Ann Castagna Morin

(256 Reviews)
99% Recommended

Southampton, MA

Luxury River Cruise & European travel specialist

I have had a sense of wanderlust since I was a child, always yearning to go off and explore the world.

I will take my own personal passion for travel and use it to craft an extraordinary luxury experience for you.

Europe is my specia...
Learn more about me.

I have had a sense of wanderlust since I was a child, always yearning to go off and explore the world.

I will take my own personal passion for travel and use it to craft an extraordinary luxury experience for you.

Europe is my specialty, I have dual citizenship holding both Italian and US passports. I have personally traveled to over 3/4 of the countries in Europe and have visited Italy more times than I can count.

The first-hand knowledge I gain from my own adventures I will utilize to create your inspiring journey.

I work with many tour providers, whether you wish a private custom excursion, a rail package with a local concierge in each city, or a group tour, I not only can arrange it, I have personally experienced the product.

As much as I enjoy land tours, I have become enamored with luxury river cruises and small ship/yacht cruising.

After my first glide down the Danube I was hooked!

I have sailed 20 different small ship itineraries in both Europe and Asia and have two more currently booked. I make it a point to cruise at least once a year so that I can keep up with new ships, and offerings.

It is one thing to read about a product, to fully understand all the nuances of a journey, and how it will fit their client's personality, one needs to experience it first-hand, and more than once!

On a river cruise luxury abounds with high end bath products, indulgent linens, and extraordinary service all along your journey. River cruising is such a delightful experience, similar to staying in a high-end boutique hotel, except that it travels along with you.

No detail is overlooked for your comfort, but you can leave your fancy clothes at home, I call it "laid-back luxury".

A small ship/yacht cruise on Ponant, Scenic, Windstar, Azamara or Seabourn is a journey filled with pure indulgence. These small ships can visit ports the large vessels must bypass and are able to stay late into the evening. With guest capacity ranging from 189-700 there are no crowds or lines like the large ocean vessels.

Wading through all of the choices in ships and itineraries can be overwhelming. I will answer all your questions and show you photos and videos from my own journeys to narrow down the perfect cruise for you.

As one of the top selling Key Partners in the world for both Globus Tours and Avalon Waterways I have the unparalleled experience and skills to ask the right questions to match you up with the perfect itinerary for your interests and budget.

I look forward to working with you!

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Avalon Waterways River Cruise Specialist

Avalon Waterways Panorama Open Air Balcony Suite

I like slow travel, not being rushed from place to place and having time to immerse myself in the destination.

River cruising suits me well as I am free to come and go from the ship as I please. I love how the chef goes into town to get fresh vegetables and local meats and wine, a "farm to table" experience on a daily basis.

I have sailed nine different itineraries in both Europe and Asia and have two more currently booked. I make it a point to cruise at least once a year so that I can keep up with new ships, and offerings. It is one thing to read about a product, to fully understand all the nuances of a journey, and how it will fit their client's personality, one needs to experience it first hand, and more than once.

On a river cruise luxury abounds with high end bath products, indulgent linens, and extraordinary service all along your journey. River cruising is such a delightful experience, similar to staying in a high end boutique hotel, except that it travels along with you.

River cruising is a great value with unlimited Wi-Fi included, beer and wine with lunch and dinner and excursions no matter what line you select. There are bicycles one can take off the ship to go exploring and the small intimate size of the vessels lend themselves to quick friendships. Most vessels are made up of walls of glass so no matter where you are, whether it be in a lounge or at dinner, you will have sweeping views of the beautiful country side.

I work with all river cruise companies, however, if I were to select my personal favorite it would be Avalon Waterways. They are unique, the only line with Panorama open air balcony suites where the bed faces a wall of glass that opens up turning the entire room into a balcony. Lying in bed watching the world go by is just magical!

