Need another reason to see a cool Ferrari video? We didn't think so
Top 5 Reasons to Travel This Holiday Season
The economy, recession and unemployment are all good reasons not to travel this holiday season, but there are some pretty good reasons as well to get away and play.
1. Prices will never be lower. Historically travel overall has never been the less expensive, many companies including airlines, hotels and tour operators have drastically lowered pricing to encourage travelers to take to the roads, seas and sky’s. In the near future not only will prices go back to pre-recession levels but will likely increase to compensate for lost revenue over the last year.
2. Travel clears your head. No matter if you journey a few miles from home for a weekend getaway or travel 10,000 miles; travel gets you out of the daily grind and gives you a new perspective on your current situation. By going outside your bubble, it gives you the opportunity to look around and think a different way about the daily life. Getting away may give you a perspective on your life that you couldn't see before within the walls of your own home. If you're one of the many Americans who is unemployed or is struggling in this economy a simple road trip within 100 miles of your house to see something in nature, to visit a museum, to get out of the daily grind of worry is a great benefit to the ability to think your way out of a situation that you find yourself.
3. Experiences are more valuable than possessions. A study by Ryan Howell, assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University found that experiences make us happier than possessions. That's in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day. Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred. Giving the gift of travel this holiday season will reap rewards much longer than another pair of socks.
4. Reconnect with friends and family. Pricing for travel has never been so low so now is the time to reconnect with old college friends or family members you haven't seen in many years. This is a great opportunity to reach rekindle the bond of friendship and family through the amazing offers you can find for travel in the United States and abroad. During this holiday season hotels and resorts are offering complementary nights as well as dining perks during your visit. The back to back holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Quanza combined with overall industry savings makes a short holiday very reasonable.
5. Contribute to economic recovery. Stimulus, stimulus, stimulus; these are the words we hear every second on TV and read in every other page of our newspapers. The concept is simple, spend money and the economy will improve. The travel and hospitality industries are some of the hardest hit by the economic downturn. There is no better time to support your local economy by going for a trip, calling your local travel agent or booking a hotel for a romantic evening away from home. It is only by working together that we will all benefit from recovery.
Rem Malloy is owner and President of http://www.travel4real.com a tour operator and custom trip planning company with offices in USA and Europe. Visit the site for information and ideas for planning your own trip for the holidays
1. Prices will never be lower. Historically travel overall has never been the less expensive, many companies including airlines, hotels and tour operators have drastically lowered pricing to encourage travelers to take to the roads, seas and sky’s. In the near future not only will prices go back to pre-recession levels but will likely increase to compensate for lost revenue over the last year.
2. Travel clears your head. No matter if you journey a few miles from home for a weekend getaway or travel 10,000 miles; travel gets you out of the daily grind and gives you a new perspective on your current situation. By going outside your bubble, it gives you the opportunity to look around and think a different way about the daily life. Getting away may give you a perspective on your life that you couldn't see before within the walls of your own home. If you're one of the many Americans who is unemployed or is struggling in this economy a simple road trip within 100 miles of your house to see something in nature, to visit a museum, to get out of the daily grind of worry is a great benefit to the ability to think your way out of a situation that you find yourself.
3. Experiences are more valuable than possessions. A study by Ryan Howell, assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University found that experiences make us happier than possessions. That's in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day. Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred. Giving the gift of travel this holiday season will reap rewards much longer than another pair of socks.
4. Reconnect with friends and family. Pricing for travel has never been so low so now is the time to reconnect with old college friends or family members you haven't seen in many years. This is a great opportunity to reach rekindle the bond of friendship and family through the amazing offers you can find for travel in the United States and abroad. During this holiday season hotels and resorts are offering complementary nights as well as dining perks during your visit. The back to back holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Quanza combined with overall industry savings makes a short holiday very reasonable.
5. Contribute to economic recovery. Stimulus, stimulus, stimulus; these are the words we hear every second on TV and read in every other page of our newspapers. The concept is simple, spend money and the economy will improve. The travel and hospitality industries are some of the hardest hit by the economic downturn. There is no better time to support your local economy by going for a trip, calling your local travel agent or booking a hotel for a romantic evening away from home. It is only by working together that we will all benefit from recovery.
Rem Malloy is owner and President of http://www.travel4real.com a tour operator and custom trip planning company with offices in USA and Europe. Visit the site for information and ideas for planning your own trip for the holidays
Italy 4 Real helps make teen’s wish to tour Italy come true -- Make-A-Wish Foundation teams up with local travel company
Italy 4 Real helps make teen’s wish to tour Italy come true
-- Make-A-Wish Foundation teams up with local travel company --
SEATTLE–Italy 4 Real, a Pacific Northwest-based travel company specializing in small
group tours to Italy and Europe, was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® to
grant a local teen her dream to experience Italy. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a
national non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening
medical conditions.
“Italy 4 Real is proud to partner with the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Deborah de Maio, chief executive officer at Italy 4 Real. “If we can play a part in realizing the dream of a young girl who has gone through so much in her life, then we feel we’ve accomplished something good and meaningful.”
Italy 4 Real is a local tour company that offers exclusive small group tours to Italy of 16 guests or less, visiting handpicked locations, quaint inns, with unique itineraries.
Seventeen-year-old Brittany Fugatt, who has end-stage renal disease, will depart from
Seattle on June 26 and return July 7. Brittany’s wish is to travel to Italy with her family to experience its rich history and culture. Her trip includes a tour through Venice, Florence and Rome where the family will visit the forum, the ruins and the coliseum.
“Also, while I’m in Italy, I would like to look around the small markets and stuff like that; the whole touristy thing” said Brittany. “I would also like to do a little bit of shopping cause you have to get leather in Italy.”
”While the special memories of a wish experience cannot be measured in dollars and
cents, it can cost thousands of dollars to grant each wish,” said Sandra Pérez, Make-A Wish communications manager. “Yet, thanks to all our donors and volunteers, no child who qualifies for a wish is turned away.”
According to Jill Dean, Make-A-Wish wish coordinator, Italy 4 Real has expertly
organized all the details of Brittany’s upcoming vacation.
“They have been wonderful to work with,” said Dean. “I am so impressed with their
professionalism and the contacts they have in Italy. No request has been too big or too small. We were very lucky to find them.”
About The Make-A-Wish Foundation®
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. It is the largest wish-granting organization in the world, with dozens of chapters across the United States and its territories and international affiliates on five continents. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 100,000 wishes to children around the world since 1980. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.northwestwishes.org or call 800-304-WISH.
About Italy 4 Real Tours, Llc.
Italy 4 Real, www.italy4real.com, is a subsidiary of Pacific Northwest-based travel
company; Travel 4 Real specializing in small group tours, custom itinerary and event
planning to Europe. Owned and operated by mother and son team, Deborah de Maio
and Rem Malloy, Italy 4 Real brings the history and culture of Italy to life.
Each tour is hand picked -- every hotel, room and restaurant. On its 13-day tour,
travelers are escorted by the owners of the company who make certain the highest
quality and customer service is received. Italy 4 Real is focused on providing travelers with a unique experience at a reasonable price without hidden costs.
-- Make-A-Wish Foundation teams up with local travel company --
SEATTLE–Italy 4 Real, a Pacific Northwest-based travel company specializing in small
group tours to Italy and Europe, was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® to
grant a local teen her dream to experience Italy. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a
national non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening
medical conditions.
“Italy 4 Real is proud to partner with the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Deborah de Maio, chief executive officer at Italy 4 Real. “If we can play a part in realizing the dream of a young girl who has gone through so much in her life, then we feel we’ve accomplished something good and meaningful.”
Italy 4 Real is a local tour company that offers exclusive small group tours to Italy of 16 guests or less, visiting handpicked locations, quaint inns, with unique itineraries.
