In This Issue
The One Bag Commitment
Colorado Rockies Ramble
My 2011 Travel Predictions
Fall Trip Discounts
Off to Alaska
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Pictures from Tuscany
The first day in particular, I kept having the feeling I was walking through a postcard or a beautiful painting. There were fields of bright red poppies everywhere!
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San Gimignano
San Gimignano, with its soaring towers, is one of the most picturesque of Tuscan towns. On this particular hike we walked along a parallel ridge for a couple of hours - just a spectacular view. After an amazing lunch we had a couple of hours to wander through it. It was full of tourists but it was easy to understand why it was so popular.
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Gelato
You have probably heard of, if not tasted, gelato, the Italian version of a frozen dairy desert. Somehow it tastes richer, denser, and with more intense flavor, even though it is lower fat and sugar than American ice cream. It is completely addictive. Fortunately on a hiking trip you can pretty much eat as much as you want.
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Mother and Daughter
I forgot to include this picture in my last newsletter and its a favorite. Norine and Colleen have been on several trips with us, including to Peru and Machu Picchu. They both love to travel and since they live in different parts of the country, this is a great way for them to spend time together.
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The One Bag Commitment
I'm done with checking luggage! Seriously. After missing my connection from Atlanta to Baltimore because I was waiting for a bag to take through customs that never arrived, I vow to only have carry-on unless 1) I need space for camping equipment; or 2) TSA busts me for carrying hiking poles in my bag (which is why I had the checked baggage last time - although TSA in the U.S. didn't question my poles, TSA in Florence, Italy wouldn't let them through).
I was already moving in that direction and only had one bag for my personal stuff for the Italy trip. In addition to saving on baggage fees, I loved the simplicity and freedom of carrying less clothing and washing out what I needed. In preparation for the trip, I bought 3 items:
1. A Rick Steves Convertible Carry On. I hate buying anything that has someone's name on it, but I did a lot of looking and this had what I wanted: a size that could accommodate my hiking poles and fits allowable carry-on dimensions; some outside pockets for organizing; and stowable straps that turn it into a backpack for transport thru the subway system, airport etc. It also has a shoulder strap for shorter jaunts. I am not convinced as to its durability but it served me perfectly on the trip.
2)Packing cubes. I had heard about them from people on my trips before but never used them. I am a total convert! It was much easier to keep my clothes organized and to repack.
3)Travel clothes from Chico's. This was my real splurge but I like being able to dress in the evening in clothes that aren't wrinkled and are easy to mix and match. I suspect they will last me for the rest of my travel life.
Obviously this means you need to arrive at the airport in time to go back and check your bag if a TSA agent decides my broken down hiking poles are dangerous- but I do that anyway. I am looking forward to continually refining my approach. If you have any suggestions, let me know and I'll publish them in the next newsletter.
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Colorado Rockies Ramble
One of our new trips this year is a Colorado Rockies Ramble, a 5-day hiking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park. We've chosen hikes that showcase the diverse ecosystems of the Park, and the trip is suitable for both beginning and experienced hikers. Our head guide for the trip, Brenda, is not only a Colorado naturalist but also a yoga instructor who loves to offer optional yoga sessions on her trips.
When she first suggested staying at the YMCA of the Rockies, I immediately thought screaming kids and bunkbeds. Not so. Well maybe somewhere on the property, but we've reserved a huge cabin with 7 bedrooms, 2 beds and private bath in each room, and a large common area and kitchen for enjoying conversation and healthy meals at the end of the day. If you have been wanting to visit this iconic park, we can't think of a better way. Sign up by June 4 and get $50 off the already all-inclusive price of $1200.
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My 2011 Travel Predictions
Last year I predicted that 2009 would be the best time to travel to Europe in years because airfares would never be lower and the dollar/euro exchange rate would never be better. I was half right. Actually up until some time in January I was completely right.
However, if you follow exchange rates, you know the euro has tumbled in the last few months and it is unlikely to recover for several years. While I don't think this is generally good news, every cloud has a silver lining- and for travelers, Europe will be more affordable than it has been in years (although don't look for any decrease in airfares). We're offering a number of new trips to Europe next year which you can expect to see up on the website by the end of the summer.
Incidentally, if you want to track exchange rates, the website I use is www.xe.com. The rates you actually end up paying are higher than this (depending on how you get foreign currency)but this will give you a good estimate.
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Fall Trip Discounts
If you're planning your fall vacation, we still have some 5% discounted spaces available on several trips (you need to sign up at least 90 days before):
Sea Kayaking Nova Scotia (2)
Lodge to Lodge on the Superior Hiking Trail (3)
Sedona, Havasu, and the Grand Canyon (1)
Harpers Ferry (4)
Slackpacking Georgia (3)
Hiking Bryce and Zion National Parks (4)
If you're still thinking an August vacation is what you need to beat the heat, we have spaces left on Magical Maine (3), Hiking the Cascades (2) and Exploring the Black Hills (3). Come join us!
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Off to Alaska
I am leaving for Alaska on Friday for two weeks and Deb (who hopefully will be recovered form her jetlag from Croatia)will be back in the office. After that we will both be around for a couple of months and plan to get all of our 2011 trips (at least through summer) planned and up on the website. Summer heat is already descending on Baltimore and I am looking forward to glaciers, mountains, and lakes. Have a wonderful June!
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