June 26, 2008
Welcome to our June issue of
" Slow Travel for Women " Newsletter
Summer is upon us and the
Directors of Slow Travel for Women,
Ann Marinelli and Muriel Theriault, have many wonderful surprises in store for you.
We would like to thank all of you who took time to fill out our Travel Destinations Survey form. Based on the results of your requests, we are now planning our next Slow-Travel-for-Women tours.
See the graph below for the most popular destinations.
All of our tours are unique and are designed with our “Slow Travel” philosophy in mind. We try to interweave cultural and historical visits, gastronomic experiences, walks enjoyed in natural settings and moments of pure indulgence.
Here are just a few below! For more detailed information, departure dates and cost, contact us directly and keep an eye out for updates on our website.
“Gourmet Tour of Ireland” – Think “green”, we are planning a spectacular 9-day tour of Ireland starting in Dublin and tailored especially for women. Savor Ireland, brace yourself for breathtaking scenery, cultural delights and truly captivating cities visiting the areas around Kilkenny, Cork, Clare and Galway before returning to Dublin. This “gourmet” tour will give you the opportunity to taste many Irish specialties including “coddle”, roast lamb, Irish smoked salmon, oysters and to visit famous Irish distilleries. You will also have a cooking demonstration at a renowned cooking school and visit local markets and museums. Since Ireland is the land of gardens, we have arranged to bring you to the most magnificent gardens and mazes.
“New England Tour” – An amazing 10-day luxury tour starting in Boston, Massachusetts one of the oldest cities in the U.S., rich in culture and history. The emphasis will be on comfort, elegance and enjoyment permitting you to return home relaxed and rejuvenated. Walk the Freedom Trail, ride the amphibious vehicle, and taste the famous New England seafood. Visit the island of Nantucket, one of the most unique, historic, and visually stunning places in the world. Once a booming whaling port, now an exclusive vacation treat offering world-class shopping and dining in a relaxed atmosphere and with a vast selection of cultural events. Go back in history to the years 1790-1840 and live an unforgettable day in Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum. The clou of the trip will be a three-day stay at an exclusive resort in western Massachusetts where you will be pampered to your heart’s content!
“The Magic Triangle-Vienna, Budapest and Prague” – Join us on a 9-day memorable tour to the three cultural imperial capitals situated in the heart of Europe! Romantic Vienna, is an embarrassment of richness in culture, music and history. You will be surrounded by Gothic architecture at its height, whether you are visiting the Imperial Palace or the Stephansdom. Vienna is known for its elegant shops and quality products. The golden city of Prague, ancient capital of Bohemia, is home to the largest ancient castle of the world. Walk through its famous squares, stroll across the Charles bridge, listen to classical music and savor the local cuisine. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is known especially for its characteristic folklore. Enjoy a typical Hungarian gourmet dinner while cruising the famous Danube river.
In each of these magical cities, you will enjoy some outstanding cultural performances returning home with unforgettable memories.
Upcoming Tours:
Cinque Terre and Tuscany
Florence & Rome
Malta & the Greek Islands
Scandinavian Cruise
Other fall tours being prepared:
Montreal, Quebec City, Vermont
Sicily and the smaller islands
New York City and the Finger Lakes
Wine-tasting tours in France
Dubai
Some of our most popular tours will be repeated as the number of participants to each tour is limited!
For those of you who haven’t yet done it, we invite you to sign up for our monthly Newsletter and do take a few minutes of your time to fill out our Survey Form. We look forward to a long and lasting relationship with you.
Ann & Muriel
Slow-Travel-for-Women
Slow Cooking Recipe No. 2
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER: A true Boston favorite
3 8-ounce bottles clam juice
1 pound russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces br>
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
3 slices bacon, finely chopped
2 cups chopped onions
1 1/4 cups chopped celery with leaves (about 2 large stalks)
2 garlic cloves
chopped
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup all purpose flour
6 6 1/2-ounce cans chopped clams, drained, juices reserved
1 1/4 cups half and half (light cream)
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Preparation
1. Bring bottled clam juice and potatoes to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until bacon begins to brown, about 8 minutes.
3. Add onions, celery, garlic and bay leaf and sauté until vegetables soften, about 6 minutes.
4. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes (do not allow flour to brown).
5. Gradually whisk in reserved juices from clams. Add potato mixture, clams, half and half and hot pepper sauce. Simmer chowder 5 minutes to blend flavors, stirring frequently. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
The chowder can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Bring to simmer before serving.
Serve with oyster crackers, if desired.
What can be better than a cold glass of Boston brewed beer. Try Samuel Adams traditional brew!
Enjoy!