Seventeen-year-old Brittany Fugatt, who has end-stage renal disease, will depart from
Seattle on June 26 and return July 7. Brittany’s wish is to travel to Italy with her family to experience its rich history and culture. Her trip includes a tour through Venice, Florence and Rome where the family will visit the forum, the ruins and the coliseum.
“Also, while I’m in Italy, I would like to look around the small markets and stuff like that; the whole touristy thing” said Brittany. “I would also like to do a little bit of shopping cause you have to get leather in Italy.”
”While the special memories of a wish experience cannot be measured in dollars and
cents, it can cost thousands of dollars to grant each wish,” said Sandra Pérez, Make-A Wish communications manager. “Yet, thanks to all our donors and volunteers, no child who qualifies for a wish is turned away.”
According to Jill Dean, Make-A-Wish wish coordinator, Italy 4 Real has expertly
organized all the details of Brittany’s upcoming vacation.
“They have been wonderful to work with,” said Dean. “I am so impressed with their
professionalism and the contacts they have in Italy. No request has been too big or too small. We were very lucky to find them.”
About The Make-A-Wish Foundation®
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. It is the largest wish-granting organization in the world, with dozens of chapters across the United States and its territories and international affiliates on five continents. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 100,000 wishes to children around the world since 1980. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.northwestwishes.org or call 800-304-WISH.
About Italy 4 Real Tours, Llc.
Italy 4 Real, www.italy4real.com, is a subsidiary of Pacific Northwest-based travel
company; Travel 4 Real specializing in small group tours, custom itinerary and event
planning to Europe. Owned and operated by mother and son team, Deborah de Maio
and Rem Malloy, Italy 4 Real brings the history and culture of Italy to life.
Each tour is hand picked -- every hotel, room and restaurant. On its 13-day tour,
travelers are escorted by the owners of the company who make certain the highest
quality and customer service is received. Italy 4 Real is focused on providing travelers with a unique experience at a reasonable price without hidden costs.
Vintage Cars and Lemoncello in Sorrento
This post is from a great friend of www.italy4real.com who is in Italy scouting for the company some great places to stay and great things to do. Thanks Lynn!
Vintage Cars and Lemoncello in Sorrento
Alessandro and Paula take us for a ride in the vintage cars – 1971 Alfa Romeo cars around the streets of Sorrento. It is raining so we could not take the tops down, but the cars were great fun anyway. He has 3 of these cars and several other types for his business of organizing the car rally for www.italy4real.com . Today he takes 2 vintage women for a lovely ride and of course a stop at a local cucina for the 4 course lunch….the hand-rolled pasta with pomedoro sauce is fantastico!
Later in the afternoon we go (by regular car) to the main downtown full of high fashion clothes, stores for beauty products and cosmetics, shoes, produce, pharmacy – all 1 story shops in a busy downtown. We visit 2 or 3 hotels for inspection of facility for future tours to be included in Italy4REAL venue. We stop at a pasticerria for the cappuccino and as we leave the owner follows us into the street to talk our ears off for 20 minutes yak yak yak about himself. He decorates the wedding cakes in his shop and we think he does not get out much beyond that.... Read More
Our last stop is at Villa Oriana Relais – very near the downtown- with a garden full of olive trees and lemon trees. We are served fresh lemonade from those very trees and I begin the exchange of lemoncello recipes with the owner, Maria, who makes the cooking classes in her beautiful kitchen. Her recipe takes only about 10 days, while mine takes about 120 days to soak properly. Of course, you must use the special Sorrento lemons for good lemoncello – it is all about the lemons - and I tell her that I have friends with the lemon tree and get my lemons there ----NOT the store! May be one day we will return and take a cooking class – Raviolis anyone? – and stay at the villa. She has 8 rooms (fitting 2 people each) and a roof-top deck with a spa. Too bad the rain……we could have used a nice hot soak.
This post is from a great friend of www.italy4real.com who is in Italy scouting for the company some great places to stay and great things to do. Thanks Lynn!
Vintage Cars and Lemoncello in Sorrento
Alessandro and Paula take us for a ride in the vintage cars – 1971 Alfa Romeo cars around the streets of Sorrento. It is raining so we could not take the tops down, but the cars were great fun anyway. He has 3 of these cars and several other types for his business of organizing the car rally for www.italy4real.com . Today he takes 2 vintage women for a lovely ride and of course a stop at a local cucina for the 4 course lunch….the hand-rolled pasta with pomedoro sauce is fantastico!
Later in the afternoon we go (by regular car) to the main downtown full of high fashion clothes, stores for beauty products and cosmetics, shoes, produce, pharmacy – all 1 story shops in a busy downtown. We visit 2 or 3 hotels for inspection of facility for future tours to be included in Italy4REAL venue. We stop at a pasticerria for the cappuccino and as we leave the owner follows us into the street to talk our ears off for 20 minutes yak yak yak about himself. He decorates the wedding cakes in his shop and we think he does not get out much beyond that.... Read More
Our last stop is at Villa Oriana Relais – very near the downtown- with a garden full of olive trees and lemon trees. We are served fresh lemonade from those very trees and I begin the exchange of lemoncello recipes with the owner, Maria, who makes the cooking classes in her beautiful kitchen. Her recipe takes only about 10 days, while mine takes about 120 days to soak properly. Of course, you must use the special Sorrento lemons for good lemoncello – it is all about the lemons - and I tell her that I have friends with the lemon tree and get my lemons there ----NOT the store! May be one day we will return and take a cooking class – Raviolis anyone? – and stay at the villa. She has 8 rooms (fitting 2 people each) and a roof-top deck with a spa. Too bad the rain……we could have used a nice hot soak.
This post is from a great friend of www.italy4real.com who is in Italy scouting for the company some great places to stay and great things to do. Thanks Lynn!
A great company!
This is a family run company that has one of the best levels of knowledge of Italy found anywhere. During a simple call they give you more useful information over the phone than any other company out there. They live in Italy, work in Italy they just don't sell Italy - They ARE Italy! choose no other!
in reference to: Trip to Italy:Travel package,Sightseeing,Escorted & Group Tour to Italy (view on Google Sidewiki)The World’s Best Driving Road: The Stelvio Pass
If you are passionate about driving and also like to travel then you must experience firsthand a drive through the world famous Stelvio Pass.
The Stelvio Pass starts just 16 kilometers or 9 miles from the town of Bormio nestled at the foot of the swiss alps. I recommend starting your journey from this quaint ski village. Bormio is just over 249 kilometers or 154 miles from Milan’s Malpensa airport making it easily reachable in about 3 hours.
Bormio is filled with Swiss charm, lovely boutique hotels and cobblestone streets. Bormio is a year round destination. In the winter months it is a skier’s delight with lifts reaching 3000 meters or 9842 dizzying feet above sea level.
In the summer, Bormio is the starting point of one of the world’s best driving roads; the Stelvio Pass.
Open from June to September each year; the Passo Dello Stelvio as the locals call it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps at a staggering 2757 m or 9045 ft.
The original road was built in 1820-25 by the Austrian Empire to connect the former Austrian province of Lombardia with the rest of Austria.
Today, the Stelvio is part of Italy with a segment that will take you to Switzerland, when I drove the pass this summer I stayed on the Italian side.
The passes’ sixty hairpin turns are a thrill for drivers of any skill level and offer amazing crystal-clear alpine views and straightaway’s through thick forests featuring some of the best scenery Europe has to offer.
Roads are perfectly maintained but traffic on the SS 38 during the summer can be heavy on weekends so I recommend enjoying the pass during the weekdays.
There are plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the views and once you reach the top of the pass a cluster of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops await you. Make sure you bring home a keepsake to prove you made it to the top of the Stelvio.
