July 17, 2010
Welcome to our July-August issue of
" Slow Travel for Women " Newsletter
Summer is here birds are singing, flowers are blooming and there is the scent of Holidays in the air which reminds us of our travels. We wanted to share with you this short peom written by Vida Venadic, a young Serbian poetress. Very often, we tend to get caught up in our daily lives and postpone our travels for “another day”.
Travel
Travel.
Do not hesitate,
As hesitation is leading to the defeat.
Travel.
And enjoy it.
Travel through the time.
Travel
Until you find the truth
No matter where it is hidden.
Travel
And search for it,
Even if it was
In the unknown
On the road
Leading from the east to the west.
So, we may meet there
for the best
by Vida Nenadic
So, don’t hesitate, “Sign-up for one of our Slow Travel for Women Tours! . . .” You will be left with lots of wonderful memories to help you continue in your daily routines.,
The unique feature which distinguishes the Slow Travel Groups is their desire to understand and appreciate the places they visit.
Our Slow Travel Tours will enable you to experience a deeper type of travel; an easier, simpler and slower way of absorbing the beauties and culture of the various countries. You will see and appreciate what is closer to you without having to dash around to see the "musts".
Pre-Departure Documents:
A gentle reminder regarding your pre-departure preparations. It is of the utmost importance to have the proper documents for your chosen destination, passports up to date as well as visas, if needed. Custom agents must follow the rules no matter how winning your smile may be. Read your Health Insurance Plan carefully to see whether the policy will cover you while traveling.
Packing Tips: There are two kinds of travelers in the world: those who pack light and those who wish they had. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has compiled some helpful packing tips so that you can maximize your space.
PACKING LIST - MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT!
Like an architect planning a building, so must you plan the contents of your suitcase by creating a packing list. A packing list eliminates the panic of last-second packing, serves as a handy guide for repacking at the end of the trip, and can be beneficial in the unfortunate event of lost or stolen luggage.
Check the weather forecast of the destination and plan accordingly. Be sure to know the local traditions, where a t-shirt for dinner could be a serious blunder, or bare shoulders may bar your entrance into such places as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
Jewelry - don't take what you don't want to lose, and leave behind the flashy pieces that could attract thieves. Keep makeup to a minimum to save space. When it comes to the question of toiletries, travel kits are always the answer. Having a travel kit perpetually stocked in a waterproof case will save in packing time before the trip and aggravation after arrival.
ALERT: The US Department of Homeland Security, Canada, the United Kingdom and European Union are restricting the amount of liquids passengers can carry on an airplane. If in doubt, check with your airline carriers.
When it comes to incidentals, a few items will go a long way.
Important items to bring include a first-aid kit, a small bottle of aspirin, sunscreen and a small bottle of Woolite for emergency, in-room laundering if needed. Also, a Swiss army knife will amaze you with its handiness, whether peeling fruit or uncorking a wine bottle. Remember - it's not allowed on the plane, so pack it in your checked luggage.
THE ART OF PACKING There are different “schools of thought here”: the “folders” and the “rollers”. Sometimes it just depends on the piece of clothing and fabric itself.
Iron everything before placing it in the suitcase. If it goes in crisp and clean, odds are more in its favor of coming out the same. Button all buttons and zip all zippers.
Learn to fold. Practice folding like they do in clothing stores - they use that method for a reason. The better the fold, the fewer the creases. All garments can be folded in many different ways - T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats can be rolled up and strategically positioned. The interlocking method of folding clothes is ideal for suitcases. Overlap two pieces of clothing flat and then fold them into each other so that each piece cushions the other to aid in defying wrinkles. If using the fold and stack method, try to think chronologically, placing the items to be worn first on the top. This will prevent rooting around the suitcase for a specific item while disrupting the rest. Always pack tightly. Packing loosely wastes precious space and causes clothes to wrinkle. Eliminate wasted space, such as the insides of shoes, which are perfect for socks or underwear.
Always carry travel documents, medication, jewelry, traveler's checks, keys and other valuables in your carry-on luggage. Items such as these should never be packed in checked luggage.
Label each piece of luggage, both inside and out, with your name and telephone number, but not your home address. If an address is needed, then put your office's. And remove old claim checks to avoid confusion. Unpack as completely as possible as soon as you get to the hotel to prevent further wrinkles. When repacking, remember that balled-up, dirty laundry takes more space than carefully folded clothes, so repack your used clothing identically to your original packing method.
Wherever you are about to travel, check for the seasonal temperatures and precipitation. Proper and comfortable clothing and accessories are an important issue and we are inviting you to visit our on-line shop for a few great travel items.
Our Newest Tours:
Portugal: From Lisbon to Porto, October 10 - 16, 2010
Immerse yourself in the wonderful culture and sights of Portugal. Travel from Lisbon to Porto while learning about their arts and crafts, culinary treats and musical traditions. Meet local families and dine with them or learn about their local wine.
