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India - Day 13, Udaipur on to Delhi to catch our flight home.

2011-11-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

This morning we bid farewell to Udaipur. Some of the ladies are staying are up early to catch flights on to other parts of the country. A few are off to visit Kujaraho, some to Varanasi and others to see the Golden Temple. The rest of the group are preparing for their long flight home. We begin our day with one more walk through the narrow, bustling streets of the old city. Just outside of our hotel is a construction site. It's quite different from the ones at home. Here, the ladies help with the construction and materials are brought in on the backs of donkeys. It's early in the morning and the streets are already busy. The shop keepers beckon us in to see their goods. Last minute shopping is done as we make our way to the bus. The shopping experience in India has been amazing!
Today we have to fly from Udaipur to Delhi. Here we transfer to an airport hotel for the afternoon /early evening then it's back to the airport to catch our 3am flight to Toronto. It's been a long day and quite tiring waiting for our flight. Some of us have difficulty staying awake! The flight home was smooth and quiet. Most of us slept all the way to Brussels where we stop for a short layover, then on to Toronto. Our trip to India was Incredible and I look forward to returning some time in the near future.

India - Day 12, Udaipur

2011-11-25T08:15:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the delay in writing this post. I'm back home and have been adjusting to my local time zone. India is 9 1/2 hours ahead of us so it's been quite a challenge to get back in sinc. They say it takes 2 hours a day to adjust your body clock. If you have an 8 hour time difference it will take you 4 days to get back on track.

On our last full tour day we explored Udaipur - Venice of the East. Our hotel is located on Lake Pichola, a man made lake on the edge of the old city. This morning we enjoyed breakfast outdoors on the terrace overlooking the lake and enjoying the majestic views. We've discovered that the lake is a common bath area for the locals. There are bath houses located around the lake and each is designated for men or women. Across from our hotel restaurant there happens to be a bath house for men. It was quite interesting watching the men come and go, dipping into the lake to bath and washing their clothes at the same time. Life in India is quite different from life in Canada.

We start out tour with a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Pichola. On our way to the boat launch we pass by a group of monkeys. They seem to be as curious about us as we are of them.
The lake is peaceful and our guide is informative and entertaining. He tells us he's a movie star. His claim to fame is driving the tuk tuk in James Bond's Octupussy which was filmed here.

The sprawling city is quite large but at the beginning of the 20th century (1950's) this area was surrounded by dense forest with lions and tigers. Our first stop is a small island in the middle of the lake to visit Jagmandir Ghat. It is named in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties. It is still used for parties and many wedding ceremonies are held here. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1652.

We continued our boat ride to view the Royals summer palace which is now the 5 star Taj Lake Palace Hotel. The other 5 star hotel over looking the lake is the Oberei Udaivillas. Our hotel was once a Royal Palace and looks quite elegant from the lake.

Our next stop is the City Palace. A palace complex built by the Maharana Udai Singh as the capital of the Sisodia Raiput clan in 1559. Udaipur was the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar. The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in Rajasthan, a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, and was built on a hill top that gives a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding, The rooms, windows and walls are lavishly decorated with colored stones,silver, stained glass windows and magnificent wall paintings. In the childrens room an elegant swing hangs from the ceiling. As I walked through the maze of rooms I could imagine the grand lifestyle of this era. Outside of the palace there was a pair of elaborately decorated horses. The is a popular wedding tradition where the bride and groom are lead up to the reception area on these beautiful horses.

The evening temperature is perfect for dining outdoors. The lakeside terrace is the ideal setting for our last dinner together as a group. The buildings around the lake are dramatically lit which makes the city look mystical and elegantly royal. Dinner on the terrace under the starlit sky with great friends, a wonderful way to end the day.

India - Day 11, Ranakpur's Jain Temple and bus ride to Udaipur

2011-11-14T09:19:00.003-05:00

After visiting the elementary school in Narlai we board the bus to begin our long drive to Udaipur. Driving on the bus has been a great experience. The ladies take the time to connect and bond with each other and the sights along the way are always fascinating and entertaining. We must drive along the road which only has one lane of pavement. Needless to say the driver has to work his magic weaving through the obstacles of oncoming water buffalo, herds of goats, cars, truck, buses and people. Our first stop this morning is Ranakpur to visit the magnificent Jain temples. This marble complex is noted for the 29 halls supported by 1,444 pillars, each adorned with hundreds of carved figures with no two alike. It took 60 years and 3000 skilled labourers to build this amazing structure by hand in the 14th century. The temple is set on many acres with gardens filled with flowering trees and shrubs. Inside the temple we walk quietly and meander through the maze of carvings and pillars. It's difficult to imagine how they built such an amazing structure without the use of modern equipment. There a small rooms throughout which house the sacred idols. There is a strong smell of incense in these small chambers and the idols within seem to stare at you with their mesmerizing gaze.

Our next stop is for a luch break at the 5 star Hotel Fateh Pagh. Located in the quiet countryside near the Jain temple, this fabulous hotel is set on acres of green grass and gardens. The delicious lunch is served outdoors at tables with large umbrellas set up on the lawn.. A very nice break on this warm sunny day.
We travel a couple of miles down the road to visit a local rug making centre. Here we are given a demonstration on how they make these fine Dhurriw rugs.

Back on the bus to continue our long drive to Udaipur. Still on a narrow roadway, our bus climbs up into the Aravali mountains through a wildlife sanctuary. Along the way we see monkeys jumping from tree to tree and sitting on the road and stone walls. A herd of goats moves off to the side to allow our bus to pass as we continue winding up to an elevation of 3500 feet above sea level. The view of the mountains and the valley below is spectacular. We pass through farm land where men work the land with oxen hooked to their plows and ancient water wheels. The small towns are bustling with the activity of daily life and many interesting characters are seen along the way.

One quick break at a roadside pit stop where the washrooms a mere hole in the floor.Yech! We continue our drive along the highway leading into Udaipur. Our hotel is situated in the old city. The streets are too narrow for our bus so we must walk from the edge of town to our hotel. It's an interesting walk through the busy streets, once again dodging cars, cows, motorcycles and people. There are many shops along the way and the ladies are already picking out the ones they want to go back to visit. Hotel Amet Haveli is another heritage hotel situated on the banks of Lake Pichola. This palace was once home to the royal off Udaipur. Today they reside in a portion of the large palace situated cross the lake from our hotel. The temperature this evening is comfortably warm and the view from the lakeside restaurant is magnificent. This area is said to be the Venice of the East. Tomorrow we are touring the City Palace and taking a scenic cruise on the lake.

India - Day 11, Narlai elementary school visit

2011-11-12T11:06:00.002-05:00

This morning we are up early. Some ladies have gone for a hike up the hill to take in the view from the top and to see the large marble elephant statue. This statue is so large it can be seen from many miles off in the distance. Others enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool and some have an early morning yoga session on the lawn. One of the handsome young hotel staff bring us coffee, tea and juice to be enjoyed poolside. What a great way to start the day!
Bags packed, checked out of our rooms we head off for a walk through the village of Narlai to visit the local elementary school. The walk through town is quite entertaining. Village life is very simple and time seems to stand still here. Children and women greet us with warm friendly smiles, animals stare at us as we walk by and we make way for a farmer leading his oxen and cart out to the fields. We dodge mud, water puddles and excrement on the narrow road way. Their sewer system is very primitive and I suppose it works well when there is a good rainfall. Today it's dry and hot so the smell is in the air is quite pungent.

The children at the school are delighted to see us. The teacher arrives and instructs a young boy to ring the bell to call everyone to class. The last straggles rush in and the children form a line from oldest to youngest then take their place seated on the floor in front of the teacher. Time for morning prayer and they add in a few songs for our benefit. Pencils are passed out to those in attendance and bags of goodies and school supplies are presented to the teacher on behalf of the ladies from Canada.. He is grateful for the gifts and we know they are goning to be put to good use. The students at this school come from the village and surrounding rural areas. They are quite poor and are fortunate to have this school to attend. The government supplies them with uniforms and 1 hot meal is cooked for them daily. It is mandatory for all children to attend school up to grade 7. The lucky ones can afford private schools and have the opportunity to continue their education in higher grades and college. These children will be lucky to complete 7th grade. Their English is minimal but they are happy that we have come to visit them and they greet us with warm smiles. Life in the countryside is very different and we all have a strong appreciation for the benefits of living in our country.

India - Day 10, Narlai - Turban tying contest!

2011-11-12T09:54:00.000-05:00

This evening our guide Ashish has treated us to a taste of Indian Whiskey and afterward a turban tying competition. The whiskey is surprisingly smooth. We all raised our glass to cheer our wonderful guide Ashish and sang "He's the Jolly Good Fellow" He's been an excellent guide and has worked very hard at keeping 22 ladies happy.

Turban tying was a blast! The ladies cheered each other on and had a great time trying to master the art of tying a perfect turban. I'm sure the other patrons at the hotel heard us hooting and cheering and they must have wondered what was going on up on the top floor of the palace.
Dinner this evening was on the roof top under the starlit sky. The temperature is perfect, there are no bugs, the air is clean and clear and the food fabulous. The perfect way to end another great day in India. Tomorrow we are off to visit the local school then back on the bus for a 7 hour drive to Udaipur.

India - Day 10, Jodhpur to Narlai

2011-11-11T15:05:00.000-05:00

This morning we finally get to sleep in. After our busy day camel riding we need some time to relax, repack our suitcases,enjoy the surroundings of the Gateway Hotel and last minute shopping. The shoe man is quite happy with the ladies, they've kept him busy making custom orders.
We our bus ride continues through the tranquil, rural countryside into the the Aravli Hills to the 17th century village of Narlai. Here we'll stay at another Heritage hotel, the Rawla Narlai. This was once the favourite hunting lodge of the royal family of Jodhpur.
Along the way we stop at a Women's Cooperative where the locals make embroidered blankets, quilts, table runners, jackets and much more. Each piece is magnificently hand crafted by these talented women and men.
Our drive through the countryside is amusing and entertaining. The highway, or so they call it, is one narrow strip of pavement meant for traffic in both directions. Needless to say our skilled driver must pull off onto the dirt side often to make way for oncoming traffic, shepherds crossing with their flock and cows and buffalo meandering down the road. The women are busy cutting hay and wheat in the fields, sickles in hand and dressed in their brightly coloured saris. It's quite a sight. Men are steering their oxen and plows through the fields and the roadway is busy with people carrying bundles of wheat, hay and sticks on their heads. It's amazing how much they can carry and how expertly they balance their heavy load.