While you are at the peak of the pass enjoy one of the loud and talkative vendors selling grilled sausages with onions and sauerkraut.
Coming down the opposite side of the pass you will drive through some lush and green landscapes as you make your way through the valley.
Allow at least two hours to get completely through the Stelvio pass. The largest town over the pass is Bolzano and on the way you'll pass through quaint little towns and and miles of apple orchards.
The Stelvio Pass is not only considered one of the world’s best driving roads but I also one of the most scenic and diverse.
For more information on The Stelvio Pass or to plan a trip there; visit www.italy4real.com today!
The Stelvio Pass starts just 16 kilometers or 9 miles from the town of Bormio nestled at the foot of the swiss alps. I recommend starting your journey from this quaint ski village. Bormio is just over 249 kilometers or 154 miles from Milan’s Malpensa airport making it easily reachable in about 3 hours.
Bormio is filled with Swiss charm, lovely boutique hotels and cobblestone streets. Bormio is a year round destination. In the winter months it is a skier’s delight with lifts reaching 3000 meters or 9842 dizzying feet above sea level.
In the summer, Bormio is the starting point of one of the world’s best driving roads; the Stelvio Pass.
Open from June to September each year; the Passo Dello Stelvio as the locals call it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps at a staggering 2757 m or 9045 ft.
The original road was built in 1820-25 by the Austrian Empire to connect the former Austrian province of Lombardia with the rest of Austria.
Today, the Stelvio is part of Italy with a segment that will take you to Switzerland, when I drove the pass this summer I stayed on the Italian side.
The passes’ sixty hairpin turns are a thrill for drivers of any skill level and offer amazing crystal-clear alpine views and straightaway’s through thick forests featuring some of the best scenery Europe has to offer.
Roads are perfectly maintained but traffic on the SS 38 during the summer can be heavy on weekends so I recommend enjoying the pass during the weekdays.
There are plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the views and once you reach the top of the pass a cluster of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops await you. Make sure you bring home a keepsake to prove you made it to the top of the Stelvio.
While you are at the peak of the pass enjoy one of the loud and talkative vendors selling grilled sausages with onions and sauerkraut.
Coming down the opposite side of the pass you will drive through some lush and green landscapes as you make your way through the valley.
Allow at least two hours to get completely through the Stelvio pass. The largest town over the pass is Bolzano and on the way you'll pass through quaint little towns and and miles of apple orchards.
The Stelvio Pass is not only considered one of the world’s best driving roads but I also one of the most scenic and diverse.
For more information on The Stelvio Pass or to plan a trip there; visit www.italy4real.com today!
Ancient Rome in 3D Rome Sightseeing Venue
Join http://www.italy4real.com and company owner; Rem Malloy as he takes you on an informative VIP tour a new sightseeing venue in Rome, Italy. Learn the travel tips you need to know before you go.
Ancient Rome in 3D; new sightseeing venue in Rome, Italy
There is a new world class sightseeing venue in Rome and when visiting the eternal city it must be part of your experience. I got a VIP tour of the new virtual journey through imperial Rome during my trip to the eternal city in September.
The facility is modern well lit and clean. Get your advanced tickets online and when you arrive pick up your stereo audio headset available in several different languages. Join your guide as they take you through a modern archeological dig and into a recreation of the famous Tunnel of Commodus.
Decorated with majestic frescoes, stuccos and mosaics the tunnel connected the gladiator warm up area to the coliseum in ancient times and was also used by the emperors to secretly enter the coliseum to enjoy the game of the blood sport.
After the Tunnel of Commodus, enter an interactive area with moving floor, ancient artifacts and a high definition video ceiling that opens up to bring to life the feeling of being lifted to fight the lions as the roaring crowds cheer above.
The shows main attraction is revealed through secret doors where you enter a modern and comfortable 3d theater. Unfortunately at the time of this article it was standing room only, but the management tells me that seating is planned for the future.
Relax and dawn your 3d glasses as you are taken by a virtual Roman citizen through the famous forum on an interactive tour of ancient Rome.
Experience life in Rome in 310 AD, see what the city looked like in its prime and experience a front row seat to a gladiator battle that will send chills up your spine.
The tour continues to the modern and air conditioned lower floor that contains interactive games, mini documentaries, the wheel of time and other ways to learn about the history of ancient Rome.
The gift shop has lots of unique items and has a café for a refreshing drink or coffee. When you finish you can latterly walk across the street to the real coliseum and Roman forum.
Until now Rome had no modern world-class sightseeing venue; but now it does and I recommend it be a part of any itinerary.
To purchase advance tickets to this new sightseeing venue; visit http://www.italy4real.com today!
see this article on our website now http://www.italy4real.com/articles_Rome_in_3D.php
The facility is modern well lit and clean. Get your advanced tickets online and when you arrive pick up your stereo audio headset available in several different languages. Join your guide as they take you through a modern archeological dig and into a recreation of the famous Tunnel of Commodus.
Decorated with majestic frescoes, stuccos and mosaics the tunnel connected the gladiator warm up area to the coliseum in ancient times and was also used by the emperors to secretly enter the coliseum to enjoy the game of the blood sport.
After the Tunnel of Commodus, enter an interactive area with moving floor, ancient artifacts and a high definition video ceiling that opens up to bring to life the feeling of being lifted to fight the lions as the roaring crowds cheer above.
The shows main attraction is revealed through secret doors where you enter a modern and comfortable 3d theater. Unfortunately at the time of this article it was standing room only, but the management tells me that seating is planned for the future.
Relax and dawn your 3d glasses as you are taken by a virtual Roman citizen through the famous forum on an interactive tour of ancient Rome.
Experience life in Rome in 310 AD, see what the city looked like in its prime and experience a front row seat to a gladiator battle that will send chills up your spine.
The tour continues to the modern and air conditioned lower floor that contains interactive games, mini documentaries, the wheel of time and other ways to learn about the history of ancient Rome.
The gift shop has lots of unique items and has a café for a refreshing drink or coffee. When you finish you can latterly walk across the street to the real coliseum and Roman forum.
Until now Rome had no modern world-class sightseeing venue; but now it does and I recommend it be a part of any itinerary.
To purchase advance tickets to this new sightseeing venue; visit http://www.italy4real.com today!
see this article on our website now http://www.italy4real.com/articles_Rome_in_3D.php
Venice Travel Tips + Venice Night 1
Join www.italy4real.com for our video short series: Venice by night + Travel Tips. Part 1 features beautiful images of Venice at sunset and night; plus valuable travel tips for not getting lost in Venice and Gondola ride recommendations. Hosted by company owner; Rem Malloy. Let Italy 4 Real plan your next journey to Italy! Within USA 800-554-5170 Outside +1 425-355-3711 or info@italy4real.com
Italy 4 Real Amalfi Drive Part I
Join www.italy4real.com for a narrated driving tour of the famous Amalfi Drive from Vietri sul Mare to Minori. Learn travel tips, driving recommendations for the area as well as highlights of this amazing Italian Coastline.
One Sign of Economic Downturn in Amsterdam
One sign of economic downturn in Amsterdam, (Netherlands) can be seen in local artists such as Mark Raven; a popular fixture with shops near Dam Square.
His prints sold for two and three hundred dollars and now they are selling for ninety-five.
This is a great opportunity to add or start your European art collection!
For more information on travel to Amsterdam; drop us line at info@travel4real.com. For more information on Mark Ravin visit: http://www.markraven.nl
Travel 4 Real Blog Readership Locations June 2009
I would like to personally thank each and every reader who has taken the time to enjoy the Travel 4 Real Blog. As of June 1, 2009 we have readers in over 36 countries around the globe. I hope that my travel writing inspires, educates and puts a smile on the faces of everyone who joins me in this adventure called life!
