July 2026 - Boomerang Escapes

Why an American River Cruise Might Surprise You

July 26, 2026 Lisa Rossmeissl Cruise, USA No comments

When someone mentions a river cruise, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

For most people, it’s Europe. They picture sailing past castles on the Rhine, vineyards along the Danube, or charming villages tucked along the Seine.

Those cruises are incredible, and they’re popular for good reason.

But this past weekend, while I was enjoying dinner at a waterfront restaurant here in North Myrtle Beach, I looked out over the Intracoastal Waterway and watched the Barefoot Queen paddle by. It made me stop and think…

Why don’t we talk more about the amazing river cruises we have right here in the United States?

It’s About the Journey

One of the things I love most about river cruising is that it isn’t about rushing from one destination to the next.

You slow down.

You watch the scenery change.

You wave at people fishing along the banks, spot wildlife, and enjoy towns you might never have visited otherwise.

There’s something relaxing about watching the world go by from the water.

You Don’t Need to Cross an Ocean

For some travelers, flying overseas just isn’t in the cards right now. Maybe it’s time, budget, or simply wanting to stay closer to home.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up the idea of a river cruise.

The United States has some beautiful waterways that offer history, scenery, great food, and charming small towns without ever pulling out your passport.

Where Can You Go?

The Mississippi River is probably the one most people recognize. From New Orleans to Memphis and beyond, you’ll experience music, history, Southern hospitality, and some fantastic food along the way.

If you’re drawn to mountains and dramatic scenery, the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest are hard to beat. Think waterfalls, wineries, and landscapes that seem to go on forever.

Love fall colors? A Hudson River cruise through New York during autumn is absolutely beautiful.

And there are even cruises on rivers like the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio that introduce you to places many travelers have never thought to visit.

River Cruising Is Different

If you’ve only been on an ocean cruise, river cruising has a completely different feel.

The ships are smaller.

There are fewer people on board.

You spend very little time just looking at open water because there’s always something to see along the shoreline.

Many times, the ship docks right in town, so you can simply step off and start exploring.

It’s a slower pace, and honestly, that’s part of the appeal.

Maybe It’s Time to Think Outside the Box

I love helping clients plan those bucket-list European river cruises.

But sometimes the perfect vacation isn’t halfway around the world.

Sometimes it’s discovering a part of our own country you’ve never experienced before.

Watching the Barefoot Queen cruise down the Intracoastal reminded me that travel inspiration can show up in the most unexpected places. It also reminded me that there are still so many incredible experiences waiting to be discovered—both close to home and across the globe.

So if a river cruise has been on your travel wish list, don’t limit yourself to Europe.

America’s rivers have some pretty amazing stories to tell, too.

Download Our Smart Packing Tips

Why Rain Made My Milford Sound Experience Even Better

July 12, 2026 Lisa Rossmeissl Adventure, New Zealand No comments

When most people think about vacation, they picture blue skies and sunshine.

But one of my most memorable travel experiences happened on a rainy day.

In late May 2023, I had the opportunity to visit New Zealand on a familiarization trip with Travel Answers Group. After several incredible days exploring the North Island, including Auckland and Napier, we made our way to Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island.

The next morning, we set off on what many consider one of New Zealand’s must-do experiences—a journey to Milford Sound with RealNZ.

The Journey Is Part of the Experience

One thing many visitors don’t realize is that getting to Milford Sound is just as spectacular as the destination itself.

We traveled by coach from Queenstown, winding through Fiordland National Park past towering mountains, lush rainforest, rushing rivers, and countless scenic viewpoints where we stopped to take photos.

New Zealand

We also made a stop along the way for lunch, where I enjoyed one of New Zealand’s delicious meat pies before continuing deeper into Fiordland.

As we approached Homer Tunnel, we were lucky enough to spot one of New Zealand’s famous kea birds. These mischievous alpine parrots are known for their intelligence—and their fascination with cars. They’ll happily investigate windshield wipers, window seals, and anything made of rubber if given the chance!

Even under gray skies, the scenery was breathtaking.

Watching the Weather

The night before our excursion, we had been warned that our return flight back to Queenstown would depend entirely on the weather.

Many Milford Sound experiences offer a one-way coach ride and a scenic flight, allowing visitors to experience both the incredible drive and breathtaking aerial views.

Mother Nature, however, always has the final say.

When we boarded our RealNZ cruise, the skies were still holding on. We layered up against the cool temperatures, grabbed our lunches, and headed out onto the water.

Then the rain came.

Not a light drizzle.

A proper Fiordland downpour.

The Best Part of the Day

Most people headed for cover.

A handful of us stayed outside.

Were we soaked?

Absolutely.

Were we prepared with proper rain gear?

Not even close!

Our tour leader was the only one with a poncho, which quickly became the source of plenty of laughs among our group. Meanwhile, the rest of us embraced getting completely drenched because we didn’t want to miss a single minute of what was happening around us.

And that’s when Milford Sound truly came alive.

The locals explained that this is exactly why rainy days can be some of the very best times to visit.

The heavy rain creates hundreds of temporary waterfalls cascading down cliffs that are dry much of the year. Everywhere we looked, water was tumbling from impossibly high peaks into the fiord below. Milford Sound

Instead of dozens of waterfalls…

There were hundreds.

