A thank you note from Turkey

Hi, Rosemary-

Just a note to thank you for your help in planning our trip to Turkey. We had a wonderful time and all the preparation by you and Tamera made the logistics quite seamless. Tamera stayed "on it" the whole time, even calling us on the last day to recommend a fishing village and restaurant (including a special dish to order) when it was too rainy to go out on a boat. She was great. We were really happy renting a car and driving ourselves around-it gave us a lot of flexibility and freedom to go wherever and whenever we chose. We found Turkey an incredibly diverse and fascinating country, with great food, some tasty local wines, and people who could not be friendlier. The balloon ride was amazing, definitely not to be missed. Tamera hooked us up with the best company, and the only one that varies its send off place to maximize the views/wind. I was entranced by Capadoccia.

We adored the Muses House, a charming little hotel among olive trees, surrounding a small "endless" pool. It is a bit away from Ephesus and Kusadasi which means it is a serene retreat after a day of exploring. For people who like to drive themselves or don't want to be in town, it is perfect.

Thanks again for your help. We both consider this one of our best vacations ever.

Jackie



Rosemary Gwyther - Travel Consultant

Crystal Serenity from Istanbul to Venice

I sailed on the award-winning Crystal Serenity this fall from Istanbul to Venice. The ship holds 1080 passengers but our sailing was small with only 700 passengers. We were met in Istanbul by Berna Uzer with Nurdan’s United Travel Service (our on site in Turkey.) She was great and before we knew it we were checking in at the harbor after a great drive from the airport. She met us again the next day for a private tour of Istanbul.

I also visited the newly opened Park Hyatt Istanbul which is a wonderful small hotel in the tradition of Park Hyatt’s format of using existing historical buildings to reflect a taste of the city. The rooms were very contemporary and comfortable with great baths. The roof offered great views of the city and the Bosporus. I had stayed at the Kempinski Cirigan Palace and Ritz Carlton on a previous trip and had visited the Four Seasons Istanbul. All offer a different feeling of Istanbul.

It was great to stay overnight in Istanbul on board the ship. We were able to unpack for the whole cruise and relax knowing that the next day we would not have to worry about checking out of a hotel and getting to the ship on time.

The highlights of the trip for me were Kusadasi which I had not visited before. We had another guide from Nurdan who was very engaging and knowledgeable about the local history and stories. He came with us to visit our friend Mary’s home and then on to Ephesus, an ancient Roman and Greek city on the west coast of Anatolia near Selçuk, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek period.

This city was famous as the site of the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World before it was destroyed in 401 AD by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom. It is also the site of a large gladiators' graveyard. The restoration of Ephesus has been undertaken since 1885 by the Austrian Archaeological Institute and continues to this day.

In Athens, we visited the newly opened (June 2009) Acropolis Museum. It was designed by Bernard Tschum. It has an on site archaeological dig which is covered by flooring which allows you to view the excavation as you walk over it. Inside are all these wonderful artifacts from the Acropolis and the Parthenon which are very accessible to the public. The staff is friendly and eager to answer questions. The rooftop restaurant looks over the Acropolis and is a wonderful place to relax in a peaceful environment. The museum entrance fee is only 1 Euro through next spring.

The cruise ended with a mid day sail into Venice. Belinis were abundant, the decks were packed and we saw Venice unfold before us as we entered the city. We spent the night in Venice which gave everyone an opportunity to visit when the crowds were gone.We choose to have a private small group tour of St. Marks Basilica after it was closed for the day to the public and visited the rooms under the Nave where intimate weddings are sometimes performed. From its opulent design based on the Greek cross to the gilded Byzantine mosaic domes, it has surely earned its 11th century nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).

After two languid days at sea, it was time to say goodbye to our table mates from England and Canada. The group tours ashore were wonderful and informative but the ship itself was also its own destination. The lectures, movies, spa and pool were more than enough to keep our attention while aboard, not to mention the fabulous meals in the main restaurant and the two optional restaurants, NOBU and Prego.

Our cruise ended with British Airways flights to London and on to Chicago with a stop-over at the wonderful First Class lounge in Terminal Five and last minute shopping at the myriad of shops below. All in all, it was a wonderful end to a fascinating and relaxed cruise. Call me at extension 210 and I would be glad to set you up on a similar cruise.