United States, Canada, India, Indonesia, Israel , Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Pakistan, Bahrain, Thailand, Bangladesh, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Brazil, Portugal, Grenada, Guatemala, Morocco, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Slovenia , Netherlands, Austria, Latvia, Switzerland, Greece, Iraq, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden, Luxembourg and Pakistan.
Top 5 Free Sightseeing Spots in Venice
Today more than ever; saving money on a trip to Europe may mean the difference between going or not. Venice has been historically one of the more expensive cites to visit in Italy; but the pros at www.italy4real.com have just gotten back and have found a way to see some great city sites for free.
During our visit in May of 2009 we were able to find more than 10 great sites all over the city that cost zero, nada, nothing; so don't cancel that trip!
- Museum of Natural History. This grand venue contains some great options for adults and families alike, such as the Dinosaur Room and the Aquarium of the Tegnue. Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-1pm, Sunday's 10am-4pm, closed Monday's. Closed December 25th, January 1st, May 1st. Address: Ve Santa Croce 1730. The museum is located on the Giudecca island just across from St Marks and the main part of Venice; you can take the number 2 waterbus and get off at the Redentore or Zitelle stops. Tel: 041 275 0206. www.msn.ve.it
- Church of S. Giorgio Maggiore. This amazing church has a very beautiful interior and an exact miniature copy of the bell tower in St Marks. Opening times: May-September Mon-Sat 9:30am-12:30pm,2:30pm-6pm, Sun 8:30am-11am,2:30pm-6pm. October-April Mon-Sat 9:30am-12:30pm,2:30pm-4:30pm, Sun 9:30am-11am,2:30pm-4:30pm. Address: Isola di S.Giorgio Maggiore. The church is located on a small island across from St. Marks Square, it's the one with the little copy of the St. Marks bell tower. Take the number 2 water bus, there is only one stop on the island. Tel: 041 522 7827.
- Cemetery Island. This is not just a creepy old cemetery but an entire island filled with amazing crypts, art, sculpture and the graves of the famous such as Stravinsky, Diaghilev, Pound & Brodskji to name a few. Each grave site has a photo of the person so it's also a photographic history of the population of Venice; very interesting. Rem Malloy, President of Travel 4 Real wrote an article called The Hallowed Ground of Venice which you can search for on our blog at www.travel4realrem.blogspot.com Opening times: April-September 7:30am-6pm. October-March 7:30am-4pm. Address: Isola di San Michele. Take the number 52 water bus from St. Marks Square, it's a also a stop on the way to Murano. Tel: 041 729 2811.
- Burano Permanent Gallery of Art. Enjoy local and international artists in this local gallery on Burano island. Opening times: Visit by reservation only; have your hotel call ahead. 9am-12:30pm Mon-Sat. Tuesday 9am-4:45pm. Closed Sunday and holidays. Address: Via S Mauro 107. Take the number 52 water bus from St. Marks Square. Tel: 041 730 106.
- Music Museum: Musical Instruments; The Baroque in Venice. This is a world class exhibit of some of the best ancient and modern musical instruments, a Venice must see! Opening times: Daily 9:30am-7pm. Address: In the church of Chiesa di San Maurizio; Campo San Maurizio. Easy walking distance from St. Marks Square. Tel: 041 241 1840.
Unlike many rumors about how expensive Venice can be; the experts at www.italy4real.com know that you can explore the city of bridges without spending a dime on great, world class sightseeing. For more information on great things to do in Venice or to get expert assistance in planning your next trip to Italy or Europe; give us a call or email and let our experts help you plan a trip for any budget or travel style. 800-554-5170, +1-425-355-3711 or info@italy4real.com .
Security Tips for Travelers – Bike Cable
As a travel professional every now and then I hear a horror story, one that makes your hair on the back of your neck stand on end and it's always about getting ripped off. Somebody's wallet, somebody's purse, somebody's camera, somebody's luggage; usually the stories don't involve any violence or drama but more simple sneaky ways that today's thieves are finding to steal your stuff; ways that can easily be prevented with some countermeasures.
When I began traveling many years ago I carried with me $1000 Nikon camera, a $3000 laptop, $1000 camera lens, $2000 video camera, microphones cables, batteries and the lot; all part of my toolkit to operate and develop a successful tour operation. I was completely paranoid about getting ripped off, so being the industrious type I came up with a solution; one that anyone can try.
The biggest way that people get items stolen is what I like to call a "snatch and grab" this is where a thief will break a window on a rental car and steal whatever luggage he can find, break into a hotel room or while you're taking a nap on the train snatch luggage from the luggage bin. I came up with this idea when one time my mother and I were scouting out sightseeing places in Rome and happen to go out to the catacombs. A car pulled in front of us to park; it was a family who obviously had driven down from a northern European country and they had all of their travel belongings in their Volvo. When we came back to the car before the family had gotten back themselves we saw one window broken out and every single belonging of the family had been stolen. This was the single event that got me to think about ways to protect your items when you travel that easy, inexpensive and actually works.
I came up with this idea after that incident; here's what you do. Go down to your local hardware store and go into the chain and cable department, usually they have chains of various sizes and cables of various sizes on reels and you can cut whatever length you need. Get the thinnest bike cable that you can find; this is usually three fourths of an inch. Have the person in the department chop off 10 feet for you; also have them crimp the ends of the cable so that you have two secure loops at each end.
This single item has protected me and my valuables for many years; it's easy to carry, it rolls up nice and tight, doesn't weigh a thing and actually works. Here is how you use it; if you're in a car, loop one end of the cable around the sliding seat post of the front or passenger side seat and then the other end loops through all the handles of the luggage in the trunk or hatchback. If you don't know, most cars in Europe don't have trunks, they have hatchbacks which you can see everything in the back. After you loop the one end through the handles of your bag, secure it on top to itself with a padlock. I like a combination lock and not a key lock just because there's nothing to lose (like a key); make sure the lock and the cable are well visible.
What you've done, is created a deterrent. Just one extra layer that all the other cars in the same parking lot don't have; if the thief actually wants your particular luggage he can easily break the window cut through the handles of your luggage and take it, but he doesn't want just your luggage, he wants anybody's luggage that's easy to take and if you look at all the cars around that have luggage in them, none of them will have a cable lock. You've just created a deterrent that has worked for me for many years.
On a train, it's the same concept. You're not allowed to take your luggage to your seat but you have to store it at the end of each car or every other car in luggage bins; anyone getting on or off the train can easily take any bag from bin. Tie one end of the cable around the bars of the luggage bin and tie the other through the handle of your luggage. Chances are most thieves don't keep cable cutters with them so they would steal someone else's bag that doesn't have this device; so go back to your seat, relax and take a nap.
Same concept in a hotel, just wrap the cable through the handles of your luggage and around something fixed in the room like a sink pipe or bed frame. There you go, these simple deterrents are only that; a deterrent, making another level the thief must go through to get your stuff. I hope this helps and I hope it keeps you and your valuables happy for many journeys to come.
Rem Malloy is owner and President of http://www.italy4real.com and http://www.travel4real.com a tour operator and custom trip planning company with offices in USA and Europe. Visit the site for information and ideas for planning your own trip to Europe.
Herculaneum – The New Pompeii
For those of you who know history and even if the subject is not your forte, you probably have herd of both Pompeii and Herculaneum. Since that fateful day in 79 A.D. the two cities have been in an eternal battle for the hearts minds and dollars of visitors from around the globe; Herculaneum just dealt the death blow to Pompeii; and the world waits for the bell to ring ending the fight.
The two cities are located in the same area around Naples and are only a few miles apart but they have drastic differences that make each unique; but recently the region of Campania has made changes to Herculaneum that puts it on the top of the ruins to see in Italy.
