Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Places to Ponder

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Since 2013, we’ve gotten the chance to visit many once-in-a-lifetime cities around the world with Dave Koz. A lot of these were places that I’d dreamed of since I was a child. There are others that I didn’t know would impact me until I actually arrived. Rome, for example was one of those cities with its rich history and famous attractions.

I went there and learned to relax despite the Speed of Life. It soon came to my attention that St. Petersburg would also be on my list of special destinations. There were unique things that made it stand out but familiar things that couldn’t be missed. One of the things that I write about often is the fact that people are essentially the same.

When you ride through a city and see families interacting and excited pets, it’s hard to separate individuals based upon location. Whenever there’s a lot of information to consume and a short period of time to do so, music makes me relax and ponder. I think our host DK knows exactly what he’s doing when he selects truly amazing places for use to visit. Then he offers us jazz creativity at its best through artists, such as Peter White, Keiko Matsui, and Peet Project.



Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – The Views of Tallinn

The theme for this year’s cruise was Scandinavia and The Baltic because of the ports of call we would be traveling to. Many of us, who have cruised with Dave Koz and Friends at Sea before, joke that this is more than a terrific way to travel. It is a process from beginning to end that makes dreams come true. I’d never heard of the city of Tallinn but was familiar with the country of Estonia.

Situated along the coast of the Baltic Sea, Estonia is one of three countries that had at one time been a part of the Soviet Union. Today, it is an independent nation which is also a part of the European Union. One of the first things that I noticed, on the chilly morning of our arrival, was the combination of historical and modern structures.

Established as the capital city in medieval times, Estonia is beautiful. Quick commutes to virtually any part of the city makes it convenient for tourists with strict schedules. We visited some of the important attractions and landmarks in the area. These included Old Town, Pirita, and Viimsi. Imagine my surprise when we went in search of a cappuccino and found a fully functional and expansive shopping mall.

The Strawberry Crème Cappuccino was absolutely delicious but it was soon time to return to the ship. Norman Brown, Jonathan Fritzen, and Marcus Anderson were on the lineup for the selection of jazz venues on board and we were ready to enjoy them!

The Sights, Sounds & Feelings in NYC

Every time I get the opportunity to visit NYC, I learn something new. This time around the city was in the midst of finishing up UN Council activities and hosting the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park. The diversity, heart, and overall vibe that circulate around this world famous destination were nothing less than motivational.

One of the reasons that I love traveling in general both nationally and internationally is my getting the chance to fully immerse myself in the locale. This involves finding ways to fully engage with the surroundings and millions who live in it. The culture and attractions that makes NYC unique is also a part of what brands it into my memory.

The Sights

This is truly a never sleeping city that is vibrant around the clock. From the time we ventured out in the morning until drifting off to sleep, there was nothing but activity going on. The bustle of the subway and 24/7 movement shows the constant examples of tradition. These sights attract tourists from around the world and provide exploration opportunities.

The Sounds

Voices, vehicles, vendors and more are a part of the never-ending productivity that defines this city. All of these come with sounds that are heard throughout the day and night. These are a harmonious melody that works together to express what New York is all about from location to borough. There are notes of music, sellers, restaurants, and staples everywhere.

The Feelings

The sheer life of the city corralled on this visit in Central Park which was the backdrop for the 2018 Global Citizen Festival. This annual event focuses on the importance of eliminating poverty on a global basis. This year’s crowd has been figured at 60+K attendees converging for an underlying purpose and goal. Here was a site to learn from and inspire citizens to work together to make life better in the future.