Judy Pusch - Travel Consultant

An Autumn sojourn in Austria

Fall in Austria – opera season is in full swing, hillsides of woods and vineyards are splashed with vibrant autumnal colors, museums are not crowded, and it is the perfect season to hike off the excellent cuisine.

We have lived in Vienna for several extended periods and return to visit often. Last fall we took a nostalgia-filled trip with friends to introduce them to a country we know well and whose Kultur und Kuche (culture and cuisine) have so captivated us.

We started in Salzburg, the city of Mozart. Our wonderful hotel, The Goldener Hirsch, is located in the center of the old town. Décor is the height of Austrian charm – country-style antiques with carved wood furniture and hand printed fabrics in local designs. Their restaurant features contemporary takes on traditional Austrian cuisine – the Salzburger Nockerl dessert with its meringue peaks mimicking the nearby Alps was the best we’ve ever had.

Our first stop was the Hohen Salzburg, the hilltop castle fortress which dominates the town. Its tourist facilities were once dingy and cramped. Exhibits are now well labeled and displayed so the visitor gets a real understanding of its colorful history. The Mirabel Palace, whose gardens were famously featured in “The Sound of Music”, is another treat. And, of course, one needs to visit the childhood home of Salzburg’s favorite son, Mozart. I wonder if he ever got to taste those delicious chocolate/marzipan confections, Mozartkugeln, named for him. On Sunday we went to church.

You can enjoy beautiful music in spectacular settings for free in Salzburg and Vienna by checking out the Sunday church programs. We had the glorious experience of a Mozart Mass in the Salzburg Cathedral. You can also do what we did and ask your concierge about hiking trails. A bus will take you to any number of local trailheads where you can enjoy the hills and wooded landscape of the Salzkammergut.

It was then on to HallSatt, a scenic village tucked in next to sheer cliffs on the fjord-like HallStattersee. It is a calendar-perfect village of cobbled streets and luscious gardens – and a great base for some hiking or relaxing boat rides on the lake. We did not have time on this trip, but in the past have enlivened our stays with visits to the nearby salt mines and ice caves.

We drove east along the Danube (gray, alas, not blue) to the Wachau, the Danube river valley just northwest of Vienna. Here terraced hills are lined with vineyards which produce some of Austria’s finest vintages. Romantic little towns nestle beneath historic old castles and castle ruins. From our base in Durnstein, a tiny town on the river in whose hilltop caste Richard the Lion -Hearted was imprisoned on his way home from the crusades – and from which he was rescued by his loyal minstrel Blondel – we were able to do some wonderful touring. First, of course, we had to climb up to the castle to marvel at the astonishing view of the mighty river coursing through the verdant hilly landscape. A must for any visit to the Wachau is the magnificent abbey at Melk, one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the world. One of my favorites, a place most tourists miss, is the Renaissance castle of Schallaburg with its unique courtyard lined with terracotta statues.

Then it was on to Vienna. As the song says, “Wien, Wien nur du allein” – Vienna City of my Dreams. Indeed, Vienna has a special place in my dreams and my heart. We could not decide which hotel to use so divided our time between the gorgeously elegant Imperial and the hotel which for me defines Viennese hospitality and glamour, The Sacher. Someone once asked me what I would do if I had only one day to spend in Vienna. I think that is easier to explain than to start listing my favorite museums, churches, cafes, etc. I would begin at the Art History Museum and make a beeline for its extraordinary collection of paintings by Jan and Pieter Brueghel. I would then zip over to the Upper Belvedere Palace (with a walk through its charming garden) to admire its astonishing collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt ant Egon Schiele. If I had time I would visit the Leopold Museum in the new MuseumsQuartier Wien to sample more Schieles plus other works in its amazing collection of 19th and 20th century Austrian art.

I need a break for lunch. Will it be the simple Café Heiner on the mid-city pedestrian street? Café Sirk with its wonderful collection of salads? No, it must be that most classic of Viennese cafés, Demel, whose array of cakes and confections is unrivaled anywhere.