The cabins are larger than their counterparts, and the ships smaller and more intimate. Avalon is also more relaxed, less formal than some of the other lines, my husband wears a suit every day to work the last thing he wants to do on vacation is to have to get dressed up. I call it "laid back luxury" you get all of the deluxe perks without any of the stuffiness.

Avalon also takes a great deal of pride when it comes to their cuisine. Innovative ideas working with fresh healthy ingredients including vegetarian options can be found on the menus. Don't worry though there are plenty of decedent delights including homemade ice cream!

I am a certified Avalon Specialist and one of their top selling key partners in the country. They are the line I look to first when planning my own vacations.

I look forward to helping you plan your dream river cruise vacation!

My Travel Albums

The Romantic Rhine River Cruise

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Sailing the Danube River

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River Cruise on the Ganges India with Avalon

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Mekong River Cruise Cambodia and Vietnam

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My Travel Stories

Journey to Jordan, Petra, the Dead Sea and Jerash

This trip was an extension on my Avalon Waterways Egypt and the Nile tour. My husband and I were very spoiled to have a private tour for the four days were were in Jordan. Just as in Cairo we had a escort waiting for us who whisked us through customs and immigration and obtained our visas for us,...Read more.

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My Reviews

31 of 37 people found this review helpful

Tracing family roots in Italy

Ann custom built a two week trip for my son and I tracing our family roots in Italy. It was a great experience filled with history, great food, and even some days at the beach. It was really nice working with someone who understood what it meant to me to show my son where he came from. It is a trip I will never forget!

By Gino from Walpole,MA
Traveled to Italy ~ Europe

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
Nothing makes me happier than helping people connect with their past in Italy. I am glad that it went so well!

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29 of 34 people found this review helpful

Patient and doesn’t nickel and dime you

We originally booked a two week Italy tour with Ann for April 2020 to celebrate our 30th anniversary. The Covid virus came along so we cancelled that and booked a river cruise for July instead. Guess what? Covid still here and cancelled again. Ann patiently booked us a third time for April of 21 back to the Italy plan. Not once did she change us a change fee or complain about the extra work. Our friends agent charged them a $75 “service fee” each time to change theirs. We will always use Ann as she doesn’t nickel and dime you.

By Paula from Omaha,NE
Traveled to Italy ~ Europe

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
This has been a very frustrating and disappointing travel season for many people. I am confident that the third time will be the winner for your much awaited celebration.

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29 of 37 people found this review helpful

Best travel agent ever!

Ann has gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis in keeping us informed about our cruise, which just canceled. She is the BEST travel agent we have ever worked with and are really upset that she is really taking a huge economic hit. When it is safe to travel we will definitely be using Ann again.

By Mike from Acworth, GA
Traveled to Europe

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
Thank you for your kind words, you are such a thoughtful client, I appreciate your sentiment!

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28 of 36 people found this review helpful

River cruise

Our Danube cruise was cancelled this April due to the Covid 19 virus but Ann got us Ann our money back. As soon as there is a vaccine we will book again. She has been a good agent in the past.

By Stella X from Northampton,MA
Traveled to Danube ~ On the River ~ At Sea

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
I know you were disappointed with the trip being cancelled but once the vaccine comes out we will get you right back on track!

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28 of 36 people found this review helpful

The perfect honeymoon!

Ann was invaluable in helping my husband and I plan our honeymoon. We were all over the place from wanting to go on a Safari to or maybe Tahiti to trying a river cruise. She talked to us about things we had not even thought of such as that the time of year we would be traveling would be rainy season in Tahiti and made suggestions about the flight to South Africa that we might want to break it up as the longest we had flown was four hours before. In the end we decided on the river cruise and couldn’t be happier with our choice. She planned so many special details and seemed so vested in our happiness. I can’t recommend Ann enough!

By Shelly V from Boston MA
Traveled to Danube ~ On the River ~ At Sea

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
It was a joy helping you plan your honeymoon, I loved the photos you sent me!

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