Ron Vietgen’s has lived a life full of travel and adventure. He’s been a travel agent with CAA Niagara for 40 years, , helping Members plan their dream vacations with expert advice and firsthand experience. With a combination of familiarization and personal trips, Ron’s passion for travel and new experiences is evident and is certainly not fading.
Ron discovered his love for travel at a young age, “My background is German — both my parents are from Germany, so we travelled there a lot when I was young. We toured around the whole country, we also did a lot of road trips growing up — Florida, Montreal, Muskoka in the summertime. Between the flights to Germany and the road trips, I was always travelling as a kid. It didn't start last week", said Ron.
Ron has explored destinations across the globe, but Egypt is the place that stayed with him long after he returned. Egypt is filled with unforgettable sights and tour experiences, making it a perfect destination for travellers seeking a blend of adventure and history.
I did a tour to Egypt 10 years ago, and it was totally different than anything I’d done before,” said Ron. The 14-day trip immersed him in the country’s history and remarkable sights.
"The highlights of Egypt are the pyramids, the great pyramids, of course, the Temples of Karnak, Abu Simbel, and a cruise down the Nile, which was kind of amazing. And we went to the Valley of the Kings — that's where all the tombs are, and that's where Tutankhamun was discovered."
"My favourite day there was actually the day we visited the pyramids and the Sphinx. We could take an extra
excursion to go inside one of the pyramids, which was kind of wild. They were built as royal tombs for the pharaohs, so they’re empty when you go in — just shafts everywhere, and you go down all these stairs into the pyramid. To finish it off, we did a camel ride around the pyramids. It was a good experience.”
One of CAA Niagara's most popular bookings is river cruising — a relaxing multi-destination trip that stays close to land, offering views and a cruise experience without being ocean bound. Ron's first river cruise was one to remember, hiccups and all.
“I was staying in Amsterdam for a few days leading up to my cruise, and this is where it all started,” said Ron. His bag never made it to Amsterdam with him, so with only a carry-on, Ron set off to buy essentials to get him through the trip. “Air Canada was very organized, with an allowance of up to $100 per day for necessities"
By the time he boarded the cruise, Ron still hadn't seen his bag. “I was out for dinner anticipating the cruise to leave in an hour or two. When I got back to the room, my bag was there. I was so happy to see my bag.”
The bag was just the first bump in the road. “In Europe, the water levels can often be low due to the heat. If the water is low, the boat can't make it through on the rivers for the cruise. I was notified that this was the case for my cruise.” The itinerary had to adapt on the fly. “We were supposed to be going through Germany, and instead we ended up doing Holland and Belgium instead. They took the ship as far as they could, and then we were bussed to the next location.”
Ron made the best of it. “AMA Waterways was building a brand new ship, and the shipyard was close to where we were. They took us down where the ship was being built, showed us the ship, and then took us to the lower part of the Rhine, where we finished the rest of the cruise. Even though it wasn't exactly what was supposed to be, it ended up working okay — and it probably seemed more exciting than if everything would have gone the way it was.”
Ron has toured solo, led family around the world, and seen destinations from every angle — and two trips in particular have stuck with him.
“Angkor Wat is a huge temple complex in Cambodia, it took us three days to do the whole tour,” said Ron. “It was beautiful, with trees going through the middle of the temples and branches going over the sides, if you can imagine — it's something you have to experience if you're in Southeast Asia.”
“When visiting the North Island, we toured Hobbiton. The whole set is still there, and it was cool to see, especially if you're a Lord of the Rings fan.” With a three-hour bus ride back to the hotel as the alternative, Ron opted for a scenic flight instead.
“There was the option to bus back, which was three hours away, or pay $300 to take a plane back that flies over all the sights where they filmed. I said let's do it, and it was cool to be able to see everything and enjoy the 20-minute plane ride. It was a great experience.”
Ron has gathered travel advice over his years as both a traveller and travel agent. It all comes back to making sure you get the most out of your trip and see everything you possibly can, and embrace changes when they come up. “I always tell people to budget more time and money than they think they’ll need. Once you arrive, you may wish you had a few extra nights, and unexpected opportunities always come up."
"Lastly, always travel with an open mind. I guess that's the worst thing, when you just think everything's gonna go perfect, and it doesn't. When things get lost, your flight gets changed, your cruise line gets changed — go with an open mind. Things happen. Just keep your options open, and if something happens, you just go with it, because things happen, right?”
If you’re looking for a unique travel experience, Ron has shared plenty of inspiration. And if you’re ready to plan your next adventure, CAA Niagara travel agents can help you every step of the way.