Welcome to our quarterly newsletter, where you will find destination highlights, featured tours, and travel news!
Introducing Our Newest Destination: The Douro River
If you’re not familiar with the Douro River, it’s time to get acquainted. The Douro Is Europe’s most unspoiled river valley, winding its way from northern Spain, through the heart of Portugal, and into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts a unique blend of breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
We've partnered with our preferred river cruise company, AmaWaterways, to offer an intimate exploration of this stunning region. Their elegant ships, carrying only 100 passengers, provide a truly personalized experience. The 7-night river cruise allows you to unwind and savor the beauty and serenity of the Douro River.
Glide along serene waters, passing terraced vineyards, picturesque villages, and historic quintas (traditional wine farms). Enjoy curated shore excursions, including the pilgrimage site, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Remedies, as well as visits to local wineries, where you’ll sample the region's famous Port wine.
This extraordinary pilgrimage blends spiritual reflection with the captivating beauty of Portugal. Magi further customizes the group experience with exclusive pre- or post-cruise land programs to destinations such as:
- Lisbon: Discover Portugal's vibrant capital, home to the stunning Jeronimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries.
- Fátima: Visit the sacred site where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in 1917.
- Ávila: Explore the medieval walled city, birthplace of St. Teresa of Avila.
- Madrid: Immerse yourself in Spain's capital, home to the world-renowned Prado Museum.
- Segovia: Marvel at the iconic Roman aqueduct and visit the tomb of St. John of the Cross.
Learn more about our groups scheduled for the Douro in 2026:
Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your Cell Phone for Travel
Remember when traveling internationally meant being disconnected and not in the know? Well, times have changed! Use these tips to unlock the full potential of your smartphone and make your next trip seamless.
- Contact Your Provider: Most providers have international roaming plans or travel passes you can add in advance. (This is crucial to avoid unexpected charges.)
- Airplane Mode: Activate airplane mode to conserve battery life when you don’t need connectivity. If you haven’t added an international plan, also activate airplane mode to avoid connecting to cell phone towers and racking up charges.
- Wi-Fi Only: Turn off cellular data and connect via Wi-Fi at hotels and other locations.
- WhatsApp: Download WhatsApp for free calls and messages over Wi-Fi. Use it to communicate both with your travel group and with family back home.
- Google Translate App: Install the Google Translate app to help communicate in foreign languages. Use the camera feature to magically translate text on menus and signs from a foreign language to English—in real time!
- Offline Maps: Download offline maps of your destination for navigation without an internet connection. The blue dot representing your location will still appear even without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
- Currency Converter App: Install a currency converter app for easy and accurate conversions.
- Portable Charger: Carry a portable charger to ensure your phone stays powered throughout the day, especially on long travel days or when using your phone heavily.
- Security: Enable two-factor authentication or facial recognition on important apps—particularly those linked to sensitive personal information, bank accounts, and credit cards.
- Back Up: Save a digital copy of your passport’s photo page to a cloud-based service in the event you lose your passport. Back up anything stored locally on your phone such as photos and videos.
Did you know Magi Travel organizes custom international tours for a variety of clients?
While our core business has always been custom pilgrimages for churches, in our 43 years in business, we’ve also worked with alumni departments, foundations, choirs, affinity groups, and large friends & family groups.
If you have a group you feel could be a good fit for Magi’s services, reach out to us at 952.949.0065 or info@magitravelinc.com