I would devote the afternoon to wandering. I would visit favorite churches like the Michaelerkirche with its marvelous Baroque altar, the Jesuitenkirche with it’s tromp de soleil ceiling, Maria am Gestade with its crooked nave. I would meander through the streets of the old quarter of Vienna with its tiny cobbled lanes, surprising courtyards (one must not be afraid to push open a door and peek inside), innovative galleries and shops, the haunting Holocaust Memorial. When walking through the massive courtyards of the royal palace, the Hofburg, would make a mental salute to the last emperor Franz Joseph (I still hear some old timers refer to “the emperor” as if he still lived there). Of course I would have to make time for a stop at a café for the traditional afternoon Viennese Jause of cake and coffee – perhaps at the historic Café Central or Café Landtmann, a University hangout. I would stroll through the City Park to gaze at the golden statue of Johann Strauss. If I have timed my stroll correctly, it will be the end of the afternoon and I will hear the Viennese melodies floating out from the daily concert in the nearby Kursalon.

And what to do with my evening? If there is an opera I want to see that is where I will certainly be with a light snack afterwards at the Café Imperial or the Café Sacher. No opera. Where should I dine? Will it be my very favorite restaurant in the suburbs, one of the few places one can still get traditional Austrian dishes like Wiener schnitzel, veal gulasch, zwiebelrostbraten (steak with fried onions)? Or will it be The White Chimney sweep where one can get traditional dishes served with a modern flair in a series of charming Alpine rooms? Or will be be Oesterreicher im MAK, (the fascinating Applied Arts Museum), the newest “in” restaurant in the city. For me it must be the Restaurant Anna Sacher in the Hotel Sacher for an iconic meal of tafelspitz and Sachertorte. No visit to Vienna is ever complete without a piece of Sachertorte!

For people with more than one day there is so much more to see and do. Plus Vienna is a perfect place from which to start a tour of Eastern European gems like Budapest, Prague and Krakow.

As the song continues, “Where I am happy and blessed is Vienna, Wien mein Wien!”

Margery Coen - Travel Consultant

Upscale Camping- for the Adventure Traveler

Pull up the tent pegs of history and pack away memories of soggy childhood camping trips, these days staying under canvas is less about smelly sleeping bags and communal toilets and more about thread-counted sheets and tents that come with private showers that is if you opt for the “boutique” camping experience.

Imagine an eco-tent with wood-burning stove and organic bedding; a Mongolian-style yurt that has woven textiles and stylish bathroom attached; a tent village complete with room service. Camping really has come a long way since my childhood days!

The cool camping bug is happening worldwide from the UK to Asia, North America to Africa you can find different types of designed camping experiences. Might it be customizing your experience tenting at a festival in Maharaja-type hunting tents, experience turkey in a customized nomadic yurt or taking the family to tent with the Four Seasons in the Golden Triangle in Thailand; it all exists for you to create the ultimate travel experience!

Some fun and interesting North American options include rock water Secret Cove Resort on the sunshine coast of British Columbia you will find amazing rugged beauty and elegance all in one. Each private luxury tent-house is appointed with deluxe furnishings, from fine linens on the king-size bed to the hydro-therapy tub with a view, propane fireplace, shoji screens and radiant floor heating. Private verandas feature exquisite outdoor furniture to enjoy the amazing ocean views.

We also love El Capitan Canyon outside of Santa Barbara a beachside eco camp which offers 26 raised-platform safari tents outfitted with comfy beds, woven rugs, and wood decks and is ideal for those who seek a traditional camping experience but with more of the creature comforts of home.

So weather its romance, small groups or family travel you can find a fantastic unique travel experience in luxury camping these days.

Contact Travel 100 Group for more information.

California's Harvest Wine Weekend

I’m just back from a week along the central California coast and already I am planning my next trip there. October 16- 18, 2009 is the Harvest Wine Weekend in the region surrounding Paso Robles where over 130 local wineries will host a myriad of activities in celebration of the 2009 harvest. It’s a pick and choose create your own itinerary which includes barrel tasting of previously uncorked vintages, bottling and blending seminars, even grape stomping tops the list as wine enthusiasts will get a rare peek at the processes surrounding a grape’s journey from the moment it leaves the vine until its splendor is released in the glass. From cheese sampling to spectacular gourmet dining, many venues will feature live music to enhance the experience under a leafy canopy of oaks and sycamores. As I plan this sojourn to my favorite and fastest-growing California wine region, I reflect on my affinity for the wine culture and what compels me to share news of this harvest event.

