Natalie and John started A Toast to Travel to share their love of travel and living well with others (You!). After a life in Corporate America, they have entered a phase of life where having exceptional experiences, shared with others, has become their mission. We want our guests to enjoy life like we do. Natalie served as Chair for the United Nations Association Chicago for gender equality and in working with more and more women, it … [Read more...]
Dine with the Locals… Bon Appetour
Where shall we eat tonight? When I am traveling, one of the things that gets me down is the hundred and one decisions you have to make during the day. What to eat and where to eat are two that come to mind. Once I was alone in Barcelona, my first time in Spain. I was very very tired, after a long day exploring. I was keen to try local food, but not keen on eating by myself, and trying to navigate my way through a menu I could not … [Read more...]
Cook in Tuscany – Truly All Inclusive
Linda from Cook in Tuscany writes: All-inclusive can mean many different things to many different cooking tours in Italy. Tuscany is beautiful but can be hard to navigate. The all-inclusive option offers you the ability to know what you are paying for in advance. I invite you to look closely at itineraries from other tours. Watch out for "You will have time to explore", "Time to yourself", and "You are free this morning"...That means not included … [Read more...]
Unique Cooking School in Puglia, Italy
Lyn and Chris are New Zealanders who, as well as running The Gables Guest House at Akaroa, have for 13 years been leading small group tours to Italy. As chefs and foodies, their tours have always had a cooking theme - shopping at local markets, demonstrating how to cook and then of course eating the food and drinking the wine. For the first time Lyn and Chris are offering a weeks cooking school in their trulli home in beloved Pulgia in the South … [Read more...]
London Christmas Shopping Sprees with Kids
Christmas shopping divides opinion. There are those that dread it, and those that look forward to it all year. Most would agree however that mad dash amongst heaving crowds and emptying shelves on Christmas eve, trying to buy everything in one hit, is no-one’s idea of fun. With the right setting and careful planning however, Christmas shopping can be completely magical and stress free, even with kids. Why not take a trip to London this year, see … [Read more...]
Top places to shop during your stay in Paris
Guest post by Katrina Darby Paris is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, with a rich history of fashion, art and culture. It is known to some as the ‘Capital of Fashion’ and is home to some of the most famous fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel, Lancôme, Christian Dior, Guerlain and L'Oréal. It should come as no surprise then, that many people from around the world come here to shop. Paris is … [Read more...]
A Taste of Dubai
Visitors to the Middle East often wander through spice markets with curious noses and dawdle their way through meals wondering, “What is that flavour?” Food in Dubai is reminiscent of the flavours and aromas of the spice market. When searching out a good restaurant to sample some of the dishes and flavours mentioned here, find Dubai hotels or restaurants that are well reviewed and ask for the waiters’ recommendations. Read on for a description … [Read more...]
Fabulous tailors of Hoi An Vietnam
Rosann visits Yaly Couture Rosemary visits the Family Clothes shop for memorable Hoi An experience Travel Vuda Tours for Women to Vietnam Other Tours for Women to Vietnam Rosann hits the shops! The lovely Rosann Connolly escorted the Vietnam Delights May 2012 tour group - and wow boy did she hit the shops in Hoi An. Here she lets us in on some shoppers tips: Only the rich and famous have personal tailors right? Not so in Vietnam! Chic … [Read more...]
Thailand – Long Neck Karen people
To see or not to see the Long Neck Karen - that is the tourist's dilemma. ‘Go and see if you want,’ said our local hosts. ‘We don’t support the Long Neck Village. It is just a tourist venture, which exploits these people.’. … [Read more...]
Allergic to Thailand?
Scratching my legs and getting hives in Thailand It began with an itch, then a bit of a rash. By morning my legs were covered in raised welts. ‘Uh huh’, I remembered from once before, ‘Hives’. Was it the heat, was it something I ate in this country of delicious spicy food? Whatever it was, the itching was driving me crazy. The rash came on while I was at a two day silent retreat in a Buddhist monastery. It spread to my inner arms and chest. All … [Read more...]