The drive through the village of Narlai is quite an ordeal. The narrow streets now have rocks and debris piled where only 6 months prior there was a clear. The bus is not able to make it through this clearly so the hotel must send a troop of men to clear the way. The excitement has brought out all of the towns people, even the cows move in for a closer look at the action. Wires are held up for the bus to pass through, wood, bricks and rocks are moved and finally we arrive at the Rawla Narlai. The ladies give a loud applause of appreciation to our driver and his attendant. The hotel staff are waiting in the courtyard with cool drinks and garlands made of bright orange chrysanthemums. This 17th century fortress is now a peaceful hotel centred around a beautiful filled with bright bougainvillea and fragrant Frangipani trees. The bedrooms in the main lodge are spacious, some have frescoed walls and all are furnished in Rajasthani style. The pool area has a line of tented rooms which are elegant and airy. This afternoon we have free time to settle into our lovely rooms, enjoy a dip in the pool and later meet in the courtyard for cocktails and henna tattoos. Since we already have henna on our hands many have decided to put them on their legs. The henna ladies are quite skilled and create pieces of art on us . This evening we are going to drink Indian Whiskey and have a turban tying contest. What a combination. This should be fun!

India - Day 9, Osian in the Thar Desert

2011-11-10T08:08:00.000-05:00

The village of Osian is an oasis in the Thar Desert, an ancient town which is home to an 8th century temple. Our drive through the countryside is always a treat. The fields and roadways are busy with day to day life, women working in the fields and men tending to their flocks of sheep, goats and cattle. Life seems to be a little more organized out here. The farms even have stone walls to keep their animals in. Of course they still walk them along the roadway to move from pasture to pasture. Our bus drive constantly dodges water buffalo, cows, goats and sheep. The little village of Osian is colorful and charming. The locals are used to seeing tourists as many come here to see the ancient Sachiva Mata Jain temple. We have to walk through the town past shops, homes and even the local barber shop to get to the temple.
The temple is stunning and very busy with tourists coming to view this incredible structure and many are here to receive blessings from the priest. The priest sits at the head of the temple in front of the idol, as you approach he says a blessing, puts a red dot on your forehead and ties a red string around your arm. The string stays on your arm for good luck and must wear off naturally over time.

We continue through the countryside with a brief stop to wait for the local train to pass by. Behind our bus is a truck load of students returning home from school. Their transportation is a far cry from our school buses. Our next adventure is a ride on camel back to explore the sand dunes of the desert. Some ladies are little apprehensive and choose to stay at the lodge, the rest of us climb onto our camel's back and head out to view the sun set over the dunes. It's quiet and peaceful out here and the view is magnificent. The town of Osian and the Jain temple can be seen off in the distance. Our ride ends at the gates of the gates of the Indian Safari Club, a magnificent 5 star tented hotel set on the highest sand dunes of the desert. As we arrive the fire is burning in the central courtyard, there is live music and a traditional dancer performs. There are comfy seats around the courtyard and it's cocktail time. |Nanette strikes up a conversation with a couple sitting near us and it turns out to be the owner. He offers to take us on a tour of his retreat and invites all of the ladies to join him in the the lounge for an after dinner drink. Tonight we dine outdoors under a tent , the ambiance is amazing and the food is fabulous. We move from the patio to the lounge to join owner Reggie Singh for a drink. He has the brandy glasses adn filled with Indian rum for a toast. The music is playing and the sound system amazing. Reggie is a gracious host and knows exactly what music to play. The ladies begin to dance. Before we know it everyone is up dancing and enjoying the camraderie of this amazing group of women. A fun night is had by all but it's time to leave as we have an early morning departure from Jodhpur to the town of Narlia. The jeeps are lined up and waiting to drive us from the lodge to our bus. Our jeep ride was as much fun as the camel rides. The women are happy, laughing and hooting all the way. The desert sky is clear and the stars are bright and magnificent. This has been a truly memorable day and evening.

India - Day 8, Jodphur

2011-11-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

This morning we are off to visit the blue city of Jodhpur. This city has 1 1/2 million people and is situated on the Thar Desert, the 2nd largest in the world. Today the temperature is in the low 30's, in the summer months it reaches the upper 40's. In December and January the nights can dip as low as -5 degrees in the desert. Stone mining is one of the top industries, red and pink sandstone and green emeralds. They are also one of the top furtniture makers in the world, #1 in the country and #7 in the world. It's a thriving community. Tourism is also quite high on the list and today we will visit Meherangarh Fort, a world heritage site and the setting of Kipling's The Jungle Book. In 1972 this grand fort was put into a trust and John Pual Ghetty gave money to the family for the restoration. Once the capital of the Marwar Dynasty, it was built on a low hill situated in the heart of the Thar Desert and surrounded by nearly 35,000 square miles of sand. Today it is surrounded by a bustling city. Just outside of the fort is a magnificent masoleum. The beautiful white marble structure sits on a hill overlooking the fort.
The grand fort is teeming with tourists, many are visiting from other regions in India as they are on vacation to celebrate the Diwali festival. Our group of ladies seem to be a main attraction here. Many people from smaller villages haven't seen white people from the Western world. The onlookers non chalantly slide in beside us to take photos of us and many ask if they can have their family photos with us. It's quite entertaining and the ladies are very obliging. We all join in the fun of it all and snap photos of them taking photos of us.
The fort is an incredible structure, the walls are intricately carved and embelished with frescoes depicting life from that era. The museum houses fine works of art and an incredible display of seats made of finely carved wood and silver which were used to carry the royal families. The view of the blue city is spectacular from the top of the fort and you can see the large royal palace off in the distance. This palace is now the 5 star Umaid Bhawan hotel and spa. A couple of the ladies will be visiting the spa tomorrow.

Our next stop is the old city of Jodhpur which we are entering by tuk tuks, a small three wheeled vehicle which comfortably holds 2 people. The traffic is thick and there appear to be very little rules on the road. |Our drivers wind through. the busy streets, horns honk constantly and the fumes and pollution are thick. We exit the tuk tuks at the entrance to the old city and begin our walk through the market. It's an interesting walk on these narrow streets and we share the road with many people shopping at the local stalls as well as bicycles, tuk tuks, cows, goats and dogs. You must mind where you walk and keep to the side otherwise you might be knocked down by a tuk tuk. Our eyes our wide as we take it all in. We stop to visit a shop that supports the IRDP. This organization was founded by Indira Ghandi and offers ethnic arts made by women in the desert. The building is filled from wall to wall, floor to ceiling with fine fabrics, rugs, pashminas, scarfs and more. Our host treats us to a presentation of some of their finest pieces which are made for top designers and distributed to stores in London, Paris and other major cities. Hermes, Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vitton, Kenzo, Yamamoto and so on. These top designers employ 8600 families to make their fashions. The ladies enjoy an afternoon of shopping. We head back to the tranquil setting of the Gateway hotel to relax and enjoy a wonderful dinner. The food in India is delicious and they offer a wide variety of local and international dishes.

India - Day 7. Drive from Nimaj to Jodhpur

2011-11-07T08:01:00.000-05:00

We check out of the Nimaj Palace Hotel this afternoon. This has been a unique stay, the rooms are all very different. Some large and bright, others small and a bit dingy. That's the luck of the draw when staying in the old palaces. They are unique and charming but not quite up to our expectations of modern standards. However, this is to be expected for a building that is over 400 years old. The trade off is the interesting location. Nimaj is a small village in the middle of the country side. Our experience here has been amazing. Walking through the narrow village streets to view a primitive way of life and meeting the wonderful people. We wouldn't trade this experience for luxury accommodations.
Unfortunately Lorece has fallen ill and a few other ladies have a slight touch of Delhi Belly. Our mission today is to get |Lorece back into civilization to make her comfortable and to have her seen by a doctor. We give her a few doses of medicine and drive her by jeep to the bus. The rest of the group enjoy one last walk through this amazing little village to see the sights and say good bye to the smiling people as they head to the bus which is parked on the outskirts of town. The streets are too narrow and winding for our large bus.

The drive from Nimaj to Jodhpur is as excting and colourful as usual. Life along the highway is bustling with activity, animals cross in front of our large bus as if they own the road and the markets are in full swing. I truly love this experience and enjoy every bit of the drive. We choose to share snacks and take only a couple of pit stops as we must get Lorece settled as quickly as possible.

Our hotel in Jodphur is luxurious and very comfortable. The Gateway hotel is situated on the outskirts of the old city. It's lovely oasis with expansive grounds, gardens and a magnificent pool. Our rooms are comfortable and very modern. A nice change from the rustic palace hotel in Nimaj. The doctor is called for Lorece and Barb kindly offers to stay with her. The rest of the group head out to a local restaurant for dinner. On the Rocks is a charming outdoor hotel set in a lovely garden setting. The evening temperature is perfect and the night sky filled with stars. Dinner is fabulous. After dinner we visit the shops situated at the front of the restaurant. Once again the ladies are thrilled with the fabulous items; pashminas, scarfs, jewelry and more. Another fabulous day is had by all.

India - Day 7, Nimaj

2011-11-04T10:08:00.000-04:00

This morning we are going on a jeep safari. Cameras ready we drive through the small town and out into the fields. Children and adults wave as we go by and the market area is already bustling. The air is clean and the breeze refreshing as we drive in the open air jeeps. First stop is an ancient temple then on to a small country side village for a walk. The people are so inviting and the children are happy to walk with us and greet us with warm smiles and happy hellos. The ladies of the village are busy collecting water from the well and carry it back on their heads. Some have bundles of sticks for their fire, others are busy doing their laundry on the front porch of their home. It's quite a different way of life here in the countryside. Men are moving their goats through town out to the pasture and the usual animals wander through the streets, dogs, pigs, goats and cattle. We are invited into a few homes to see how they live. A young woman makes roti on the fire, another family demonstrates their pottery making and a young family show off their new born baby. After our stroll through the village we climb back into our jeeps and continue our drive to the lake. It's time for a tea and coffee break. The setting is wonderful and the temperature just right. It's early so it's not too hot yet. We continue our drive to look for wild aniimals. We're in luck, their's a small heard of antelope grazing in the distance. We approach slowly so we don't distrub them. Cameras are aimed and ready. Now it's out on to the main road and back to the village of Nimaj. It's time to relax. Many go to the palace pool for a refreshing swim. Sandy leads us through a an aquafit class, others chat while enjoying the coolness of the pool. Time to pack our bags and check out. After lunch we are heading to the blue city of Jodhpur.