Let's talk a little history why don't we. First let's talk about the name; Herculaneum is the ancient name and is no longer used except in books and movies. In fact when you are driving on the A3 highway or taking the chercumvisivania (train that runs from Naples to Sorrento with stops along the way) from the Amalfi coast the signs do not say Herculaneum. If you don't know this little tidbit of information you will be forever lost trying to find the site. Today the name used in modern Italian is Ercolano. On August 24, 79 AD the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the town in superheated pyroclastic material.
Pompeii being just that much closer to Mt. Vesuvius resulted in a huge amount of damage compared to its sister city just a few miles further away. Throughout history and the expert promotion efforts of the Italian Government and various guide books, TV shows and made for TV movies; Pompeii has risen to the winner's podium in the eyes of the world.
Herculaneum has always been much better preserved than Pompeii and much smaller but was located tightly in a small neighborhood and was fraught with difficult access, parking and support by the local community. Pompeii on the other hand established itself as the easiest to visit with dozens of parking lots, café's, restaurants, audio guides and an infrastructure that could handle thousands of visitors each day.
When I went to Pompeii for the first time, it was a hot summer and the first thing that blew my mind was the size of the site. Pompeii is huge, I mean city huge. There is no quick visit of Pompeii; in fact it will eat up a travel day in a New York second. The site surprises people from around the globe with a maze of ruins that would take most people a week to see correctly. The majority of the structures that remain are double and single walled compounds without roofs but the structures that are more complete are quite amazing such as the bath house and gladiator arena. Pompeii is so large that you see parts of the city one at a time not just individual buildings. If you have the time, Pompeii is a must but Herculaneum is coming up fast and may pass its competition due to the impressive and grand improvements around the archeological site.
Less than 20 months ago the town of Eurculaneo decided that the site deserved better; actually they wanted more money from tourist's visits so they made some impressive changes.
Prior to the improvements the access to the site was primitive at best. Tour buses, cars and people had to walk long and hard to enter and ticketing access, information and restrooms were few and far between. The changes made to the flow of people and information is dramatic and places Herculaneum at the top of easy access sites.
The improvements to the area include a new underground parking garage, new bus parking, new wide access entrance area and garden, huge ticketing, information and rest area with ample access to restrooms. Herculaneum is well below ground level by about 200 feet so a very wide and smooth walkway has been built that follows the upper rim of the site and offers a very mild slope to a new bridge that puts you directly at the highest point of the ruins. Prior to the new ramping system, visitors had a grueling 200 step climb through a tunnel that was formed through the rock that surrounds the site; that tunnel is still open for those who explore to the lowest point of the site and want to depart from there instead of trekking back up to the new bridge.
For visitors with limited mobility or those that don't care to walk far; Ercolano is the only choice. Pompeii is very spread out and requires hours of walking, Herculaneum is much smaller and one can walk from one end to the other in less than 5 minutes. While Pompeii offers a vast arena of archeological wonders spread over ½ mile radius; it can take a time and imagination to put your mind's eye back in time to the golden days of life in the town while Ercolano offers almost a complete town to explore. Instead of seeing many single and double walled ruins you can take your time to go inside houses, meeting rooms, shops, bakeries, town halls and baths and see complete spaces from ancient wall paintings to wood doors as they stood in 79 A.D.
The shear amount of details within the ruins is stunning and will keep even the most restless of the family members happy and eager to explore the ancient past of this great city. END
Rem Malloy is owner and President of http://www.italy4real.com a tour operator and custom trip planning company with offices in USA and Italy. Visit the site for information and ideas for planning your own trip to Herculaneum.
Paestum – Neptune would be proud
On a recent inspection trip to Southern Italy, I decided to head out to the ancient ruin of Paestum. During many Italy vacations; tourists from around the world flock to this site to see and experience some of the most well preserved temples in all of Europe. Located about 45 minutes south of Naples just off the A3 highway, Paestum is a treat for those who appreciate archeology in its purest form. Paestum was a Greek colony of the Sibans before a ware with the Romans in 273 B.C. turned it into a Latin colony. There are three main temples. Temple of Neptune (600 .B.C.) Temple of Ceres (580 B.C.) and the Temple of Athena (470 B.C.)
The actual site is very large and spread out, spanning what seems to be about a square mile but the actual area which you can explore by foot is much smaller. For people with limited mobility or prefer to walk short distances this would be considered a light to moderate experience with 100% of the site on flat and even ground with switchback packed dirt trails connecting the three main areas.
On first glance what stands out are three massive temples each seems almost complete from a distance. The main temple dedicated to Neptune is colored in deep copper earth tones and the other two are almost whitewash in color; these are the only whole structures in the entire site, but the completeness of each one is quite impressive. Even up close when you realize that the interiors are no longer functional and the majority of the temples are now comprised only of the basic pieces such as the massive columns, the capital, the very top portion of a column, the arcatrave and pediment you still get a great sense of what they may have been like when they were just built.
Unlike Pompeii or even Herculaneum (in modern Italian Ercolano) you cannot enter any of the temples because they are surrounded by small wooden fences. You can get within 25 feet or so from each one, so close up photography or sketching is still possible.
The experience of trying to imagine people worshiping Neptune and Athena in Paestum is quite easy with the temples but the rest of the site takes a bit of imagination. There are very large living quarters, spread out over about half an acre which are no longer visible except for the remaining stone walls which reach knee height. One section in the middle of the site has a few larger walls and a single staircase but other than that there is little to assist in piecing together the entire colony in your mind's eye.
As you explore the site you must take the time to go on the edges of the fenced area; there you can find the amphitheatre which seems about 20% complete. You can also see several randomly placed columns that may have been entrances to some older buildings.
If you want to see the real artifacts from Paestum you will need to visit the museum which is just across the street from the site. Inside you can see the detailed decorations that covered the façade of the temples as well as some excellent examples of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts.
If you arrive on your own by car, I suggest taking the A3 highway from Salerno and exiting at the city called "Battipaglia" which is also highway 18, but the highway number is very hard to spot. Other than the exit off the highway it's almost a straight line from Salerno or Naples to the Paestum. If you use GPS make sure it does not put you on 175a; which is a coastal road that goes along the ocean.. "What a nice drive" you might say but 175a is full of trash, transients and old and dying restaurants and shops which are strung along the entire route. 175a felt a little "Mad Max, Thunder Dome" if you ask me so avoid that road at all costs.
If you decide to take an escorted tour then the coach will bring you directly to the entrance. The ticket booth is very non-descript and also hard to spot, but look for the stone archway opposite the line of shops across from the site. Tickets are only 4 euro (2009) and you can buy a combo ticket for the site and the museum for under 10. There is no town at the site and it's quite out in the boonies but there are a few café's and two pizzerias to quench your thirst and hunger after appeasing the gods. There is also a smattering of your typical shop keepers offering everything from useful information books to Paestum ash trays and cup holders.
While the hard core history buff or archeology student will be in heaven and I think the site is quite impressive; I say that Paestum is a 3rd level site of the area. Unfortunately for Paestum you have sites like Pompeii and Herculaneum not to mention the entire Amalfi Coast, the islands of Capri and Ischia all within easy reach of each other and all closer to get to. If you have been in the area for a while and have seen the above mentioned; then by all means go and make sure to tell Neptune, Ceres and Athena that Rem Malloy from www.italy4real.com sent you; you might live an extra 1000 years as a gift from the gods.
Travel Tips Jan 26-Feb 21
1. Make sure you take, rent or arrange for a cell phone during your trip, never leave home without a cell phone!
2. If you are going to travel for more than 3 months, notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your plans www.italy4real.com
3. Ask the housekeeper for the best local restaurant they wont have kickbacks to "partner" places and will give honest answers.
