August 20, 2009
Welcome to our August/September issue of
" Slow Travel for Women " Newsletter
This newsletter will find most of you returning from your summer holidays and already planning for your next get-a-way vacation.
The Co-directors of Slow Travel for Women, are busy finalizing the last details for the 2009 tours as well planning our 2010 calendar which will include many of our favorite tours repeated from last year as well as some “new exciting destinations”.
We have decided to dedicate this newsletter to our aStore in collaboration with Amazon.com as well as giving you some valuable information regarding new travel tips and trends. As always we have included a recipe, this time a quick summer dish which is easy to make and delicious – the Arugula Caprese Salad.
Back from your summer holidays and still feel tired? Relax and enjoy the wonderful Umbrian countryside and pamper yourself with our next Chocolate and Wine Cuddle Tour. Be sure to reserve before our deadline August 28th.
This 4 day/3 night getaway includes a gourmet welcome dinner, a full-day wine tour including two wine tastings, a hands-on cooking class followed by a group meal and a relaxing chocolate massage at the hotel’s beauty farm.
The deadline for our Sannio-Amalfi- Rome tour is approaching. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover an area of southern Italy, that will remain in your heart forever. Few travelers are aware of the beauty, history, culture and culinary wealth hidden within the folds of the Apennine mountains between Rome and Naples.
Sannio boasts a rich cultural heritage and dramatic history, a climate catering to all types of activities, areas of outstanding beauty, vibrant places to visit and a thriving arts scene.
Please check our website for further details regarding the Sannio-Amalfi-Rome tour. Final reservations will be accepted until August 24th.
One of the challenges facing all of us as we plan for our trip is the preparation and a good Packing List. There are several good sources available on the website, but we found this one by Travellerspoint quite helpful and have summed up a few significant points.
Essentials: Passport, tickets or ticket information, contact numbers, notebook and pen.
Finances: ATM and credit cards, cash in the local currency, money belt.
First Aid Kit: Band Aids, diarrhea tablets, insect repellent, prescription medicines, headache and pain tablets.
Clothes Accessories: hat (sun and rain), gloves, raincoat, safety pins, sewing kit, sunglasses, scarf.
Toiletries: Anti-bacterial cream, comb, brush, dental floss, deodorant, fingernail clippers, nail file, talcum powder, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairdryer.
Other Items: electrical adapters and plug converter, flashlight, inflatable travel pillow, batteries and chargers, duct tape (fixes everything), travel clothesline, photocopies of important documents, travel alarm, maps, guidebooks, . . . and naturally clothes, shoes, etc. etc. (we will leave that part to you)
Depending on your geographical destination, season and climate, type of tour, and local customs, you will need to adjust your list to comply. An almost infinite amount of information can be found today on the internet, so do some extensive research beforehand to avoid unexpected problems or surprises.
An important ingredient in the "Packing Light" equation is the capability to wash clothes easily and have them dry by morning. Travel Laundry Aids, combined with quick-dry clothing, socks and underwear insures your luggage will be as lightweight as possible.
Clever products such as Woolite travel soap, Static Guard spot remover and Wrinkle Free Spray make doing laundry a breeze. Laundry line and inflatable hangers aid in drying. By becoming self-sufficient at laundering, travelers pack less clothing and less weight. Expect to do a little laundry every three to five days and you will thank us later for packing less clothing.
As stricter regulations are being applied by most major airlines regarding weight limits both for stored luggage and carry-ons, new lightweight suitcases are a fantastic help.
Visit our aStore and browse through the various categories of products we have selected for our readers from the vast selection of goods offered through Amazon.com. Each purchase is made directly through their excellent and secure system.
Muriel & Ann invite you to check our website for tour updates and new destinations for 2010. Take part in “ 2009 Survey” and contact us with your comments and questions.
Sign up now for your next getaway vacation!
Looking forward to getting news and tips from our readers.
Our subscribers continue to grow and we would like to thank all of our faithful readers for spreading the word. Feel free to forward the newsletter to your friends and encourage them to sign up for our monthly Slow Travel for Women Newsletter.
Ann & Muriel
Slow-Travel-for-Women
Slow Cooking Recipe No. 11
ARUGULA CAPRESE SALAD
Submitted by Gianna Fiori, Italy
Ingredients for 4 people:
150 gr. arugula
4 tomatoes
4 buffalo mozzarella balls
extra virgin olive oil
basil leaves
oregano
Preparation:
Carefully wash and dry the arugula. Cut the tomatoes and the buffalo mozzarella in 4 horizontal slices. Season with extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and a pinch of dry oregano. Alternate layers of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil leaf and arugula. You can secure the Caprese Salad with a skewer or a long toothpick.
Wine pairing:a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay of your choice is an excellent companion to this dish.