India - Day 6, Jaipur to Nimaj

2011-11-01T00:41:00.000-04:00

This morning we begin our colourful drive to Nimaj. You can still see and feel the Diwali excitement in the air. The bustling markets are full of locals shopping for fruits, vegetables, sweets and more. There is an amazing dance of people, cars, motorcycles, cows and goats. Life in the streets is never dull and we marvel at the way our drive maneuvers his large bus through these busy streets. Then it's into the country side where life seems to slow down to a nice pace. Cows wander about the road looking for a nice grazaing area. Sometimes they stand in the middle of the road as if to claim their territory. The traffic goes around them and their strange system seems to work well. Our drive is many hours so some of the ladies catch up on their sleep, others chat or take photos of the colourful women out working in the fields. A quick pit stop, if that is possible with 22 ladies that love to shop. The excitemet on the bus builds as we approach the busy village of Nimaj. Our bus has to the park in the main square as the street leading to our hotel is too narrow to enter. The ladies are thrilled to walk through this small,vibrant town. The locals are delighted to see us and the children all greet us with smiles and cheerful hellos. We enter through the large arched gateway into the courtyard of the Nimaj Palace Hotel. The Royal family still lives here and tonight we are going to be treated to a private cooking class with the daughter in law of his royal highness.First we enjoy a lovely lunch then check into our rooms. Once settle we are taken on a walking tour of the Village of Nimaj. The locals are excited to see us and some welcome us into their home to see how they live. It seems like every child in the village has come to escort us through their town. Children shake our hands, smile, ask questions and request their photos be taken. They are delighted when we show the photo to them and this of course makes them want more and more. It's so much fun moving about this amazing little village. The houses inside are well kept but the streets are full of garbage and excrement. The cows, dogs and goats seem to own the streets here.
After our walk we freshen up and join the royal family for our cooking demonstration. From here we move to the roof top terrace to enjoy music and dancing performed by the locals and a fireworks display. His Royal Heiness joins us for the show them excuses himself for the evening. Dinner is served on the terrace under the star lit sky. It's quite magical here at the palace.

Tomorrow we are going on a jeep safari. This should be fun.

India - Day 5, dinner with a Royal Family

2011-10-30T23:09:00.000-04:00

This evening we have been invited for Diwali dinner with a Royal Family. Diwali celebrations go on for 5n ights. This is a time for family and friends come together. We are honoured to be invited into Smritri's hometo share this time with her family and friends. The outside terrace is decorated with designs made from the traditional marigold flowers. We are greeted by all members of her family including cousins, friends and some of the children from her orphanage. Smritri has created a home for children living with HIV. They are unwanted by their families as their is still quite a lot of ignorance here when it comes to this disease. Smriti has created a wonderful environment for these children and is an incredible advocate for the. They are now in the regular school system and one of her friends has now opened a second home to house the children. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to meet these beautiful children and this amazing woman. There is a lovely young lady painting henna on our hands and a gentleman with gifts of handmade bangles. The dinner was delicious and the company exceptional. This was a memorable evening and certainly one of the highlights of the trip.

India - Day 5, Jaipur

2011-10-30T22:27:00.000-04:00

This morning we are off to explore the monuments of Jaipur. The Amber fort is a beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples. We approach the fort on elephants just like the Maharajahs did. The women are excited and the ride is incredible. The elephants are decorated in festive colours and the seats are reasonably comfortable. The scenery in this area is magnificent, there are mountains and an ancient wall surrounding the fort. The wall resembles the great wall of China. We are fortunate there is a lake, there was ample rain this year to fill up the lakes in the region.

The Amber fort is quite majestic and magnificently preserved. Our jeep ride down from the fort is almost as exciting as the elephant ride up. The hawkers follow us to the jeeps and continue trying to sell their wares. They are climbing into the jeep and many arms are stretched out into the jeep, items are being placed into our laps and hands and the bargaining frenzy continues. The ladies can't believe what is happening and laughter can be heard from all of the jeeps. The ride down is fast along the winding narrow streets. Our tour of the Pink City of Jaipur continues with a brief stop to view the wind palace. There is no structure behind the pink facade, only balcony's where the princesses would sit to peer through the windows at the people in the streets. They were not allowed to mix with the commoners. We stop at the lake side to view the Royal Summer Palace. It issituated on an island in the middle of the lake. Often this lake is dry so once again we are fortunate to see it surrounded by water. The hawkers are out in full force waiting to sell us their wares. Pashminas, elephant statues, embroidered boxes, bangles and much more. It's all very exciting as we maneuver through the outstretched arms filled with trinkets. The negotiating process is like a ritual and they expect us to bargain for our purchases.
Our guide has arranged a visit to a jewelry studio which carries gems from the region, Indian star rubies, saphires, emeralds and more. We are treated to a demonstration of how they cut and polish these precious and semi precious stones. Then the shopping begins. Can you imagine 22 women in a large jewelry show room. Let's just say there were many purchases here. Some of the items purchased are rings, pendants and even individual gem stones. A quick stop for lunch and then our city tour resumes. Another highlight of our city tour is a visit to a park to view medieval Indian astronomy. This complex was built by Jaipur's founder and houses scientifically designed instruments to tell time and horoscopes. It's quite amazing how these ancient tools still work to this day. Across the road is the City Palace, a former royal residence built in the centre of the old city in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. There is a small museum displaying costumes of the royal family. The silks and wools are magnificently decorated with embroidery and some embellished with jewels. This has been a full day of touring, now we must get back to our hotel to freshen up and prepare for our dinner with a royal family.

India - Day 4 - Agra to Jaipur

2011-10-30T13:31:00.000-04:00

Early morning wake up for breakfast and to check out of the Trident Hotel. Today is Diwali and the hotel has decorated their lobby with the traditional Marigold flowers as well as rose petals. Our drive through th town of Jaipur is exciting as the streets are bustling with locals shopping in preparation for the Dewali festivities. In the markets there are carts filled with fruits, vegetables and there are mounds of marigolds and garlands of marigolds hang everywhere. This flower is placed in all homes for good luck. You can feel the excitement in the air. There are many women in the market today and their colourful saris are quite a site to behold. There's as much excitement on the bus as there is in the streets. The ladies are moving from one side of the bus to the other to take in all of the sites.
It's a long drive to Jaipur. Everyone settles in and enjoys the scenery and conversation. Along the way we stopped to visit the Unesco World Heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri which was once the capital of the Mughal Empire with one of the largest mosques in India within a complex of monuments and temples. We continue our drive along the highway and stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant. We dined outside under colourful tents. The King Fisher beer was cold and refreshing and the curry warm and delicious.
Upon arrival into Jaipur we stop for a demonstration of block printing on fine cotton and silk fabrics. The showroom is open today just for us. The ladies enjoyed shopping here and some ladies have ordered
custom tailored outfits and shirts.

Our hotel for the next 2 nights is the Narain Niwas Palace which is one of the Heritage Collection. Every room is different and the decor quite royal. Our tour guide gave us a traditional Indian outfit and asked to wear it to the Diwali celebration. We met in the back garden for the ceremony to worship the God Lakshme which is for prosperity and wealth. From here we moved to the front garden to enjoy dinner and entertainment. Local musicians played traditional music and dancers performed in their colourful outfits. We enjoyed a wonderful fireworks display put on by the hotel. The fireworks could be heard all night long.

India Day 3 - Agra Fort

2011-10-29T22:04:00.000-04:00

After the Taj Mahal visit we returned to the hotel for a sumputous breakfast at the Hotel Trident. The food is delicious and the service excellent. Our rooms at the Trident are very comfortable and all of the staff warm and inviting. We are always greeted with a warm smile and greeting. The most common greeting at any time of day is Namaste.
Life in the street is quite different from home. Not only do you find cars, cycles and people. There are camels, horse and cart, cows and more. The sound of horns can be heard from every direction. . cor
This afternoon we are off to visit the Agra Fort dating back to the1600's. It is huge and impressive. Thick stone walls surround the inner beauty. Private palaces built for Shan Jehan's many wives, conqubines and children. The intricate marble work and wall decoration is beautiful. It's hard to imagine this structure was built so long ago. As you stand in the courtyard and admire the magnicence of this fort you can imagine the beautiful women roaming about in their colourful saris. Our next stop was a visit of a shop that made inlaid tables, wall plates and decorative boxes made of marble. Intricate designs are etched into the marble with colour made from semi precious stones. The craftsman ship is amazing. Some pieces in sshowroom have price tags over $100,000.

Upon our return to the hotel we have a little down time before heading out to a local restaurant for dinner. It was delicious. In the streets to you can feel the excitement of Diwali building. Shops and homes are decorated with lights and fire crackers are heard about the city. We are all looking forward to the tomorrow nights Diwali celebration.

India - Day 3 - Agra's Taj Mahal

2011-10-29T09:29:00.000-04:00

Early 5am wake up call this morning to depart for the Taj Mahal. Luckily the line up is quite small so we can avoid the hour long line up. The Taj Mahal is more beautiful than we could have imagined. The majestic structures stands on acres of land along the river side. Water pools, the smell of sweet blossoms and colorful gardens. Pinch me, I'm dreaming. Here I am at the site of one of the most magnificent of the 7 wonders of the world. The white marble glistens in the sun. Colorful designs adorn the Taj walls inside and out. The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal is decorative with intricate, ornate designs.. The energy here calm and peaceful. The tomb of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan lies beside his wife. For ever together in eternity. i re, and standing here isin front of it is peaceful.
The ladies are touched by this wonderful place, some have tears in their eyes and others stare in wonder at this incredible structure. After a 2 1/2 hour tour and many photos we head back to our hotel for breakfast. This afternoon we are off to visit the Agra Fort.

India tour - Day 2 - Delhi

2011-10-29T08:23:00.000-04:00

This morning we wake up early to meet our yoga instructor in garden of the hotel. It's still dark and there is an excitement in the air. Here we are, day 2 in Delhi and we are about to practice yoga in the country of it's originate. Our yoga instructor is charming and witty. Our first moves are sun salutations along with the rising sun. Magic. Before we know it he has us all doing shoulder stands. /The ladies really seem to be enjoying their morning practice out on the lawn. Our instructor entertains us with is wit and the ladies enjoy a good laugh.
After breakfast we are departing from the Delhi Grand for a long drive to Agra. Along the way we visit tomb that is said to be the inspiration for the Taj Mahal and was built in the 1500's. Almost 100 years before the Taj. The grounds are expansive the the buildings colorful and intricate.This wonderful structure was built for a mogul emperor where he will rest eternally in his paradise. . The There are sweet little puppies at our heals and beautiful green parrots flitting about the trees. India is full of surprises, colours and sounds.

We continue our drive to the town of Agra. There is so much to see along the way. We move out of the busy traffic and into the countryside. Women, children, cows, pigs, motorcycles, buses, donkeys and more share the road. The farmers are busy working in the fields of sugar cane, hay, grains. Women carry bundles of sticks for firewood and others are busy making patties of cow dung to dry in the sun. This is their source of cooking fuel. Life is very different out her. We pass through small towns that are bustling with activity as the center is the local market. Stalls filled with fruits, flowers, sweet shops and so much more. The barber is set up on the side of the road shaving the men clean to get them ready for the upcoming Diwali celebrations. The ladies are mesmerized and excited. There's so much to see as we drive along the highway. Our skilled bus drive dodges cows, dogs and wild antelope. He manuevers our bus through the bustling town centres and sometimes even drives on the wrong side of the road. There appear to be very little driving rules here in India. After our long bus ride we finally arrive in Agra to check into Trident Hotel. The grounds are beautiful with a nice pool. The ladies are already planning some downtime there. We have an early dinner then off to bed as we have a 5am wake up call. We're off to Taj Mahal for the sunrise and a tour.