One cannot extol the virtues of the fermented grape without pause to celebrate the dedication of a vast network of growers and vintners as well. Each sip of wine is a labor of love - these specialized artisans deftly work with hands and hearts to produce the best wines available on the market today. Beyond this my affection is comprised of pure infatuation, easily spread and cautiously addictive. Behold the tint of a pale chardonnay held up to the sparkling light of a mid-day sun or the autumnal purple of a pinot noir as it tumbles into your glass. Rejoice in the design of architecturally unique tasting rooms which combine the tangible elements of wood, stone, stainless steel, tile or brick - some with fireplaces or polished rock floors, soaring ceilings, exposed beams, wooden tasting bars smooth from wear or granite cool to the touch. Gaping windows frame endless views, and paintings by local artists summon the eye. No matter the season, one cannot help but revel in the setting of the quintessential California landscape, rolling vineyards amidst the oaks under a timeless blue sky. Inhale the “feel good” green of a mid-summer vineyard as if every cell of your body can absorb its photosynthetic energy. Marvel in the harvest colors of an autumn field or pause in the tranquility of a vineyard in winter, barren in the pinkish glow of a late January sun. Each of these elements is exclusive, yet combined they exact the brush strokes of a painting which invites you to step in, experience and savor the essence of wine country as it is meant to be.

Paso Robles, small town that it is, offers the unexpected. The charming downtown with a historic central park is replete with restaurants, boutique shops, wine tasting rooms, and stores featuring locally produced olive oils for the sampling. Hotel choices in town range from the intimate Hotel Cheval to the one hundred year old Paso Robles Inn. California hospitality awaits you with a wide selection of bed and breakfast inns which dot the hills surrounding Highway 101. Venture a short drive west out Highway 46 and you will arrive at the fog-cooled Pacific Coast with legendary towns like Morro Bay, Cambria, and the Hearst Castle - each a destination unto itself. Forty-five minutes south of Paso Robles along Highway 101 you arrive at San Luis Obispo where a Thursday evening farmer’s market along Higuera Street attracts hordes of local folk vying for the attention of fruit, vegetable, and flower vendors, not to mention live music and mouth-watering barbeque at every turn. A perfect place to end your stay is at the Sycamore Mineral Springs with its 20 health-enhancing mineral springs that meander up sycamore and oak studded hillsides. Yoga classes and massage therapy at the springs make this the perfect place to unwind after indulging in the sights.

Elaine Pike- A Happy Traveller

Guatemala

Last summer I discovered a Latin American gem - Guatemala. I was invited to accompany three travel companions, one a native Guatemalan, on a two week journey through the country. I returned with a deep appreciation for the country’s history and cultural heritage. Colonial cities, outstanding cultural and archaeological sights, and rich indigenous artistry are among the many attractions along the way.

Antigua:

Antigua has a decidedly international flair being one of the largest Spanish language school venues in Latin America, and it draws visitors from around the world. Steeped in history and an abundance of colonial architecture, the city is a delight to explore. It will not take long for Antigua to cast a spell on you. Photo opportunities are plentiful at every turn with colorful stucco walls, arched wooden doorways and views of the surrounding volcanic peaks. Strolling about the cobblestone streets, the echoes of splashing fountains lure you across thresholds into charming courtyards. Unexpected treats await you - behind glass counters a candy shop displays exotic delicacies fashioned from honey, figs, and apricots, while across the street customers line up outside a bakery for fresh banana bread. Known for Mayan indigenous arts, there is no shortage of remarkable textiles, carved wooden masks and other crafts that are signature Guatemalan. On Saturdays, Antigua hosts a bustling market - the buzz of activity entices you to wind your way around the maze of vendor stalls and a cornucopia of foodstuffs. Antigua has a vast selection of lodging choices from rustic inns to elegantly restored convents, and restaurants from the casual cafe to the elaborate gourmet satisfy every appetite. The ever present hospitality and charm of Antigua makes it a memorable destination choice.

Lake Atitlan:

We spent three days on Lake Atitlan, a crater lake ringed by volcanoes where thirteen Mayan villages dot their way around the lake. Many inhabitants are present day descendants of the pre-conquest Maya, and wear the multi-colored traditional dress that distinguishes one village from the next. At our lakeside hotel in cosmopolitan Panajachel we surrendered to relaxation in hammocks strung along arched walkways, and swayed to the beat of marimba music lightly drifting through the hotel. While in Atitlan we embarked on a must-see day trip to the Thursday market in Chichicastenango where a dizzying display of colors, sights, and sounds dazzled the senses amidst white-washed church walls and a stark blue sky. We also took a boat excursion across the lake to the hamlet of Santiago Atitlan, set in the shadow of a turbulent history. The colonial church in Santiago Atitlan is well worth a visit; it is representative of the blending of Mayan and Catholic beliefs and the carved wooden altar at its forefront is a wondrous example - a mountain peak culminated by a cross symbolizes the Mayan world while dozens of statues of saints line the walls in indigenous garb. Atitlan, at the heart of Mayan culture, is a genuine Guatemalan experience.