4. The first stop in a new town should be the local tourist information office for local events, music and festivals
5. Rent a car when ever you can. You can see so much more by car than you can by train. www.travel4real.com
6. When going from city to city, choose a weekday as your travel day if possible to avoid weekend travel traffic
7. Learn to say "how do you say" "where" and "thank you" in the language of the place you will be going
8. Double check the safe in the room, under the bed and around the night stands before you check out
9. Search Facebook for "Italy 4 Real" and become a fan today! www.italy4real.com
10. Make sure you tell your family where you will be every few days so they wont worry about you
2. If you are going to travel for more than 3 months, notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your plans www.italy4real.com
3. Ask the housekeeper for the best local restaurant they wont have kickbacks to "partner" places and will give honest answers.
4. The first stop in a new town should be the local tourist information office for local events, music and festivals
5. Rent a car when ever you can. You can see so much more by car than you can by train. www.travel4real.com
6. When going from city to city, choose a weekday as your travel day if possible to avoid weekend travel traffic
7. Learn to say "how do you say" "where" and "thank you" in the language of the place you will be going
8. Double check the safe in the room, under the bed and around the night stands before you check out
9. Search Facebook for "Italy 4 Real" and become a fan today! www.italy4real.com
10. Make sure you tell your family where you will be every few days so they wont worry about you
Top 5 Travel Tips Jan 26-30
- Call your credit card co. before you depart so they dont turn off your card when they see a new charge across the world 7:00 AM Jan 30th from web
- Carry only enough $$ in your pocket for little items and use your credit card for most purchases to get the best rate 8:13 AM Jan 28th from web
- Want to fit in when traveling Europe? dress black, it will get you through most any occasion. www.travel4real.com
8:09 AM Jan 27th from web - If you are using miles make sure to get the tickets at least 4 months in advance 11:08 PM Jan 26th from web
- If you are planning a trip to Europe for 2009, you better get started. We are seeing a big increase in requests. 9:48 AM Jan 26th from web
Top 10 Most Popular Travel Tips Dec18-Jan20
- When traveling to Europe make sure you dress correctly when visiting churches; typically no shorts, no shoulders showing 11:52 AM Jan 18th from web
- Want to save money on a trip to Europe? form a group! Small groups of friends pay less, have more fun and save $$ 9:47 AM Jan 16th from web
- Get professional "real" person help for a first time trip. The knowledge level will pay off on planning and $$ 1:44 PM Jan 15th from web
- If going on a tour, make sure you tell the tour leader on day one of any food allergies. www.italy4real.com
8:37 AM Jan 13th from web - check the exchange rate for the currency of the country you are traveling every time you check e mail to track budget 9:48 AM Jan 7th from web
- Carry a simple door stopper with you when you travel and put it on the inside of your hotel door for extra security 9:55 AM Jan 5th from web
- Learn how to say "Hello" and "Thank You" in the language of your destination. Being polite will take you a long way 2:29 PM Jan 2nd from web
- The first stop in each city should be the local tourist information office; they will have all the latest events. 9:03 AM Dec 25th, 2008 from web
- When planning make sure to check local holidays at your destination. Europe has many holidays that may affect travel plans. 8:59 AM Dec 24th, 2008 from web
- Take a piece of black tape and put it over the brand name of your digital camera. Thieves look for name brands targets 9:49 AM Dec 18th, 2008 from web
Want to get these travel tips directly to your mobile phone or webpage? Try Twitter today! http://twitter.com/travel4real
Collaboration is Key
I have always been a communicator; someone who expresses their thoughts, insights and feelings toward a common good. Don't get me wrong, I blow my top, get frustrated and may from time to time be unreasonable; but on the whole I try to contribute to the greater good. When I formed Travel 4 Real many years ago with my mother we had the notion that we as a company could collaborate with others in the industry to create a better experience for the customer. Nearly ten years later I am still greatly disappointed in the people who work the front lines in the world of travel.
I am just back from a travel industry networking event. I keep going to these events hoping to collaborate, communicate and contribute to the industry my companies knowledge and expertise. More than not what I find is tired, closed-minded people whose only objective is to get their next commission check from a supplier or "protect" their little corner of the world from anyone who is not a customer.
Great companies such as Microsoft, Mercedes and dozens of others became better by working with; not against the competition. How can we expect to improve ourselves if we don't help others improve? Is this the "dead sea scrolls" or the "Lucy" of forward company thinking? Is my idea of working with people whom I compete against a completely absurd notion? So what if you also offer trips to Italy, France or Greece; maybe, just maybe there is something I offer you don't, that your customers may enjoy.. its about the customer right? I have approached my competition and said "how can we work together" How can I support other travel companies who offer unique and interesting products without being seen as a threat?
Companies seem to not see the quality of other companies but the threat they may or may not pose to them. Don't CEO's want to offer quality products, fill holes in their offerings with high end items and want to support the industry, support others like them? Of course you do this with caution and sensibility; there are people and companies who wish to only do harm to their competition. I think travel is such a vast industry with such a large playing field that there is plenty of room for healthy collaboration.
It continues to amaze me that in an industry that has been hit by 9/11, dot.com meltdown, real estate crash and economic downturn would not come together, work together, collaborate together for the better good of each person involved. If the people in control don't begin to work together and stop building walls between themselves; I fear that we will segment ourselves into oblivion.
When you are at your next networking event, no matter what industry you are in .. stop.. just for a second and ask yourself this about someone who may be in the same line of business: "how could we work together" think outside the box and with a little thought I am sure you could come up with one or two great ideas. This type if thinking is the catalyst of the next great economic revolution.
I put the call out, out to all companies in travel, big, small, offer the same products that I do.. I don't care. I want high quality products for my customers; trips and services that they will enjoy. If you are a direct competitor I am sure there is some way to work together, support each other and grow the industry toward one that I can feel proud to be a part of.
Sincerely,
Rem Malloy
Owner, President
Travel 4 Real
rem@travel4real.com
Italy - You’re gonna “lake” this place
Strolling over the stone patchwork walks of Corco Italia you can gaze to your right and see the majesty of the massive lake. Towering Swiss Alps seem to encircle you in their beauty and silhouetted shapes. The islands of Isola Bella, Pescatori and Madre seem like green oases in the flat waters of Maggiore. On the left you can stroll by some of the grandest European hotels each adorned with flowered balconies, ornate metal work and the pampered lawns.
Lake Magiore has refused the big industry that nearby Como has accepted with open arms. Como with its city like pace, fancy shops and crowded streets seems a world away from the calm comforting and gentle vibe of towns like Stresa and Baveno. Maggiore feels as it were frozen in time, stopped somehow in its most glorious moment.
Baveno with its short lakeside walkways, hip local cafes and family run pizzerias. On the shore are grand hotels boasting marble adorned bathrooms, dual balconies and gold trimmed doors; it's not gaudy, it's elegant in the most European way.
Become friends with Antonio and Franco two brothers who own La Trappola a local ristorante where they welcome each guest with a smile and a "how are you" in the thickest Italian accent. The freshest pasta, pizza and local dishes are prepared not with tourism efficiency but with gentle care of which your grandmother would approve. They come to visit each table to take a moment in time to meet you and truly wonder who and where you are from. You get a true sense of family and welcome not found in other busy areas of Italy.
During warm summer nights outdoor markets take root in the town square. They don't offer the usual knick knacks but well thought out choices of fine and unique items. Over there, a man from Africa sells hand carved figurines, imported incense and handmade wooden combs and brushes. Stroll by a table top full of antique cameras, fine pens, pencils and colorful handmade candles.. each vendor displaying their pride with every glance of their goods. The smell of sandalwood tickles your nose.