India 2011 - Day 1: Delhi

2011-10-25T07:09:00.000-04:00

There is only one way to describe India - Incredible. Delhi is a big busy city full of contrasts, noise, colorful sights and sweet smells of incense in the air. Our hotel or the first 2 nights is the Delhi Grand. Luxurious rooms, a large inviting lobby and spectacular pool and garden area with a cascading fountain. After 18 hours of travelling it felt great to stretch out in a comfortable bed.
Day 1: Our adventure begins with a drive through the Imperial city which was built by the British in the 1600's. There are wide avenues, large complexes with homes for the government employees and spacious parks where there are monkeys roaming freely. Here you will find the parliament buildings and a large road leading to a structure which resembles the Arc de Triomph. Every Jan. 26th there is a parade along this route to celebrate India's independence.
As we move through New Delhi the roads begin to narrow and the crowds and traffic become heavier. We arrive in Old Delhi. There are market stalls and small shops lining the narrow streets which are filled with men out shopping for bargains. It's a strange site to see as there are only a few women and they are working at the streetside shops. Most of the items are just laid out on the walkway and crowds of men are picking through the goods.
We depart the comfort of the air conditioned motorcoach and step into the bustling market street. We are instructed to walk quickly and avoid speaking with the people trying to sell their wares. Our goal is to visit the Jana Masjid mosque, India's largest mosque. Everyone entering the mosque must remove their shoes and wear burlap socks and colorful gowns which are provided for us. The Mosque is a large open area with a fountain in the centre and a small building. There are many local children willing to pose in our photos. As we leave the mosque we are surrounded by young men trying to sell us their goods. Purses, bangles, necklaces and much more. It's quite an experience.
Our guides move us through the crowd swiftly to our waiting Ric Shaws, a glorified bicycle with a covered seat for two. Our driver weaves his way through the narrow market streets dodging peole, dogs, cars, trucks and buses. He drives us through the narrow streets past colourful shops and out to the main road to view the remaining walls of the Red Fort Palace. What an exciting ride!
Next stop is the Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's creamtion site. His burial site is set in an expansive garden with lare lawns and fragrant floral trees. Many people from all over the world visit this site every day. As we are busy taking photos of the beautiful people dressed in the colorful saris we notice they are taking photos of us. Young men ask to have their photo taken with Lynn, a blond haired lady. They giggle and smile with delight. A well dressed family ask Debbie and Shirley to pose with their family.
Our last stop of the day is for a light lunch at a building which houses some of India's cottage industries. We are treated to a demonstration on silk rug making from the Cashmere region. These rugs are amazing pieces of art. Also available are 100% pure cashmere pashminas and scarfs, cotton table cloths, clothing and jewelry. All pieces are unique and hand made in the Cashmere area.
During our bus ride back to the hotel Priti, our city guide surprises us all with a colourful sari and invites us to dine with her and a few of her lady friends. Our group is excited and delighted and their's a buzz in the air as the experts tuck us into our Saris. What a treat! There's somehting about a sari that makes a woman feel very feminine and beautiful. Our first day was exciting and fun filled and topped off with a delicious meal at a local restaurant.

India Fom A Woman's Perspective

2011-10-24T12:13:00.000-04:00

From Rags to riches. Early in the day we had to wear colorful gowns to enter the mosque. Later that day Priti and her lady friends dressed us in elegant saris.

The Island of Capri

2011-10-02T06:08:00.000-04:00

The Island of Capri is so beautiful. After arriving by ferry we hired a private boat to view the dramatic coast line and small grotto's carved into the limestone. The colour of the water is so blue, almost florescent. Next we took a chair lift up to the top of the island. From the top you can see for miles and on this clear day we could see Naples and Mount Vesuvius, the bay of Naples and the towns of Sorrento, Amalfi and Capri. A quick lunch stop then off to tour the charming towns of Ana Capri and Capri. Many famous people visit and stay on this island and there are designer shops lining the narrow winding streets. The Rodeo drive of Capri. Very exquisite. A fabulous day!

Sorrento - Free Day to explore

2011-10-02T05:36:00.000-04:00

Sorrento is a charming ancient port town and in this busy season the streets are bustling with tourists. There are numerous hotels in the area and cruise ships pull into port every day.
The narrow winding streets are lined with interesting shops displaying various local wares.
Fresh fruit and vegetable markets are bright and colorful and shopping is a wonderful experience in this maze of winding streets. Shoes line the walls, beautiful hand made linens hang in the windows along with jewelry and intricate hand made boxes. Charming restaurants and gelato shops are plentiful.
The ladies spent many hours exploring and shopping.
The weather was warm and sunny so after a busy day exploring Sorrento it was nice to relax around the pool area at the Mediterrano hotel. A little fun in the pool and a refreshing glass of wine was the perfect way to end off a great day.

Cooking class in Sorrento

2011-10-02T05:07:00.000-04:00

Into the kitchen today What a treat. Carmella, our translator greeted us at the gate with aprons in hand. The Sorrento Cooking school is a marvelous facility with a large bright roomy kitchen and plenty of work space for everyone. Our chef is a lovely young Italian woman who seems to have excellent cooking skills and a wonderful disposition. Our menu is home made pizza, tomato sauce with fresh basel, ravioli, sea bass on a bed of lemoned potatoes and delicous Tiramsu for dessert. The gals can't believe they actually made pizza dough and ravioli from scratch. Such fun! We had flour on our clothes and dough stuck to our fingers. I think everyone enjoyed the hands on experience. After preparing the dinner with our own loving hands, we had the pleasure of eating the fabulous meal. A little taste of Proseco while cooking and wonderful wines of the region with our dinner. I expect our loved ones will enjoy the meal we all plan to make when we return.

Amalfi Coast of Italy

2011-09-30T12:32:00.007-04:00

The Amalfi coast is absolutely beautiful. The mountains are dotted with hotels, charming homes and sprawling villas and the lush vegetation colours the slope side. This area is known for it's lemon and olive trees which seem to be everywhere. Lemoncello is the drink of the area and is a very lovely treat after a big meal.
Our first day here we took a private bus tour to visit the towns of Positano and Amalfi.

Positano is situated on a very steep side of the mountain and is a quaint seaside village with narrow streets lined with lovely shops. Amalfi is equally as charming with exquisite shops and quaint restaurants. Fresh fish is the most popular dish on the menu. Some of the ladies took a boat ride along the coast to view the magnificent towns from the water. This area has many villas which are owned by famous people, such as Sophia Lauren, Roger Moore and Gina Lola Bridgida to name a few.

Everyone seemed to come away with a few purchases of momentos from these towns. Our bags are starting to get a little heavy. On the way back to Sorrento we took the high road to the top of the mountain. The view was breathtaking. Our guide suggested we stop at a local shop to tast the famous monk cheese. Mmmm Mmmm good. We purchased cheeses, pastas and wine. It was a great day enjoyed by all. This evening we walked into town for a lovely dinner. The people all seem to be so nice in these seaside towns.

Pompei and the Amafli Coast

2011-09-26T18:47:00.000-04:00

This morning we left the busy city of Rome and began our drive to the Amafli coast. It was a quiet drive as the ladies caught up on their sleep. Monday morning traffic in the city and on the highway made the journey a little longer than expected. On the way we stopped for a tour of Pompei. This is one of the largest and best preserved archealogical site. Pompei is a city dating back over 2,000 years. Unfortunately it was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The city looks as though it has been frozen in time. The homes and shops are in tact, the grand avenues and chariot roadways are expansive. Colorful frescoes are still visible on the walls and great history has been uncovered here. The city was preserved by thick layers of ash. It was an incredible site to see. The ladies enjoyed their tour and were delighted with the information supplied by our tour guide Dario, who was both entertaining and knowledgeable.

After our tour we continued our drive to the town of Sorrento. The Hotel Mediterrano is our home for the next 5 nights. It's a charming seaside hotel with a fabulous pool area and stunning views of the sea of Napoli. Everyone is delighted with their rooms and are looking forward to the relaxed pace of the Amalfi coast.

Rome Sept. 2011

2011-09-26T18:14:00.000-04:00

Rome is such a wonderful city. Vibrant, bustling and art everywhere. From the fountains, to the statutes. The coloseum, the Vatican and the Sistine chapel. After checking into to the quaint and charming Hotel Columbia, we met our guide to begin a tour of the Vatican museum. The works of art are absolutely beautiful. Statues, frescoes, tapestries and of course the Sistine Chapel. When you look at this ceiling it's hard to believe one man created such a master piece. Michelangelo was a true genius and master of the art of painting. Our visit to St. Peters Basilica was delightful. Not only did we have the opporunity to admire this beautiful church, we were treated to the sound of a choir performing for the Saturday afternoon mass.
On Sunday we set out on foot to explore every corner of the ancient city. The last Sunday of the month is a treat in Rome. The museums are a fraction of the cost and the main avenue is closed off from traffice and becomes a pedestrian way. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for strolling about the city. Our first stop was at the Coloseum for a guided tour of this magnificent structure.
After our tour we walked along the main Avenue to the Panthenon, another architectural marvel and continued on to the Piazza Navona. The square was bustling with tourists and locals on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. A brief stop for lunch (pizza and lasagna) and then continued walking to the Trevi Fountain. In spite of the crowds, this is a must see. This is one of the most beautiful fountains I have ever seen. The gals we thrilled to throw a coin in the fountain. They say if you do this, it will bring you good luck and you will return to Rome one day. The rest of the afternoon the ladies were free to do as they pleased. Browse in the numerous shops, enjoy a glass of wine near the Spanish steps or sip a cappuccino and people watch. Some were brave enough to walk all the way back to the hotel, others managed to find their way back on the subway . Inspite of the city being so large, it is quite easy to find your way around and there is an excellent transit system.
Dinner this evening was at Maccharoni's, a charming restaurant situated downtown. The food was fabulous. Our last evening in Rome was enjoyed by all. Tomorrow we are off to the Amali coast.

Florence, day 2.

2011-09-24T18:15:00.000-04:00

Florence is such a beautiful city and so are the ladies in this photo. They are willingly posing in front of the Ponte Vecchio, along the Arno River. This evening we took a leisurely stroll to the restaurant for our first authentic Italian dinner. Exquisite pasta, delicious Florentine beef, salad and free flowing wine. It was a wonderful meal. On our way home we stopped to listen to a wonderful entertainer playing his guitar in the Senioria Square. A magical way to end a wonderful day.

Jenny and Terry enjoyed the view from the Ponte Vecchio bridge on our walking tour of this ancient city.

Italy - 2011

2011-09-24T17:51:00.000-04:00

We've arrived in Florence, Italy. The weather is wonderful, summer like temperatures and blue skies. We have a great group of women who are ready to see the sites, explore the city, shop and have fun. Our first day we got our bearings, wandered through the local market. Anne seems to be quite happy with her purchase .

Gellato is always a favourite on warm summer like day. Today seemed to be that perfect day for a taste of the cool, refreshing dessert. Marilyn and Elizabeth seem to be quite eager to taste the delicious desserts.