Tikal:

Picture a 45 minute hike through jungle darkness accompanied by the shrieks of howler monkeys and the melodious cries of the toucan as the first morning light begins to spread through the trees. You wind your way up the wooden steps of scaffolding beside a towering pyramid, and seat yourself on a worn block of stone carefully stacked in place two thousand years before. There you await sunrise in swirls of fog, inhaling the sweet air while a cool breeze gently soothes you. This is Tikal National Park, and a pre-dawn sunrise hike was the highlight of my Guatemalan odyssey. Sitting in the company of strangers from around the globe, I felt a deep connection to the sanctity of the site in the silence of first light. Tikal was once a flourishing Mayan city-state, and its ruins are one of the best preserved examples of the stronghold. Atop a 200 foot pyramid known as Templo IV you marvel at the peaks of sister pyramids jutting from the tops of the green jungle canopy and soak in the wonder of it all. Following sunrise, we were treated to a two hour guided tour of the site’s massive pyramids, some of the tallest in the Mayan realm. The Parque Nacional Tikal is a fabulous archaeological site, well worth the time spent to travel there, a one hour flight from Guatemala City or for the more adventurous, an 8 hour bus ride into the northern department of Peten. We opted for the 8 hour bus ride past scenery and villages that are characteristic of Guatemala and its resilient people.

Elaine Pike-A Happy Traveler

Falling into Fall

The fall foliage trip is considered a classic American national rite of passage. For many, losing oneself in a landscape of ruby reds, deep purples, and outrageous oranges can be a semi-religious experience.

New England, of course, is the classic destination for American fall-foliage travelers, however there are beautiful autumnal landscapes to be found almost anywhere in the country. Below we have named a few of our favorites ideas to enjoy this spectacular season!

While Inn hopping in New England is considered the chic way to experience fall, we have found our Travel 100 Group clients also rave about the New England fall Cruise. Like any cruise, this affords you the opportunity to see more than you would book your stay at one location. There are several types of cruise lines each within fall within a different price point. The luxury cruise experience aboard the Crystal fleet includes elegantly furnished staterooms, five-star cuisine, and opulence in general. Smaller cruise lines like American Safari Cruises and Cruise West offer trips as intimate as a Sunday drive in the family mini-van, but with a bit more comfort!

Whether you opt for a big boat or a smaller ship, the experience has as much to do with the historic ports-of-call as the foliage itself.

However, if cruising is not your thing don’t rule out the amazing Inn experiences of New England. We can promise you lots of color and comfort too!

Canada

If you are a cyclist Canada’s Prince Edward Island a perfect place to ride. The national Rails for Trails program have turned the 180-mile long Confederation Trail into a cyclist’s dream. There is a stretch between Mount Stewart and Saint Peters is particularly beautiful and for a nice 16 mile morning ride bike along the Hillsburough River and in the second half you’re next to Saint Peter’s Bay; you can do the whole ride in a morning, have lunch there at the Trailside Inn, and return in the afternoon.

Wisconsin

Near the small town of Baraboo, Wisconsin lays Devil’s Lake State Park, where you can follow Park Road as it twists and turns through a glacially formed 10,000-acre preserve.

There are fantastic walking trails, over 30 miles that cover the beautiful colors of autumn. Tinged birch, maple trees and many others will fill your walks with the bliss of fall colors not to mention the great views of Devils Lake. The bluffs above the blue lake reflects the fall colors against the autumn sky it is just stunning. Make sure you allow time to head south to the car ferry at Merrimac. The short ride across the Wisconsin River also promises spectacular foliage views.

If you are in need of a great leaf guide we recommend:

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region

By Elbert L. Little

This book serves as both a fall leaf guide and tree identification book. It is a light and compact book that can be easily carried on leaf viewing hikes.

Please contact Travel 100 Group for more information on a custom detailed itinerary.

Tammy Zacks-Travel 100 Group