Greek Islands: Mykonos & Santorini, September 20th - 27th, 2010
We are pleased to offer you a taste of two of the most beautiful Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. On Mykonos enjoy the picturesque and magical atmosphere of the whitewashed cubic houses with flat roofs, blue doors and windows, narrow paved streets and flowered balconies. On the volcanic Santorini island, most of the villages are perched on the top of impressive cliffs. They offer incredible views over the volcano, the sunset and Thirassia.
The Islands of Sicily & Malta, October 1st - 8th, 2010.
Discover these “two jewels in the Mediterranean Sea” full of rich history and natural beauty. Our tour begins in Malta and ends in Catania in Sicily.
Malta, one of the latest additions to the European Union, is renowned for its hospitality boasting of a unique Mediterranean culture.
Taormina in Sicily will be your home as you explore the surrounding areas dominated by one of Italy's active volcanos: Mount Etna.
A word about our Italy Within Reach Tour. which has taken off with a “bang”. It has “weekly departures”!
The tour starts in Venice and ends in Rome. You will spend 2 nights in Venice and Florence and 3 nights in Rome, Italy’s most fascinating cities.
You will be transported by train (1st class Eurostar) from Venice to Florence and lastly to Rome. We take care of the train and your 4* hotels in each city. This tour was organized by popular demand BOTH for those of you who are already familiar with these cities and for those of you who are “first time” visitors and would appreciate more freedom with perhaps some regularly scheduled tours of each city.
Many requests came from expatriates living in Europe and in Italy itself. Many women are alone and prefer to join a group of travelers. However, please note: this tour will be open to husbands and significant others as well.
Below is an excerpt from one of the e-mails we have received regarding this tour.
“…..Bella Italia,” ” what else can I say. A truly fantastic tour…. savoring every moment with all of our senses…….not having to worry about hotels, trains, etc ………overwhelmed with our freedom to plan our day doing what we wanted to do…. picture postcard panoramas amidst spectacular scenery. Thank you Slow Travel!! "
Remember to take at look at our Custom Tours page. We can help you find the best solution for your next trip and do all the planning for you from hotels to sightseeing to transportation.
Celebration Tours are going very well. Why not celebrate your anniversary, birthday, retirement, graduation, promotion, etc. with a great trip.
We planned a fantastic custom tour for Liz & Jack and their family to celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary in Europe. We are also planning a custom tour of Greece and Croatia for Sue and her work colleagues.
Take a look at our aStore run in collaboration with Amazon.com. Check out the newest travel guides and books on Portugal, Greece, Malta, Italy and Sicily.
This month we have included a wonderful Portuguese chicken dish recipe to our Cookbook list. It is called “Piri Piri Chicken”.
Muriel & Ann invite you to check their website for tour updates, new destinations for 2010 and new travel blog entries.
If you have not already taken our
2010 Survey
please do so. This way we can plan tours for the destinations of your choice.
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 free
Slow Travel for Women Newsletter.
Ann & Muriel
Slow-Travel-for-Women
Slow Cooking Recipe No. 15
PIRI-PIRI CHICKEN – a classic Portuguese dish
Piri-piri chicken is a spicy dish with roots in both Africa and Portugal. The dish was created in Angola and Mozambique when Portuguese settlers arrived with chili peppers (known as piri-piri in Swahili).
Ingredients
2 chickens
salt to tatse
freshly ground pepper
100 g butter
1 tsp sugar
½ bunch of chopped mint
½ bunch of chopped coriander
For the piri-piri sauce:
6 to 12 red chilies, depending on how hot you want it
1 tbsp garlic chopped and poached
1 tsp sea salt
100ml extra virgin olive oil
50ml red wine vinegar
Preparation of the Piri-Piri Sauce.
Preheat the oven to 180°C
Place the chilies in a roasting tray and roast them for 10 minutes.
Cool and roughly the chop the chilies. Place the chilies, garlic, salt, olive oil and vinegar in a saucepan, bring to the simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Allow to cool, then blend to a puree in a blender or food processor.
Store in a lidded container at room temperature; it will keep for about a month. Shake before using.
Preparation of chicken:
Place the chickens in a sealable plastic bag. Add in half the piri-piri sauce, spreading it evenly over the chickens. Seal and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Preheat a large griddle pan.
Season the marinated chicken with salt and freshly pepper.
Cook the chicken on the griddle pan for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown on each side.
Transfer the griddled chicken to a roasting tray and roast in the oven for 30 minutes, until cooked through.
A delicious alternative to roasting the chicken is to barbeque it on the grill.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add in the sugar and the remaining piri-piri sauce and heat through gently, stirring now and then. Keep the sauce warm and just before serving stir in the mint and coriander.
To serve: Cut the chicken into portions and toss with the mint and coriander sauce.