Healthy Travel - Hydration, by Carol Little

2011-08-26T11:43:00.000-04:00

India From a Womens Perspective Tour - tips on healthy travels.
For tour details Click here.

In preparation for my upcoming trip to India I am working with a herbologist. Carol Little from Studio Botanica is helping me to get healthy prior to my trip, keep healthy during the flight and while on tour. She has written a great article about hydration and why it is so important during your travels. Read on for more information .......

Healthy Travel - Hydration

When traveling, perhaps more than ever, it’s important to be conscious of pure water intake.

One’s appearance, energy level, immune system as well as brain function – are all negatively impacted by dehydration. Symptoms, which signal that more hydration is needed, usually start with dry or chapped lips. Other indications include, but are not limited to: headaches, dry skin, constipation or infrequent urination. It has been estimated that more than 75% of North Americans are living with chronic dehydration.

Pure water is truly the best choice. All other options, from coffee or tea (caffeine) to alcohol to sweetened sodas trigger chemical responses within the body, which in turn require extra (even more!) fluids to process & filter.

The dry atmosphere & lack of fresh air on board an aircraft combine to increase dehydration. One actually needs to drink more water than usual to keep hydrated. Although tempting to enjoy in flight amenities from the roaming “bar trolley”, on a lengthy flight, it may be advantageous to limit the mile high fiesta of drinkies & high fat salty snacks.

Research & experience indicate that, that ol’ enemy of time-zone crossing globetrotters, “Jet Lag”, is adversely affected by our water intake before & during the flight. Sufficient good quality water will make a huge difference in your first day at your destination. If not a fan of simple H20, add some sliced lemons or limes from that bar cart or bring some electrolyte powder or crystals to ‘change it up’.

Bring herbal teabags along with you and ask for a cup of hot water – presto! You are prepared! My favourites are Ginger, Peppermint & Chamomile. No caffeine here and all offer the benefit of being digestive aids to facilitate better ‘movement’ of your in flight meal (important due to lack of physical movement after eating) Chamomile is a delightful relaxing herb which, as a bonus, promotes calm & can be used an hour before plans to sleep on an overnight flight. What are your favourites?

The single most important, and ultimately simple thing that you can do to improve your health while traveling?

INCREASE your water intake. Your body will thank you.

Happy Travels! Carol Little R.H. www.studiobotanica.com

For more an overall look at hydration:
http://studiobotanica.com/hydration-vs-dehydration/

For more healthy ideas, one at a time,
Join me ~ Healthy alternatives for your LIFE – at home and away!

For more information on The Womens Travel Network please visit our website.

www.womenstravelnetwork.ca

Single Parent Travel

2011-06-23T10:31:00.014-04:00

Most of my blogs are written while touring with a group of women. Today I'm going to change gears and talk about Single Parent's travelling with your children.
A few years ago I took my first family vacation as a single parent. I was a bit nervous at first and wondered if I would feel comfortable travelling outside of the country.

Questions in my mind were:
1. Is it safe?
2. Are the children going to be bored?
3. Am I going to feel uncomfortable on my own?
4. Will I have to pay a single supplement?

I'm sure many of you have asked these same questions and probably hesitated in taking that vacation because you just weren't sure. Following are some tips on how to make your single parent trip enjoyable and fun.

1. Choose a resort that caters to families.
We chose a fabulous all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The resort had large comfortable rooms, numerous pools (one catering to families with small children), a beautiful beach and room service (the teens love this option). There are many family friendly resorts in Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Mayan Riviera, Mexico to name a few.
Club Med, Beaches and Superclubs have excellent family friendly resorts in each of these locations.
2. Make sure there's plenty of activities.
The resort we stayed at had something for everyone. Water aerobics for Mom, beach and pool volleyball for my son and Spanish lessons for my daughter. The nightly entertainment was early enough to entertain the young ones and they involved the children in the show. The children had a blast and it was was great fun to watch. Various activities were planned throughout the day. Many resorts offer mini and kid clubs to keep the little ones occupied while you enjoy some down time.
3. Are they going to like the food?
Most resorts offer a variety of dining experiences: buffet restaurants, beachside BBQ with hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza (kid friendly), specialty restaurants. Our favourite was the Tepanyaki restaurant as they entertained us with their knife wielding stunts while preparing our dinner.
4. Day trips. Check out the options available off the resort. There are many exciting day trips available which give you the opportunity to see the country and meet the locals. Our family highlight was visiting the dolphin sanctuary and interacting with the Dolphins. These experiences create wonderful memories which you and your children will talk about for years to come.
5. Will I have to pay a single supplement? Typically the resorts will charge for 1 single adult and 1 child. Have your travel agent check to see if the cost for 2 adult fares is lower, sometimes it is.
6. Watch for single parent specials. Some resorts offer single parent weeks which makes it easy and affordable for single parents to plan a trip with their kids.

Beaches Resorts offers Single Parent Family Fun weeks:
Sept. 5 - 11, Sept. 19-25 and Oct. 1-7, 2011.
During these weeks they offer special Single Parent Family activities, including: a beach bonfire and movie and Beach Olympics; serve as special guests in the weekly Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street Parade; enjoy Beaches Family Night with Kinect for Xbox 360, and a complimentary Martha Stewart Crafts Studio Postcard class. Programmes are specially designed to encourage bonding time for single parents and their children while mingling with other families.

SuperClubs Resorts periodically waives the single supplement at some of their popular family resorts.
Breezes Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino caters to families with a variety of age-specific programs at its Kids Club. A circus workshop with flying trapeze and trampoline clinics, as well as a selection of land and waters sports provides ample excitement for kids and parents alike.
Breezes Trelawny Resort & Sp a offers a wide range of activities for kids and adults alike. Supervised activities are available for kids of all ages including water sports, pool games, contests and theme parties, as well as babysitting services for up to two children. This watery wonderland boasts an enormous kids pool complete with splashing waterspouts, fountains and an incredible 124-foot water slide winding its way through. Meanwhile, the seashell pool, swim-up bar and 84-foot winding water slide is sure to keep the grown-ups afloat.

My children still remind me of the wonderful family vacation we spent together in Punta Cana. I'm so happy we had that time together and look forward to many more.

Debbie Ross, founder of the Womens Travel Network.ca

Hotel reviews by Canadians for Canadians

2011-05-13T15:48:00.015-04:00

Recently I came across a great article written by Travelweek which has great information that I want to share with you. It's about a website with trip reviews written by Canadians.
At monarc.ca, Canadian travellers post their ratings and feedback about recently-visited hotels and resorts. Each month Travelweek’s Insider Report delivers Monarc.ca’s three highest-ranking hotels in the categories of Best Overall, Best Beaches, Best for Families, Best for Couples and Quality and Price.

Following is their most recent picks and I must agree, they are good ones. One of my favourites on the list is Maroma Beach on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. I recently stayed at the Eldorado Maroma, and my experience there was absolutely wonderful. This has to be one of the nicest beaches I've seen.

BEST OVERALL
1. Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, Jamaica - 3/12 *

2. Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Laventado, Dominican Republic - 4 1/2 *

3. Paradisus Rio de Oro, Cuba - 4 1/2 *

BEST BEACHES
1. Catalonia Maroma, Mexico - 4*

2. Royal Hideaway Cayo Ensenachos, Cuba - 4*

3. Akumel Beach Resort, Mexico - 3 1/2*

BEST FOR FAMILIES
1. Melia Azul, Cuba 4*

2. Coconut Bay, St Lucia -4*

3. Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, Mexica - 4 1/2 *

BEST FOR COUPLES
1. El Dorado Seaside, Mexico - 41/2 *

2. Couples San Sousi, Jamaica - 4 1/2 *

3. Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Laventado, Dominica Republic - 4 12*

QUALITY AND PRICE
1. Karmina Palace, Mexico - 4 1/2*

2. Paradisus Rio de Oro, Cuba - 4 1/2*

3. Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, Jamaica - 3 1/2*

Day 11 - Amsterdam

2011-04-19T05:20:00.004-04:00

This is our final day of the tour. We have a few more hours to take in the sites of Amsterdam. After a hearty breakfast we head out for a walk around the historical city centre. It's a quiet Sunday morning and quite different from the hustle and bustle of yesterday. It's a beautiful day for a stroll along the canal, the sky is clear and bright and the temperature is nice and warm.
The Amadagio staff have prepared a light lunch for us.Delicious. We gather in the lounge to reminisce and to raise our glasses for one last toast. This has been a great trip with 18 wonderful women. Thank you for making this journey so special and I look forward to traveling with all of you again one day. Cheers!

Day 10 - Amsterdam

2011-04-19T04:12:00.014-04:00

This morning we woke up in city of Amsterdam, which is also known as the Venice of north . There are many river ships docked at the pier, side by side 3 deep and one behind the other 3 deep. It's quite a sight to see . Our ship is in the middle which creates a unique experience when disembarking. We have to walk through the lobby of another ship to get to the pier.
We begin our day with a guided cruise along the500 year old canal system. There are 60 miles of canals and 1200 bridges. This is a great way to absorb the overall feel of the city and to see how they live and get around. There are many boat houses along the sides of the river and chained bicycles line the bridges and rails. I've never seen so many bikes. Walking or cycling seems to be the best way to get around. You see 2 and 3 people on one bike, parents and children together and some bikes are equipped with a front car to hold the kids.
Looking down the canal you see bridge after bridge, it's quit a sight. The tall narrow row houses appear to be leaning and some are as they have shifted over the years. The fronts of the houses lean out at the top to allow for pullys to lift furniture and large itmes up and in through a centre window at the top. It's quite a system. After our canal cruise we board a bus for a panoramic driving tour which takes us to windmill and the flower market. Here we enjoy some free time to visit the market and surroundings shops. It's a busy Saturday morning and the market is bustling with tourists and locals.
This afternoon we are free to explore the city on our own. It's a great day for walking, the sky is clear and the temperature is about 17 degrees. Some of the gals visit the Anne Frank Museum, the Rembrandt Museum and others stroll through the Red Light district which is one of the well know areas of Amsterdam. Coffee houses line the streets, but be aware there is no coffee here. This is where you go for a smoke. If you want coffee you must go to a cafe. The city is vibrant and alive with excitement. The locals have gathered in the main square for a demonstration against nuclear power. There is music and buskers and the old and young have come to voice their opinion about this issue that is affecting people world wide.
This evening we are treated to another fabulous dining experience on the Amadagio. After dinner everyone gathers in the lounge for their last evening of entertainment and fun. Helen takes the stage one more time and sings us a few songs. Our friends from PEI and Australia join in the fun and a great time is had by all.