It was absolutely magical.

Sometimes the Weather Creates the Memory

Eventually we received the news we had been expecting.

The weather hadn’t improved enough for our scenic flight, so we’d be returning to Queenstown by coach.

Normally that might have been disappointing.

Instead, our entire group spent the drive home laughing, sharing photos, swapping stories, and talking about what we had just experienced.

Not one of us complained about the rain.

In fact, it had become the highlight of the day.

Don’t Fear the Forecast

As travelers, we often hope for perfect weather.

But sometimes “perfect” isn’t actually perfect at all.

Sometimes the rain creates waterfalls that weren’t there the day before.

Sometimes the fog adds mystery to the mountains.

Sometimes the clouds make the photographs even more dramatic.

And sometimes getting completely soaked with a group of fellow travelers becomes the story you remember years later.

Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.

And thanks to one unforgettable rainy day, it became even more spectacular than I ever imagined.

Originally published July 2026.

Download Our Smart Packing Tips

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Passport for Your Palate: Kangaroo Island Honey

July 5, 2026 Lisa Rossmeissl Australia, Culinary, Recipe No comments

One of my favorite travel souvenirs isn’t something that sits on a shelf.

It’s something I can enjoy in my kitchen.

After returning home from Australia this spring, one of the treasures that found its way into my suitcase was a jar of raw organic honey from Kangaroo Island. A few weeks later, as I prepared a watermelon, blueberry, and feta salad for our Fourth of July celebration, I reached for that little jar instead of the honey already sitting in my pantry.

With one drizzle, I was transported back to South Australia.

That’s the beauty of traveling through food.

Why Is Kangaroo Island Honey So Special?

Kangaroo Island isn’t just famous for its incredible wildlife and dramatic coastal scenery. It’s also home to one of the purest honey industries in the world.

The island’s Ligurian honey bees are among the last remaining pure populations of their kind. Originally brought from Italy in the late 1800s, the bees have remained isolated on Kangaroo Island thanks to strict biosecurity measures that protect them from pests and diseases found elsewhere. The result is a beautifully pure honey that has become one of the island’s signature products and a source of great pride for local producers.

Whether enjoyed by the spoonful, drizzled over fruit, paired with cheese, or stirred into tea, Kangaroo Island honey offers a taste that is every bit as authentic as the island itself.

A Destination for Food Lovers

While many travelers visit Kangaroo Island hoping to spot kangaroos, koalas, sea lions, echidnas, and remarkable birdlife, food lovers quickly discover another side of the island.

Kangaroo Island is home to artisan honey, fresh seafood, handcrafted cheeses, eucalyptus products, spirits, wines, and so much more. The island’s producers are passionate about their craft, and that passion shines through in every bite and sip.

One of my favorite ways to experience a destination is by meeting the people behind the products. That’s why I love recommending food-focused experiences like the Exceptional Kangaroo Island tours, where visitors can sample local specialties while learning the stories behind the island’s farms, apiaries, wineries, and artisans.

It’s one more reason Kangaroo Island continues to rank among my Top 10 Things to See and Do in Australia.

Bringing Australia Home

This Fourth of July, I wanted to make something light, colorful, and refreshing for our family gathering, so I prepared a watermelon, blueberry, and feta salad.

The dressing couldn’t have been simpler:

Extra virgin olive oil
Kangaroo Island raw organic honey
Fresh lime juice
A pinch of salt and pepper

I tossed it with juicy watermelon, sweet blueberries, creamy feta, and plenty of fresh mint and basil. The herbs added a bright, summery flavor that paired beautifully with the honey, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Its festive red, white, and blue colors added the perfect spark to our Fourth of July table, while the Kangaroo Island honey reminded me that travel memories can be enjoyed long after the journey ends.

And yes, I may have licked the spoon clean after making the dressing. The honey was just that good.

The best part, though, was getting to share a little taste of Australia with new friends. It’s amazing how one simple ingredient can spark conversations, share stories from your travels, and introduce others to a destination they may never have considered visiting.

But for me, the best ingredient wasn’t listed on the recipe.

It was the memory.

Every drizzle of that honey reminded me of Kangaroo Island—the pristine landscapes, incredible wildlife, and passionate local producers who take such pride in sharing the island’s unique flavors. That’s the magic of bringing a little piece of your travels home.

Travel Through Your Taste Buds

One of the reasons I love bringing home local food products is that the journey doesn’t end when the suitcase is unpacked.

Whether it’s honey from Kangaroo Island, olive oil from Italy, maple syrup from Canada, chocolate from Belgium, or spices from Morocco, every ingredient becomes an invitation to relive a destination.

Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t something you display.

Sometimes it’s something you share around the table.

Lisa’s Passport Tip

Whenever I travel, I leave a little extra room in my suitcase for local food products. Honey, spices, tea, jams, olive oil, chocolate, and locally made treats are some of my favorite souvenirs because every time I use them, I get to relive the destination all over again—and occasionally introduce family and friends to a little taste of the world.

Originally published July 2026 as part of the Passport for Your Palate series.

Get Our Australia for Wine Lovers Guide