The places to rest your head in Baveno offer a wide range. Campgrounds under the stars, just steps away from the lakes edge; small very well done three star hotels with lake view balcony's or amazing grand old baroque style hotels offering everything from spas, Olympic indoor pools to marble tunnels under the ground filled with the finest art in the world.
If you are considering a visit to the lake region of Italy; break away from what you may have herd and venture over to Lake Maggiore for a pleasant surprise.
The hallowed ground of Venice
As a professional guide my job is to show people a good time and introduce them to places they have only seen in their dreams or on the occasional TV show. Because I travel to these places on a regular basis they become almost invisible to me such as the Space Needle does to Seattleites. To stimulate my quest for the new, I venture beyond the tourist menus and clouded spaces seeing to find my next great discovery.
Venice is a wonderland of history and amazing winding canals that take you back in time. It takes different eyes to truly see Venice, eyes that see through the throngs of people, past the vendors selling masks made in China and people, so many people.
One hot day in July I had the day away from my group, they were off exploring the museums and shopping for the perfect piece of Murano glass. For me this was my time to explore. I thought I would venture out of mainland Venice on the number 42 heading toward Murano. The sun was hot beating down on my skin, making it feel warm to the touch as if I were in front of a winter fire.
Boats zipped, sloshed, and trudged their ay past our slow floating people mover known only as Vaperatto number 42.
I had been to Murano many times to stroll through its small winding streets whose storefronts glisten with fresh blown glass. I was hoping that Murano would show me something new this time, but I was not sure.
The old 42 stopped many times along the way. The ropes would be thrown and a painful creek would be herd as they stopped the boat for passengers to venture off and on. Stop name, stop name the boats gatekeeper would yell in the most routine of voices.
My destination was Murano but when the waves lapped, ropes moaned at the stop cemintario; I was pulled to disembark. I had never been to this strange walled island so I thought I would take a break from the known and examine the unknown for a while.
What is this place? I thought as I ventured from the dock bobbing in the surf. With my feet on solid ground I went forward toward the large wooden gate open and inviting in front of me.
A graveyard, oh wow a graveyard. This island that is just another stop for the many tourists heading to Murano was where Venice buried its people.
Well not the next happy day trip destination to show my group but I will check it out anyway.
The entrance was non descript, just a few rose bushes and buildings; its so hot, maybe I will just go back to the hotel and take a nap; no I will continue.
As I ventured past the arches gravel pathways I was suddenly surrounded by thousands of plots. This place is big, really big; I just start walking.
The first thing that hits me like the pungent flavor of fresh basil of my first place of caprasi each year is the silence. Where are the sounds of the tourists; the muffled roar of life is absent. The silence embraces me, relaxes me, slows me down; its wonderful.
I start to explore this hollowed ground surrounded by water just off the edge of Italy's most visited city. Unlike in the United States where we mark our dead with a marble headboard, I see hundreds of stone, marble and granite boxes about five feet by 3 feet, each with a matching billboard that displays the typical graveyard scribble.
But wait, something catches my eye, something that is different, yet all around me. Photographs, not one or two but thousands of photographs. Photos of the dead in their time of life. The face of Venice's past lives greeting me with smiles, happy eyes and proud stances; I am amazed.
It becomes obvious that Italy has a tradition of placing a photo of the deceased on the plot so the living may see them as they were. the experience is not morbid but joyous as I wind my way back and forth passing the markers. Mario, enzio, Maria, Gloria, Luigi all greet me with their best poses. Big smiles, bright eyes and serious gazes. This place is full of life, the life that each one of these people lived and their personalities shine through in the candid photos surrounding me. Enzo with his boat, marias proud smile, one you can imaging she had while serving her prized pasta sauce to her family on Sundays.
Every so often I pass the living with a pleasant smile or polite "hello" the wind passes through the Cyprus trees; I can't hear anything but the wind and the gravel crunching under my feet. I am drawn to see the next photograph; will they be laughing, look mean or content, the suspense of who these people were is electric. I try to imaging who they were, what they did, who whey loved and it becomes apparent with each photo that passes by. Gentle Italian faces, many black and white but some in color which bring to life the persons image even more.
As I continue on, deeper into this vast island of the dead I find myself among huge mausoleums. These structures contain the most privileged of families, each boasting gold leaf writings, glass ceilings and modern entrances you would now find in any fine home. These structures are grouped together in this vast metropolis. I have wondered into the uptown, the park place of the dead where its tenants surly adorned themselves with Gucci, Prada and Araimani's latest offerings. Despite their past lavish lives, they now share the same destiny as even the simplest of plots bearing only a faded photo and weathered stone.
Were they Venice's founders, businessmen, wives, husbands, thieves or lovers; yes they were all that and they gave me the opportunity to meet them in the most relaxing and inviting way.
NEED A CELLPHONE IN THE EU? - THEN GET ONE
On a recent trip to
While wading through the
My cousin Luigi was somewhere in the ocean of people and we were calling each other on our cell phones. I had brought my
“Luigi, Ciao! I am near the big statue in the middle, do you see me?” “Si, I arrive to you in a moment” he yelled in broken English. Just as I returned the phone to my hip pocket in relief that I had connected with my family, I felt one of many nudges and bumps from the constantly moving crowd. As an experienced traveler, after a nudge I automatically feel for my wallet just incase one of the professional pickpockets had chosen me as a target. Wallet, check, hotel key, check, gum check.. phone.. phone no check.. DAM.
My years of travel, my experience in dozens of countries had left me without the helpless feeling of being robbed until now. I did not even feel an inclieling of the stealth operation. The lifting of the pocket flap, the reach and grab of my unusually large pocket PC phone; amazing skill. I salute the thief and hope he enjoys the feeling of frustration as he realizes his latest prize is locked with a password.
With almost 3 weeks of travel left in Europe, meetings with clients and numerous calls to make and receive I went into panic mode trying to figure out how to replace my mobile communication device which I had grown to depend upon like a baby to their mother.
Should I have my office buy another and FedEx it overnight across the world. I knew you could rent phones in
First line of attack is asking a local.. “Luigi!” yes, maybe Luigi can use his pull and escort me to the special store and use his Italian ID to get another number that I could use. I would have to pose as a Luigi for the next several weeks and risk being arrested for impersonation of a family member, but it was worth it.. lets go!
“No Problemo” Luigi kept saying. He told me to go on my own and ask for an Italian phone number at the local cellular store. Could it be that easy? I remember years ago when the frustration of $1 per minute with my US phone was just too much to bear, I tried to do the same, but it ended quickly with the fact I did not have Italian or EU citizenship, so I swallowed the enormous cell bills I received on my return. Ok, I will try, maybe things have changed.
After several attempts to go the cellular store failed because of the “siesta” where everything closes between 12-4pm or on Monday morning when everything is closed until the afternoon, I finely arrived to an unlocked door on a sunny Tuesday morning in
Where do I start, they are going to think I am nuts, an American wanting an Italian cell number.. I’m wasting my time, I thought to myself as I took a number and stood in line. 34 was the number that may save me time and my sanity, but the counter read 16.. so I waited, wondering if I should be on the phone to my office explaining the huge amount of hassle I was going to put them though. But no, I will wait and see. 29, ding, 30 ding.. no one answers the calls; probably other Americans turned away in shame for even trying. Ding 34! That’s me! I go up to my smiling counter person and ask him in Italian if I can get a new phone here.. “Si, no problemo” We atomically switch to English as almost every conversation does. I want to polish my Italian, and they want to polish their English, so enviably we choose the later. Come on over, have a seat. “Do you have your passport” I hand it over from my money belt. A few types of his keyboard and he prints out a sheet of paper and circles my new number.. WOW! That’s it, where was the shame, pointing, endless paperwork.. ok well it has to cost a ton, I squint and ask “quante costa” and wait for the smack in the face. “10 Euro” What? Is that per minute? “No” wow, I just walked into a cell store and got a new mobile number in
So ask yourself the question, should I take my own phone? Rent one there? NO, just go and buy one when you arrive. You will have it for all of your future trips to
Ice Bars – The coolest place to visit in town
No matter if you are in Rome, Amsterdam, Paris, London or Dubai there is an alternative to the usual cocktail in the hotel bar or nearby pub. As the world shrinks and more and more people travel to the major hotspots of the world there are new, hip places to cool off with your favorite beverage. Ice bars hit the scene several years ago and have become a cult classic among travelers looking to chill. These establishments are actually made of ice; the walls, furniture, bar and even the cocktail glasses are made of crystal clear ice. Kept at a nose-numbing 5C/23F these bars offer a great venue to get away from the heat of a summer day and a hip addition to your photo scrap book.