Day 9 - River Cruise - Cologne

2011-04-16T03:02:00.014-04:00

This morning we woke up in the city of Cologne which is inhabited by 1.2 million people. The city was founded by the Romans in 50 BC. You can still see remnants of the old city. After another fabulous breakfast we head out on a walking tour of the old town. Some of our energetic gals have opted for a bicycle tour of the old city and surrounding areas. Our guide is pleasant and knowledgeable and the weather is pleasant and the sky is sunny. The Gothic cathedral sits in the centre of town and is quite an architectural marvel. There is a gold tomb in the cathedral which has the bones of the 3 wise men. In the year 1164 the Germans stole the bones from Milan. It was at this time the German emperor decided to build the cathedral to house these bones. At one time this was the tallest building in Europe until the Eiffel tower was built. This is the city where cologne was invented in the year 1709. You can still purchase the original cologne named Farina.
Our afternoon was free to wander through the pedestrian zone to browse in the shops (excellent shopping here), eat strudel and to enjoy a Kolsch, Colognes beer. Most of the ladies included a visit to the Lindt chocolate factory. MMMM good.
This evening was the Captains cocktail party and farewell dinner. Everyone was dressed elegantly and the staff were introduced and appreciated for all their hard work. Judging by the applause everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time on board the Amadagio. The chef and wine staff seemed to get the greatest applause. They certainly deserved it.
Later in the evening many people gathered in the lounge for laughter, fun and dancing. Helen sang a few songs for us and everyone thoroughly enjoyed her music. Our new friends Eastern Canada and Australia joined in the fun.

Day 8 - Rhine Cruise, day trip to Heidelberg

2011-04-14T17:36:00.010-04:00

This morning our private coach departs Mainz and takes us on the Autobahn to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town. Here we enjoyed a guided walking tour of the red walled castle ruins, dating back to the 12th century and built over many centuries with various architectural styles. From the castle we have a magnificent view of the town below and the gentle Neckar River. The wine cellar houses ancient casks that held up to 30,000 gallons of wine. We continue our tour from the Hauptmarkt, the main square in town. After touring we enjoyed free time to wander the cobbled streets, shop in the quaint stores and enjoy a traditional lunch of schnitzel, potatoes and beer. Delicious. After lunch we visited the chocolate shop to purchase some of the famous student kisses. Our bus takes back along the autobahn to Rudesheim where the ship is now docked. Some of the ladies stayed behind today and to enjoy a walking tour of Mainz then sailed with the ship to Rudesheim.
After and early dinner we were taken by small local trains through town to the Siegfried Museum or a tour of the historical Musical Cabinet. What an experience. There were many wonderful music boxes dating back hundreds of years. Rudesheim is a quaint, charming town.

Day 7 - Cruising on the Rhine

2011-04-14T16:48:00.010-04:00

Today we begin our tour in Koblenz, the only city situated on both the Mosel and Rhine Rivers and two wine areas. The harbour area boasts a magnificent statue of William the 1st. Most of the old town was destroyed during World War Two. There a few original churches and buildings and some have been reconstructed. The weather has turned quite cool so most of the ladies returned to the ship after our tour. Some chose to wander through the quaint streets and visit the shops along the way. Everyone was back on the ship by mid day and were happy to settle into the comfy chairs at the front lounge with a cappuccino or hot chocolate.
The afternoon was relaxing and exhilarating. We gathered at the front lounge to enjoy the scenery as we cruised through the Rhine Gorge. MAGNIFICENT! Truly the highlight of my trip.
Steep slopes covered with vineyards and dotted with castles and picturesque villages. The area between Koblenz and Bingen is 65 kilometres and has the greatest concentration of castles and ruins, 30 to be exact. Some of the castles have been restored and are now inhabited only during the summer months as they are too damp and cool to live in during the winter months. The piano player serenaded us with wonderful music as we cruised through the majestic Rhine Gorge.
As we passed the famous Loreley Rock situated in the narrowest and deepest part of the gorge, the stewards passed out warm Loreley drinks (hot chocolate and amaretto) and the Loreley tune played on the loud speakers. Truly a moment to remember.
We finished our day off with a fabulous meal and a local singer came on board to entertain us with Frank Sinatra tunes. He was flamboyant and fun and engaged the whole audience. Another wonderful day and evening was enjoyed by all.

Happy Birthday Maddy

2011-04-14T02:58:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Maddy, love from Gramma (Judy). Have a great day!

Scarf tying with Dixie

2011-04-13T18:26:00.010-04:00

Our lovely Dixie has taken the time to teach us how to tie a scarf. The ladies are more than willing to be her models and everyone is delighted with the demonstration.
Debbie, Betty, Louise and Judy were willing models. The end result is shown in our group photo.

Day 6 - Cruising the Mosel River

2011-04-13T17:36:00.009-04:00

This morning we awake in the city of Cochem, a quaint town on the Mosel River. It's claim to fame is the magnificent Reichsburg Castle. This glorious castle sits above the town over looking the Mosel River, majestic and noble. Louis Ravena dedicated 10 years to restoring the castle and unfortunately he died 2 years after it's completion at the young age of 56.
This is a charming town with narrow cobbled streets lined with quaint shops. The ladies enjoyed their free time here browsing in the shops. Shoes seemed to be the most popular item here. The weather is a little cooler. A typical spring day , bright and crisp with a little rain.
We returned to the boat by 12:30pm to enjoy a fine lunch and an afternoon of relaxation and cruising along enjoying the scenery. The piano player is serenading us with lovely music as we take in the beauty of the Mosel river. The banks of the river are lined with vineyards which line the steep slopes.
This afternoon we had a private scarf tying party in the back lounge. Dixie taught us the many ways to tie a scarf. This evening we arrived in the dining room looking elegant in our finest attire topped off with a fabulous scarf. Many compliments were given to the beautiful Canadian women.

Day 5 - Cruising on the Mosel River

2011-04-13T02:42:00.009-04:00

This morning we finally have an opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Mosel River. Once again the weather is warm and sunny, with an expected high of 20 degrees. Perfect for sitting on the top deck and enjoying the scenery. The slopes are lined with vineyards and we wonder how they manage to work on such an incline which looks as though only goats could maneuver. The steep slope offers excellent drainage which makes the wine exceptional. Mosel Rieslings have become the groups new favourite wine. Did I mention the wine is included with our dinner each night. Even the non wine lovers have been converted.
This morning we are treated to German beer, schnaps and sausages. (our morning snack).
Then we head to the dining room for lunch. MMMMM good. Next, a walking tour. After all of the food and beer we are ready to walk some of it off. The ship docks right in the centre of Bernkastel, a charming town with quaint streets surrounded by timbered houses dating back to the 16th century. The ladies enjoyed their tour and shopping in the small boutique shops and are quickly discovering the unique products of the region.
This evening dinner is again a fabulous 2 hour experience with delicious food, delectable wines, excellent service and charming company. After dinner we are treated to a concert performed by local entertainers; La Strada. A very talented trio of young muscians. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the music performed by these gifted individuals.

Day 4 - River Cruise

2011-04-13T01:43:00.009-04:00

This morning we board a train in Paris and head towards the Mosel River. The TGV train is smooth, comfortable and very fast. We stop in a small town of Metz for lunch then we boarded the bus to continue our journey towards the river. Our first tour of the day is in the town of Luxembourg. This is a small city but a very powerful one in Europe. It is a banking city with over 150 banks, at one time there were over 200. The city is charming and once again the weather is in the mid 20's. Perfect for touring. Our next stop is the American War Memorial for World War Two. The rows and rows of white crosses brings tears to our eyes. There are over 5000 Americans buried here along with General Patton. There are many cemeteries like this throughout Europe. We board the bus and continue our drive to meet the Amadagio River ship. This evening we are greeted with a warm welcome and delicious dinner. It's apparent that the food is going to be absolutely delectable throughout the week and the service wonderful.

Day 3 - Paris

2011-04-11T12:34:00.007-04:00

Today was another free day to do as we please. The Visti Paris transit passes have sure come in handy for the subway and the RER trains (similar to our Go Trains). A group of us took a day trip to Chateaux Versailles. Two trains later we finally arrived. It's another hot sunny day and the temperature reached at least 25 degrees. Many of us were wishing we had our sandals and capris.
Versailles is a magnificent series of buildings with ornate decorations on the ceilings and walls and exquisite furnishings. Then there's the gardens, fountains and lake. Situated on many hectares the property seems to go on as far as the eye can see. Upon our return to Paris we found a lovely cafe and relaxed in the sun shine with a glass of wine. A great way to end a wonderful touring day. In the evening we went back to the same restaurant as the night before as the food was great, service wonderful and the weather summer like. We spent hours eating, drinking wine and reminiscing about our adventure in Paris. Tomorrow we are taking the train and bus to meet our ship in Reimich, situated on the charming Mosel River.

2011-04-11T07:37:00.009-04:00

Day 1 - Paris

Finally I am able to get internet access to post some photos and stories.
Paris was absolutely fabulous. The weather was hot and sunny, the average temperature is 25 degrees and one day it was 28. It's like summer. Wonderful!

The first day we walked to the Arc d Triumph ,then took the subway to Mont Martre area to visit the famous Sacre Cour Basilica.
That evening we all had dinner together as a group at the George V restaurant around the corner from our hotel. The Meridien Ecoile is very comfortable and easy walking distance to the Metro and RER rail system. Paris is an easy city to maneuvre on foot or public transport.
This evening some of us walked to the Eiffel tower and others took a taxi. We enjoyed an evening cruise along the Seine river to view the city of lights,. The Eiffel tower looks magnificent all lit up.

Day 2 - Paris
We start our day with a 4 hour guided bus tour of Paris to view the main sites. Our guide was very informative and very friendly. Notre Dame Cathedral was ahighlight and we were given some free time to explore inside the cathedral and to visit some of the surrounding shops.
The shopping begins!
After the tour the ladies split up into smaller groups. Everyone had a metro pass and most had the museum pass. Some of the things the ladies did were: explored the Champs Elysee, visited the Toulerie Gardens, the Luuvre Museum, D'Orsay museum, went to the top of Eiffel tower and esxplored the shops. Some rested to get over their jet lag. That evening some of the women took in dinner and show or just the show at the Moulin Rouge. They loved it. Others found a local restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely dinner on the outdoor patio. Can you imagine witting outside till 1030 at night in April. Spring time in Paris is glorious.

2011-04-05T07:17:00.002-04:00

Only 1 more sleep before we board the plane for Paris. I can hardly wait.
19 Wonderful women will spend 3 days exploring the fabulous city of Paris. Museums, galleries, the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame and the Moulin Rouge will be some of the highlights of our trip.
Then we embark on a 7 day Rhine River cruise on the luxury 5star Amadagio river ship.
I invite you to follow our journey by visiting my daily travel blog.

More to come, stayed tuned.

Check out our itinerary, click here to view European River Cruise

Paris sightseeing options

2011-03-18T08:51:00.004-04:00

The count down is on, only 15 days till the Womens Travel Network departs for Paris. I've been researching sightseeing options. Here is my number one must see. Chateaux Versailles.

The castle was the official seat of power until 1789, but has since been seen as the unofficial seat. Also known as the “cradle of liberty” (Berceau-de-la-Liberté) it was here that the people of Paris made their stand against King Louis XV1, forcing the Royal Family to leave behind their life of decadence and move back to the true capital city of Paris.

