenges we face as a nation.  We are thankful we have this system of government, as should you be thankful also.

Things We are Thankful for this Thanksgiving.

I guess to start with things I am thankful for every Thanksgiving Day, it would be the 3 F’s—Family, Food and Football.  Despite some strong personalities, and differing beliefs in many families, it is family that is the fabric of life—close relationships so vital to the human existence.  Anne and I are thankful that we can share our lives with our family members.

Food is the source of joy and necessary to our survival and plays a key role in our lives and travel business.  As we enjoy these wonderful delights today and other days, I am constantly reminded of how lucky we are to indulge and have great empathy for those who don’t have enough.  We are thankful we get to enjoy this bounty and hope in some small way we can help others enjoy good food during their travels and our small donations help to feed others.

Football is a constant in my life—I will never forget my first live football game of Army vs. Navy in my sophomore year of high school, which in many ways, led me to choose to go to West Point.  I played football in high school and coached at the high school level for 16 years after retiring from the Army and am thankful many parents trusted me to help young boys grow into better young men to help our nation.  We all need some form of emotional experiences in our lives and football for me has provided a lifetime of ups and downs, yet it is only a game and should be looked at in that manner—there are many things far more important about who wins or loses.  Still, it is fun to root for your favorite team on turkey day.

Our Clients

We would not be in business without you, our loyal travelers.  We have always looked at you as friends, not clients, who deserve our best efforts.  You are a demanding lot, as it should be, and our only goal is to provide with the best travel experience, we can. 

We are so grateful—you folks rock!

Our Final Thoughts

We all have many things to be thankful for.  It is a time to reflect and express your thankfulness for your many wonderful things that are part of your life.

Please reach out to someone today and every day you can to tell the people in your lives you love them, appreciate them and are thankful you know them. 

So, from both of us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts—please be safe, healthy, happy, and prosperous—it is our wish for all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts.  We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe.  We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you.  We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip.  You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.  And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process.  We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you!  We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel.  Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com .  We want to help you:  Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations!  Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management.  Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry.  Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA.  Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations.  She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors.  An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 52 years.  He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).  This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years.  He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees.   His other Certifications:

• AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist

• Viking River Cruise Specialist

• Scenic River Cruise Specialist

• Emerald Waterways Specialist

• Avalon Waterways Specialist

• Brit Agent

St. Patrick's Day 2023

St. Patrick’s Day 2022

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

The 17th of March is celebrated as St. Patrick’s Day.

We are in Budapest for a River Cruise Expo one day before the big event—according to Wikipedia, St. Patrick’s Day is the most celebrated festival in the world.

So, let’s explore together and learn about St. Patrick’s Day.

Some Facts About St. Patrick’s Day

Gnomes decorating our home for St. Patrick’s Day 2023.

The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was in the US, not Ireland.

The are no female leprechauns.

St. Patrick was born in England, not Ireland.

Lagend has it he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

The Chicago River is turned Green for about 5 hours on St. Patrick’s Day.  In 1993, I actually marched in my first St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago as a member of the staff of St. John’s Military Academy (a private boarding school for boys—I was the athletic director and head football coach.).

St. Patrick’s Day for the Schrader’s

Our Best Adventure has to be Marching in a Parade in Sligo, Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day

Hank (Buzz Lightyear) and Anne (Jessie) —dressed as Disney Characters from Toy Story in the Sligo St. Partrick’s Day Parade 2009.

A pint during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Sligo, Ireland 2009

Our Final Thoughts

Happy St. Patrick’s Day—may the luck of the Irish be with you for the rest of your lives!

We hope you enjoyed this report.

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts.  We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe.  We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you.  We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip.  You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.  And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process.  We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you!  We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel.  Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com.  We want to help you:  Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations!  Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management.  Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry.  Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA.  Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations.  She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors.  An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 50 years.  He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).  This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years.  He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees.   His other Certifications:

• AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist

• Viking River Cruise Specialist

• Scenic River Cruise Specialist

• Emerald Waterways Specialist

• Avalon Waterways Specialist

• Brit Agent

Merry Christmas 2022

As 2022 winds down, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Travel finally returned to almost normal and we were honored to help many folks travel this year and have many other folks planning to travel in 2023 and 2024 with our help.

We value you so much, it is beyond mere words to express our appreciation and love for you.

We got to take 3 business trips this year. We thought we could share some of our joy of travel by these pictures of our adventures and perhaps put a smile or two on your face as you browse them.

We wish you all health, peace, prosperity, and safety in the 2023 and in the future. It is with deep gratitude and respect that we feel for all of you who trusted us with your travel plans and dreams, that makes us want to continue trying to help you all have best trips possible. We stand ready to help in the future when the need arises to have journeys that are meaningful and memorable.

Thanks for your trust in us! Please share a toast to you and your families during these holidays. We promise we will toast you all during our celebrations!

Remember to: Savor Life . . . Make Memories . . . Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

Anne and Hank

The entrance to the dining room on the AmaSonata decorated for Christmas. It was our 7th Christmas Markets cruise,

Anne and Hank in Brugge

Our October cruise on the Essence of Burgundy cruise.

Hank and Anne at the Chef’s Table on the AmaSonata.

Anne looking awesome in Trier, Germany.

Libby, who doesn’t get to go on our adventures, wants us to come back soon, so she can chase burger (in her mouth) and play with us again.

Little Bear gets to go. He really like Munich and likes to pose with beers.

Little Bear really likes to meet other bears. He especially liked this friendly bear in Rothenburg ob Tauber, Germany.

Little Bear and Lenny (he doesn’t always get to go) ready for a nap in Regensburg, Germany.

Little Bear wondering where we will all go in 2023—he’s ready!

Thanksgiving 2021

There is a lot to be thankful for, despite all the challenges of 2021, especially in the travel business.

We wish you all a safe, wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving. May the rest of the year and 2022 be a great year for you and those important to you.

Here is a picture of Anne and Hank (it is one of Anne’s favorite pictures of us together) on a AmaWaterways river cruise on the Rhone River on Thanksgiving Day.

As you can see, we are toasting you, our family, friends, and clients—you have made our lives better by knowing you!

Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anne and Hank