July 2026 - Discovery

7/10/2026

YP journeys

Volume 3 • Issue 7.1

DISCOVERY EDITION

Welcome!

As travelers, many of us love dreaming about the next great adventure just as much as taking it. This month, I'd like to introduce a small change to YP journeys that I hope you'll enjoy.

Beginning this month, YP journeys will be published twice each month as two complementary editions. Our Discovery Edition, arriving around the 10^th, will introduce inspiring destinations, unique experiences, and new travel ideas. Around the 25^th, our Planning Edition will focus on practical travel insights, hosted journeys, and timely opportunities to help transform those travel dreams into reality.

My hope is that these shorter editions will be easier to enjoy while still providing ideas and inspiration for your next remarkable journey.

As we continue refining this newsletter format, your feedback is always welcome at [email protected] or through www.ypjourneys.com.

FEATURED JOURNEY

Luxury Hotel Barging: Europe's Most Relaxing Hidden Gem

Last month we introduced one of Europe's best-kept travel secrets—luxury hotel barging. Judging by the response, many of you found the idea just as intriguing as we do.

Imagine spending a week slowly cruising through the French countryside aboard an elegant floating boutique hotel carrying only a handful of guests. Rather than rushing from city to city, each day unfolds at an unhurried pace as vineyards, medieval villages, ancient locks, and beautiful landscapes drift by just outside your window.

In April 2027, John and I will spend a week aboard the Anjodi, cruising the historic Canal du Midi in southern France. While this journey will certainly be a wonderful vacation for us, it is also part of my commitment to delivering the very best experiences for my clients.

Experiencing hotel barging firsthand allows me to better understand the pacing of the itinerary, the ideal length of pre- and post-cruise stays, and the little details that transform an excellent vacation into an unforgettable hosted journey. Those insights will help shape the private charter I'm planning aboard the Magna Carta on the Thames River in October 2027 for a small group of just six guests to join us.

We'll certainly share our experience after we return, and in our July 25^th Planning Edition, I'll provide more practical information about what makes these journeys so special and how we're designing our own hosted charter experience.

WHY WE LOVE IT

Immersion in Intimate Luxury

Luxury isn't always measured by the size of a ship or the number of amenities onboard.

Sometimes it's measured by having only a few fellow travelers, enjoying meals prepared by a private chef, visiting villages that larger ships simply cannot reach, and taking the time to truly appreciate the history, culture, and people of a region.

Hotel barging combines attentive personal service, remarkable cuisine, elegant accommodations, and immersive sightseeing into an experience that feels both exclusive and wonderfully unhurried. For travelers who appreciate authenticity, comfort, and history, it represents one of Europe's best-kept secrets.

YURI'S TRAVEL INSIGHT

The Best Trips Are Planned Earlier Than You Think

One question I hear often is:

"Isn't it too early to plan travel two years from now?"

Ironically, the opposite is usually true.

Many of the most desirable itineraries, cabins, and small-group experiences begin filling well over a year before departure. In fact, we're already looking ahead to opportunities in 2028.

I understand the hesitation. It's natural to wonder what might change between now and then. That's exactly why travel protection exists. Comprehensive travel insurance allows you to reserve exceptional opportunities with confidence, knowing that unexpected events don't necessarily mean losing your investment.

Planning early provides the greatest selection, the best availability, and often the best overall value—all while giving you the peace of mind to simply look forward to the journey.

UPCOMING TRAVEL

Group Travel Opportunities

Current opportunities include:

Christmas Markets on the Danube — December 2026 (Limited space available)
New Zealand & Australia: Exploring the Land of Middle Earth aboard Azamara Pursuit — January 20–February 5, 2027
Tulip Time with Pre-Cruise aboard AmaSerena — April 2027
Scotland Intensive Voyage aboard Azamara Journey — August 2027
Private Thames River Hotel Barge Charter — October 2027 (Currently in planning)

You can learn more about each journey (except the private charter, which is still being planned) by visiting the Group Opportunities section of the YP journeys website.

COMING JULY 25^th

Planning Edition

As this edition reaches your inbox, John and I will be making our final preparations for our Distinctive Voyage aboard Azamara Journey, sailing from Copenhagen to Reykjavík.

In our next issue, I'll share why traveling with your travel advisor can make a meaningful difference, what goes into hosting a small-group journey, and additional planning insights for future hosted departures—including our private Thames Hotel Barge Charter planned for October 2027.

Stay tuned—we look forward to taking you along.