The Palace of Versailles is surrounded by a number of spectacular groves and gardens which are scattered, in amazing numbers, with beautiful sculptures and fountains.

BRITAIN - Travel tips and information

2011-02-25T11:58:00.029-05:00

BRITAIN: Exciting cities, historic places rich in heritage, stunning countryside and beautiful coastlines. There's a destination to suit everyone in Britain. Destinations and maps click here....

POPULATION: 61.4 million
MAIN AIRPORT: London Heathrow
CURRENCY: Pound Sterling 1GPB equivalent to 1.60 CAD
LANGUAGE: English, Welsh, Gaelic, Scots
MAIN TOWNS: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast

COUNTRIES: Britain is full of contrasts; whichever direction you travel you will find a wide variety of landscapes and diverse cultures to explore. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all unique countries with their own customs, cultures and tradition.
England is the largest country in Britain, and home to the largest city in Europe, 600 miles of beautiful coastline, and a population almost three times that of Australia. Guide ....
Scotland is everything you imagine - whiskey, golf, romance of the clans and a wealth of castles and historic sites. The Highlands area is one of the last wildernesses in Europe. Guide ....
Wales is different from other parts of Britain and just 2 hours from Heathrow Airport. With 400 castles, yet only one official motorway, you have to take things at a gentle pace. Guide....
Northern Ireland. Vibrant cities with shopping, nightlife and festivals, outdoor activities, fabulous food and unspoiled retreats where you can unwind, relax and recharge. Guide.....

HISTORY:
Great Britain was the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century and played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its peak, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. Click to read more....

GETTING THERE:
There are many flight options from the major cities across Canada to the main airports in Britain. Air Canada, British Airways and Air Transat all offer direct flights into London's main airports as well as other locations in Britain. May to October is high season so if considering a trip during these months it is advisable to plan early.

CAR RENTALS
Hiring a car is a great way to travel around Britain at your own pace. You can use one for your whole visit or for a short part of it. You'll need to have a full, valid licence issued in your country of residence and held for at least a year (some companies ask for 2 years). If your licence is not issued by an EC/ECA country, an International Driver's Permit may be required. Check out the information on driving regulations........

SPECIAL EVENTS 2011 AND THINGS TO DO:
The Royal Wedding - On April 29th Prince William will marry Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey, London. The day has been declared a public holiday.
London Theatre - This year promises a number of big shows. Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz at The London Palladium. A much anticipated musical version of the 1990 film Ghost, at the Piccadilly Theatre, directed by Matthew Warchus .
London theatre guide click here....
The Stage - The Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon. For a schedule of what's playing click here....

GETTING AROUND:
Travelling by rail - Britain's rail network is modern and efficient. It covers all the main cities as well as smaller regional towns. The network is made up of a few large companies, which run routes from London to stations all over Britain, and smaller companies running routes in regional areas. You can buy a train ticket for any departure point to any destination on the National Rail network at any train station. National Rail schedules and fares.....
Rail Passes - If you're going to make lots of train journeys, there are a number of Britrail passes available to help you get the best value. Click here....
Fast trains to airports - The Heathrow Express train is the fastest way to get into central London from London Heathrow airport. Trains depart every 15 minutes and take just 15 minutes to reach London Paddington train and underground station. Click here.....
The Gatwick Express train is the fastest way to get into central London from Gatwick Airport. Trains depart every 15 minutes and take just 30 minutes to reach London Victoria train, bus and underground station. Click here....
London Travel Card - unlimited 1 or 7 day travel passes for London's underground, buses and trains. Click here for info....

SIGHTSEEING:
London Sightseeing Pass - Free entry to over 50 top London attractions. Save up to £500 on entrance fees. Click here for info....
Great British Heritage Pass - Free entry to over 580 castles, gardens and stately homes.
Click here for info
Attractions in England - click here....
Attractions in London - click here....
Attractions in Scotland - click here....
Attractions in Whales - click here....
Family day out: Castles offer great family days out, with events, exhibitions and activities available in wonderful surroundings for the whole family to enjoy. For the TOP 10 family days out at Britains castles click here....

TRAVELLERS TIPS:
Free Mobile Guides - You can now get loads of top website information including destinations guides, maps, attractions, events and accommodation listings live and completely free to your mobile phone. Bye bye guidebooks! Free guides to your mobile....
Tourist Guides - Blue Badge Guides are registered, professional tourist guides who are passionate about British history, art, literature, and traditions, and know how to bring them to life. Tourist guides ......

GREAT BRITAIN'S WORLD HERITAGE SITES
There are a number of sites in Britain recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites : Hadrian's Wall, Westminster Abbey, Giant's Causeway, Bath, and Canterbury Cathedral to name a few. These sites range from natural beauties like the Dorset and East Devon coast to cultural riches such as The Tower of London and Stonehenge. To view a list of these sites click here.....

COACH TOURS Sit back relax and watch the British countryside roll out before your eyes on an escorted coach tour. Traveling in luxury motor-coaches and with the expertise of a professional guide you will travel further and learn more than when traveling independently. An escorted coach tour has one all-inclusive price, and there are many tour companies offering a range of itineraries taking you to all corners of England, Scotland and Wales.
Insight Vacations offers a variety of tours from as few as 4 days up to 22 days with their most popular tours filling quickly. When booking early you save: pay in full 10 months prior to departure and save 7.5%, pay in full 6 months prior and save 5%. Single travellers savings with Insights match program, they will match you with someone of the same gender so you don't have to pay the single supplement. Click here for Insights Britain & Ireland tour info ....
Globus, Cosmos, Monograms provide a variety of vacations that address the needs of today's diverse travelers. Whether its fully escorted, premium or independent.
Globus offers luxury escorted coach tours of Britain and Ireland. Globus tour info ....
Cosmos offers affordable escorted coach tours of Britain and Ireland. Cosmos tour info ....
Monograms combines freedom and helpful assistance so you get more fun and less hassle with your vacation. Book on select 2011 Europe Vacations and save $200. Monograms tour info ....
Trafalgar offers a variety of travel experiences: first class escorted coach tours, CostSaver tours, At Leisure and Family Experiences. Trafalgar tour info....
Collette offersa variety of travel styles: educational, small group and family tours. For tours click on the following Educational, Family vacations, Scotland, Wales

Contact Womens Travel Network if you require assistance with planning your trip to Britain.
P: 905-771-8338 or toll free 1-888-419-0118
Email: info@womenstravelnetwork.ca

Florence - the last hurrah

2010-10-15T15:59:00.010-04:00

For our last day in Florence the ladies visited the galleries. Some went to the Uffizi and the others went to admire Michelangelo's statue of David. Each gallery has magnificent works of art by famous masters. The balance of the day was free time to explore the markets, enjoy the piazza's, shop in the fine stores, rub the nose of the bronze pig for good luck or visit the Duomo. A few ladies ventured across the Ponte Vecchio to check out the shops or to visit the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. The Pitti was the grand home of the Medici family. Judging by the smiling faces a good day was had by all.

Florence

2010-10-15T01:59:00.007-04:00

Florence is a beautiful Renaissance city with narrow cobble stone streets, grand palaces and the magnificent Dumo: Santa Maria del Fiore. Built in the 14th century this was to be the largest church in all of Italy. The facade was made from three types of marble from the Tuscany region, white or Carerra marble, green and pink. The Dumo, Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistery are certainly a sight to behold and each year draw many visitors from all over the world.
Florence also has the famous San Lornezo leather market, the ladies first stop. The stalls are filled with leather goods; coats, shoes, gloves and purses. They also have wonderful cashmere scarves and pashminas. Needless to stay there were many purchases made in the market.
This afternoon we enjoyed a walking tour of the historical city. Our guide Lucia was very knowledgeable and informative.
Dinner was at the Frescobaldi Wine Bar for another amazing meal. All of our dining experiences in Tuscany have been sumptuously delicious. After dinner we took a leisurely walk back to our hotel. The buildings are just as beautiful in the evening as they are in the day. We came upon a gathering of people in front of the Uffizi Gallery and to our delight there was a young man entertaining the crowd with wonderful songs. He playedthe guitar and serenaded us many popular tunes from the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver and many more. When we returned to the hotel some of the ladies gathered on the rooftop patio to admire the ancient buildings and towers of the historical city and a night cap of Lemoncello.
A wonderful ending to a perfect day!

Pienza & Montalcino

2010-10-15T01:31:00.001-04:00

Our first stop this morning was an organic farm where they made many products: wine, honey, olive oil, sheep and goats cheese. This area is well known for the production of pecorino cheeses made from sheeps milk. The owners explained the process of making these fine cheeses and treated us to a wonderful wine and cheese tasting, From here we went on to the charming hilltop town of Pienza. This town was built in only 3 years by Pope Pius the 2nd, The view of the Ortia Valley is magnificent. Our next stop was the walled medieval city of Montalcino. Unfortunately the weather was cool and a bit rainy. The clouds moved in over the town so we were unable to admire the view which I am sure is spectacular. The Montalcino area is known for it's production of Brunello wines, made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. The making of this wine is very controlled and they wine makers must adhere to many specifications. They are excellent wines and very expensive. We stopped at one of the top winery's for a sampling of these exceptional wines.

2010-10-12T16:35:00.005-04:00

Today we drove through the beautiful Tuscan countryside from Radda to Castelina to meet Laura, our cooking instructor. She took us shopping in her local town to purchase the food we would prepare in our class. We visited her favourite butcher and vegetable market. Then we drove to her spectacular farm / wine estate. It is absolutely stunning. The gals donned their aprons and assisted Laura in preparing our fabulous lunch. They made appetizers - bruschetta, crustini with pecarino cheese and another with an olive mixture. Next was beef stew coked slowly in the oven with garlic, basil and wine (lots of wine). They made fresh tomato sauce for the pasta and a heavier sauce for the second pasta. Did I mention we are eating way too much food on this trip. They also made a spinach dish with raisins and pine nuts. For dessert we had a creaming ricotta cheese mixed with a local liquor. After preparing the amazing dishes we enjoyed the meal out on the patio, under the Tuscan sun. Tomorrow we are off to Pienza to taste Pecarino cheese (made from sheeps mild) and to Montalcino to taste Brunello (fine Tuscan wine) It's going to be another yummmy day.

Chianti wine tasting

2010-10-11T17:20:00.006-04:00

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This morning our day began with an visit of the Castello di Verrazzano winery. They took us on a tour of the cellars, wine making facilities and best of all a wine tasting.

Their Chianti Classico and Chianti Reserve were supreme. The view from this location was beautiful. The building is situated high on a hill top overlooking the Tuscan hills, with rows and rows of vines and olive trees as far as the eye can see. This area of Tuscany is certainly impressive.