The atmosphere in each one is quite lovely because the ice used is transparent and backlit in hues of purple, red, orange and blue LED's. Rotating sequences of changing color give the feeling of being in the fantasy ice wonderland of Narnia; "hey is that the White Witch sipping that cosmopolitan over there?" To avoid frostbite and keep you in the freezer long enough to buy a drink, the bars provide you with protection from the elements. London hands out a "designer thermal cape" while Amsterdam issues full length silver parkas that would make any glam celebrity feel right at home; the majority of the bars offer gloves and hats as well. Now that you are protected from the chill it's time to get down to business; cover charges in London will set you back 12 pounds (15 on weekends) and an average of 15 Euros at the other spots . The cover charge includes one drink; with or without alcohol and your gear. London throws in your own "personal ice glass" but also limits your stay to 40 minutes.
Some have scored big name sponsors like Absolut's Ice Bar London and The Ice Kube by Greygoose in Paris. Sponsorship means a larger venue with more elaborate ice sculptures such as a full igloo, throne and "dude at the bar" made of ice in Paris and London's elaborate ice walls with nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy your cocktail. Amsterdam and Rome are small venues but just as cool; no pun intended. Despite the parka, hat and gloves the average stay is about 30 minutes which is a smart idea for quick turnaround. The Dubai Ice bar hires "cold climate acclimated" staff from Romania and Russia because they don't mind working long hours in freezing conditions. London, Rome and Paris employ locals to work the snow jobs, so tip them well.
The choice of beverages is elaborate. A wide selection of vodka, top shelf liquors, beer, wine, hot tea and coffee drinks; all warm you from the inside out. After the first round, which is included, prices are very reasonable. Amsterdam's drink menu offers soda and beer for 2.50 euro, top shelf brands starting at 3 euro and wine for under 4 euro; a great value compared to other trendy clubs, hotel bars or even room service.
Ice bars may be the coolest way to unwind on vacation since the invention of the ski lodge. To book your next vacation to London, Amsterdam Paris or any ice bar in Europe, contact Travel 4 Real at info@travel4real.com or visit our web portal at www.travel4real.com
The Hopper Flight Scenario - Saving $$ on airfare
For those of you who have attended my lectures, classes or public events in the last few years you may recognize a term I coined; The Hopper Flight Scenario. I believe this method of researching your airfare may be the most important part of planning a trip and will yield the highest savings of any one thing you can do. I don't believe I invented the process because professional travelers like myself have been using these methods for years; but as far as I know, no one has packaged it into a process which anyone can follow.
Lets start where 99% of people begin; airfare. Just after your voice box utters the phrase "lets go to… " " then the wheels begin to spin on where to get the best price for a ticket to get to " " Most of us go immediately to the internet to websites like Orbitz, Expedia or a favorite airline site such as Delta, American or British Air. We begin the random placement of dates, departure times, cities and such, and continue to spin the roulette wheel of entries until a price, departure time and date seems to be what we are looking for. Many people "site hop" to cross compare trying to beat the last site they visited lowest price. Others go to their trusty travel agent who will do exactly the same process with slightly different search tools and may or may not come back with a lower price. All in all the airfare search process is a game that most of us hate to play. The majority of these searches produce a combination of airlines, connection cities and layover times to get the price low. Many travelers just use their favorite airline to get frequent flyer miles but may pay more for the few miles they gain and can never, ever redeem when they want, due to blackout dates or random policy changes.
The Hopper Flight Scenario applies to Europe, but can be applied to regional airlines in the US as well. For this example, let's say you want to go to Rome from Seattle. The first step in the process feels a little out of whack but will make sense later. Go to your favorite source for air, no matter if it's the airline website, mega travel site or local travel agent and ask for the price for round trip from your city, in this case Seattle to one of four destinations in Europe; London, Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris. From those locations pick exactly what you want in departure times, travel time, layovers and connection city; get it the way you want it. Pay attention and keep the overall cost as low as possible but keep the details of the trip as close to ideal for you as possible.
The second part of the puzzle involves the use of one of the most successful concepts known to travel today; the low cost carrier. For some reason Europe knows how to do it right offering flights between major cities for mere pennies. Europeans have been savvy travelers using these options for years to hop between places like London to Amsterdam or Paris to Rome. These flights sell all day long for usually under Euro 100. How do they do that you say? Well the pricing structure is quite complicated and prices can range between one cent; yes one cent to several hundred dollars depending on the time of day, season (high or low) or if you are trying to fly on a holiday. The carriers also use the no frills model with no first or business class, no seating assignments, no complementary drinks or snacks and strict luggage weight requirements. All the restrictions and lack of creature comforts means deep savings when traveling within Europe. Many times it is less expensive to take a flight than it is to take the train. One of the major players is Ryan air which is the most profitable airline in the world. The Dublin, Ireland based airline operates new aircraft to hundreds of destinations within Europe for fares as low as one penny each way during one of their online sales. One thing you can't do is get any of these tickets from your local travel agent. Fares are only sold online and fares change not every day but every hour so you must be on your best trip planning game when attempting to find the lowest price.
Putting the pieces of the hopper flight scenario together to save you money takes a little homework but will pay off big. To give you an idea what it looks like when it's done correctly here is an example of the Hopper Flight Scenario at its best.
Major Carrier vs. Major Carrier + Hopper – Seattle Washington to Rome Italy
Seattle to Rome on one carrier, round trip– June 2009; result: Northwest Airlines price USD $1724 per person – source orbitz.com
Seattle to London on one carrier, round trip – June 2009; result: Northwest $985 RT pp + Hopper Flight, London to Rome RT € 116.00 = about USD $150.00. – source easyjet.com -Total Price USD $1135 per person
SAVINGS of $589 PER PERSON!
So as you can see The Hopper Flight Scenario pays off big time if you are willing to put in the time and energy to put all the little bits in place. Needless to say its not all good news; there is a downside to taking hopper flights that is worth telling you about.
The majority of low cost carriers do not fly into the major airports but secondary, smaller airports like Ciampino (CIA) instead of the major Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) (FCO). This means a longer trek to get to or from when flying in or out.
Low cost European carriers have very low baggage weight allowances. Luggage allowances are 10kg (22 Lbs) for hand luggage and 20kg (44 Lbs) for items checked on most carriers. To Americans; 44 pounds is just the shoes we are bringing and with some airlines charging up to 10 euro per kilo over the allowance; your budget ticket can soon turn expensive.
Lastly the low cost carriers offer a limited number of flights per day so making them work with your arrival or departure times, connection times and layovers takes some skill. On average there are two flights per day; morning and evening.
As you can see the hassle factor is quite high when using The Hopper Flight Scenario but the payoff can mean the difference between having to watch your pennies during the trip or "waiter another bottle of your finest please"
If you like the results but don't want to deal with all the homework; my USA office would be happy to do it for you. Give them a call at 425.355.3711 or info@travel4real.com
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