Chianti Region

2010-10-11T16:38:00.007-04:00

This was an action packed afternoon which began with lunch at Mac Dario's butcher shop in Panzano. He is a famous personality with his his own cooking show on Italian TV. Upon arrival we were greeted with a glass of wine and music from Frankie Valley which got the girls singing and dancing. Next we were treated to an amazing lunch, tbone steak burgers. MMMM good. This was the best burger and fries I've ever tasted.

Our next stop was an local artist's pottery studio for a guided tour . The pieces are exquisite and sold in some of the most expensive shops in Italy and shipped all over the world.
Then off to Castello di Brolio, the second largest winery in the Chianti region.
We were supposed to have a tour of the castle and winery but our charming bus driver took a detour through the dirt roads and ended up at the back entrance of the castle,.The scenery was incredible.Unfortunately we were late for our appointment so they would not let us in. We had to skip the castle tour and move on to a tour of the wine cellars and wine tasting. I've never seen so many barrels of wine and it was mostly Chianti. The wine tasting was delicious. This evening's dinner was at La Botte di Baccoa Restaurant, a charming little restaurant in the town of Radda and walking distance from out hotel. Every mouthful was unbelievably delectable. We certainly have been treated to some excellent wines, food and service. Italy is a fabulous place to visit.

Cortona - Under the Tuscan Sun

2010-10-11T01:59:00.007-04:00

This morning we started our day in the town of Cortona, made famous by Frances May's book and later a movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". Our first stop was to view her villa "Bramasole", a beautiful home on the outskirts of town. The ladies were delighted to pose for photos in front of the villa. The town is perched high on a hill top, only accessible by foot. The narrow street leading to the main square has many interesting shops. The ladies were quite happy to check them out. A few purchases were made. No, let me rephrase that, quite a few purchases were made. The ancient streets wind their way up and down the hills and lead to spectacular views of the valley below. In the main square we were treated to a wedding. A wonderful morning was enjoyed by all.

Arezzo

2010-10-11T01:26:00.006-04:00

This afternoon we visited Arezzo, a busy University town our first stop was an Osteria for a delicious lunch of pizza and large salads.
The old city is charming and the main street is lined with beautiful shops and to the delight of the ladies, there was an open air market in the main square. A great afternoon of shopping and browsing was had by all. The large cathedral was very beautiful, with many frescoes and spectacular stained glass windows. Tomorrow we are spending the day in the Chianti region, famous for it's fine wines and spectacular scenery. Our first stop will be a wine cellar for a tour and wine tasting. This should be a fund day!

San Gimignano and Siena

2010-10-10T01:36:00.004-04:00

Our first full day in Tuscany was wonderful. We visited the charming town of San Gimignano, famous for its many medieval towers. The ladies enjoyed strolling trough the narrow streets and browsing in the shops. A few of the gals found an fabulous purse shop and came out with some wonderful purchases.
Our next stop was a family run farm that produces organic foods. They had a wonderful table set for us and here we enjoyed a delicious lunch, paired with some fabulous Vernacchia wines from the region. The view was wonderful, the weather delightful and the food was delectable.
Our next stop was Siena. Our city guide took us on a walking tour of the town, explaining the history, culture and about the famous Palio race which takes place every July and August. This is a competition bewtween the contradras of the various districts of Siena. It brings a strong sense of community to the people. The main square was filled with people sitting and enjoying the sunshine and many of the locals were out strolling the streets on this wonderful Saturday afternoon. The last stop of the tour was to view the incredible Siena Cathedral. This structure took over 700 years to complete. It is made of 3 types of marble, green, white and pink. The facade is embelished with statues and ornate design, certainly a sight to behold. Part of the structure was left incomplete as this was from the era of the great plague. Unfortunately due to the many deaths they did no have the man power to comlete the structure. This unfinished building is a sad reminder of a difficult time in history.
Our dinner this evening was in a local Siena restaurant and they served us a medieval dinner of traditional Siennese foods. Traditional meant no forks or spoons. It was fun using our hands to eat our meal.
Sunday we are off to explore Arezzo and Cortna. The latter made famous by Frances Mays book and movie "Under the Tuscan Sun"

Radda in Chianti, Italy

2010-10-08T12:26:00.003-04:00

We have arrived safe and sound. The flights were smooth and uneventful. Most of the ladies slept from Toronto to Rome and arrived feeling slightly refreshed. Our connecting flight to Florence was smooth and fast. Before we knew it we were in Florence. We met up with Becky (from Dallas) and Claudia our tour guide. The hour long ride to Radda in Chianti was very scenic. The ladies are excited. We have full day planned for tomorrow, visiting two towns, San Gimignano and Siena.
This evening we will taste our first glass of Chianti and enjoy some fabulous Italian food. Pictures to follow.

2010-09-28T06:00:00.002-04:00

Nanette is leaving Ailene, Pat, Tricia and Kathy today. They will do some more sightseeing and would like to visit Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre on Wednesday, and of course fitting in more shopping!

Kathy is determined to cover entire Paris by foot., including the modern new part La Defense.

As much as we have tried to give you a flavour of the tour via this blog, the experience and joy de vivre among the group cannot really be expressed.

You just had to be here!

Don't miss the next one.

Paris by night

2010-09-28T05:54:00.002-04:00

We took a boat tour on the Sine to see Paris by night. It was fabulous!

Les Passages

2010-09-28T05:49:00.002-04:00

These are covered arcades for shopping. Quite the find!

Flowers for Francoise

2010-09-28T05:43:00.002-04:00

Francoise is the receptioniste at the hotel and we bought her some flowers to thank her for her excellent service and her patience!

The Moulin Rouge is alive and well.

Monday, Sept. 27th

2010-09-28T05:36:00.003-04:00

Aileen, Pat, Kathy, Tricia and Nanette are staying in Paris till Sept. 30th.

We took the bus tour again and enjoyed the sights of Montmartre,

Place de la Replublique, d saw a glimpse of the Sacre Coeur, and The Moulin Rouge

We even found The Passages!

Our last Dinner -Sunday evening

2010-09-28T05:29:00.002-04:00

Ou last dinner together and Diana's birthday celebration.

It was delicious! Blood sausages, oxtail, pate, cod fish, lamb,baba au rum, brie, etc etc! We are all gaining weight, in spite of all the walking we do..

Safe trip home to some of our ladies!

More Paris tourist sights

2010-09-28T05:24:00.001-04:00

Images of Saint-Germain-des-Pres; close to our hotel

2010-09-28T05:17:00.003-04:00

Diana, our third birthday girl - enjoying a French onion soup.

In Luxemburg Park

2010-09-28T05:12:00.002-04:00

The gardens are at their best - the end of September! Our gardeners, Lindsay and Pat took many photos.

The Orange Loop on the Bus tour took us past Montparnasse, Esplanade des Invalides, the Latin Quarter and the beautiful Notre Dame church.

Sunday, Sept. 26

2010-09-28T05:06:00.002-04:00

Sunday morning, in the Jardin du Luxembourg, a beautiful park close to our hotel.

Ten ladies decided to tour the city on L'Open Tour Bus.

2010-09-27T13:39:00.004-04:00

The After Party was in Kathy's red room (with two balconies and a shower!).

As you can see, we all had fun!

2010-09-27T13:37:00.000-04:00

One of the delicious appetizers!

More restaurant photos

2010-09-27T13:31:00.004-04:00

As you can see, a good time was had by all!

Diner Saturday night

2010-09-27T13:25:00.007-04:00

Lindsay and Judy at our wonderful restaurant in Paris.

We had a choice of either an appetizer and main course, or main course and dessert. Lots of wine was needed to make sure everyone was happy after we found out we had rooms with double beds instead of twin beds.

But, true to form, everyone realized what a great location the hotel was at - right in the centre of trendy and expensive St. Germain, and walking distance to great shopping!

What an amazing group of women I am travelling with! Thanks to Francoise at the reception for her patience.

On the train to Paris

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The ladies on the fast train TGV from Avignon to Paris.

It was not easy getting all the luggage on board, but we managed!

Paris - Here we come!

Saturday, September 25

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Travel day to Paris - we hopped aboard the TGV - a hi-speed train that took us from Avignon to Paris in 2 hours and 40 minutes - normally an 8 hour drive. We settled in to our hotel - a charming place right in the heart of Ste. Germaine - again prime shopping area and right next to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. In the afternoon, our charming guide - Pierre, of course, led us on a 3 hour walking tour of the area - merveilleuse.

We stopped into a little bistro to warm ourselves up - wine naturally, since there has been a big change in the weather - a little cold and rainy. Wonderful dinner - again. Lots of wine was drunk by all and what was left we used for the party continuing back in the hotel. Tomorrow - free day for sightseeing.

Friday, Sept. 24

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Today we are travellling to 3 of the most interestings spots in Le Luberon area. First stop was Notre-Dame de Senanque Abbey - a Cisterican monestary still active today. Founded in the 12th century the monestary is self-sustaining through sales of Lavender and Honey. The monks are a contemplative order and never speak except for one hour per day. In middle ages, their day started at 2 a.m., after sleeping on the unheated stone floors. Nowadays, they can sleep in until 4 a.m. - they have beds, but still no heat!

On to Gardes - a hilltop village/fortress carved out of the gold sandstone - absolutely beautiful and great shopping - we all had a great time finding our way through the alleys and narrow streets of Gardes. Then on to Roussilon - noted for its red pigments - and again a great tourist attraction with lots of shopping.

Tomorrow - PARIS!!!!!

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Dessert was Creme Brulee infused with lavender honey.

It is Diana's birthday on the 26th, and we started celebrating it early!

It was a great day and everyone had a fabulous time.

Off to bed early for our trip to Le Luberon, Rousillion and Bonnieux tomorrow.

Rain in the forecast for the first time,
but we have had suvh great weather so far! No complaints.

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This is our first course. Tatin Tomato Tart.

It was delicieuse!!

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Liz and Mari
Above are Liz and Marion working as a team to fill the flowers of the zuchini with a delicious fish mousse.

Kathy on the right is showing off her skills as a mushroom decorator !

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Lindsay carrying the goat cheese tray to the restaurant!

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The crazy poultry guy on the left who showed us that the turkey had twins - and then he produced an egg! LOL!

Jean-Marc on the right explaining some things to us - in true French fashion - using his hands.

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We were at Les Halles so early, we had the place to ourselves!

Fabulous selection of the freshest foods.

Here you see all sorts of mushrooms...

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September 23, Cooking Lessons!

After some confusion, we met Jean-Marc at Les Halles, the equivalent of St. Lawrence Market. He explained the various foods to us. We had some good laughs at the poultry shop and learned all about cooking a chicken or so - including the head!

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Happy smiles - new friends!

Wednesday

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Wednesday evening... outdoors at another wonderful restaurant just 2 minutes from our hotel. We are so lucky to have such a central location - food, shopping, wine - all within walking distance - life is good!

Tonight's menu - zucchini tartar, gazpacho and salad, followed by pork with cream and mushrooms and then a toffee cake with coffee flavoured cream. Very difficult to choose our favourite meal so far.

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