Your first visit is never your last Visit

Jokes about showing your vacation slides are legion; offer to show your friends pictures of your last trip and you’ll probably get a polite response followed by glazed over eyes, right?   My experience has shown me, though, that once you visit a place, you go back again and again in your memories.  The sensation of returning to that favorite place is renewed every time you see a picture in a magazine, or spot a familiar landmark in a movie or in a brochure.  This little-advertised fact is, in my opinion, one of the greatest values in travel today; because those return visits in your mind cost absolutely nothing.  For me, just seeing a familiar setting in a movie, (Paris and French scenes are among my preferred memories) or even reading through the myriad travel magazines I subscribe to always generates a feeling of “when I was there.” 

I suggest that you start making visits now, while you can.  While you can generate those travel memories that will transport you back to the places you loved every time you see a photograph of that place.  Take pictures and watch for photos of places you’ve already visited in movies and print.  While “a picture is worth a thousand words,” I say that it’s even more than that.  It’s the magic-carpet return visit to all the wonderful places in the world that you’ve journeyed to.    You know where they are.  You were just there.

Having a wonderful time.  Wish you were here,

Vickie

Flat Stanley, Ambassador to the world

Do you know Flat Stanley? Did you know that many, many people in Scotland and England know him? He traveled in the backpack of one of my recent tour participants and was photographed in many scenic and iconic spots all over the U.K.
Flat Stanley (his close friends call him “flat”) is a small cut-out character (the brilliant parents of his student creators had him laminated for survival) who apparently is known to many elementary students, parents and educators. He provides an on-the-scene report to his owners back home and helps them to learn more about visiting places all over the world. From what I witnessed, even London “Bobbies” know him; they were more than willing to have their picture made holding this little character. It was entertaining to see the way everyone entered into the spirit of including him in the pictures, finding the perfect spot for him, and even holding his little paper hands so he was in the group shots.

I think Flat serves as a great ambassador. And the folks who travel with him and document his journeys for their young friends should be commended for their efforts and kindnesses to the students. Travel enriches all our lives, even those who experience it through pictures and stories.

The next time you travel somewhere, ask your teacher friends if they have Flat Stanley in their classrooms. If they do, volunteer to take him in your suitcase and share your trip with a classroom of students. I promise you’ll have a good time doing it!

Meanwhile, Flat Stanley has lots of stories about some amazing places he’s visited. But he’s keeping quiet.

Having a great time. Wish you were here.

There’s no place like Sherman

Thank you, good and honest people of Sherman…and thanks to any out-of-town residents also, who happened to be in the parking lot of a large warehouse store this morning. For you all were the ones who completely ignored my large black handbag, which I inadvertently left in the basket of my shopping cart. Which was parked in the cart corral in full view of the entire parking lot. I had time to drive home, discover the loss, panic, jump back in my car and drive frantically back to said parking lot, praying all the way that some honest person had discovered it and turned it in. Imagine my thankful relief when I saw it sitting in the basket right where I had mistakenly left it when I was fighting the wind to get something loaded in my car.

I ask you, where else in the world but here would my story be told with such a happy ending. Nowhere else but the busy, hardworking, honest town of Sherman, Texas. Thank you friends, for not taking my purse. Thank you God for watching over all your harried children.

Having a great time,
Wish you were here.

One whiff…and I’m there again

We can get places faster than ever these days. As rapid as travel has become during my career, though, nothing can transport me to a favorite place faster than a remembered fragrance. Sometimes it’s the smell of spices in a restaurant, conjuring up visions of that wonderful sidewalk cafe in Athen’s famous Plaka market, or even just the smell of early morning outside. When the temperature is just right, I’m back on a sidewalk in Paris, heading for morning lattes and croissants at the Patisserie.

Today’s journey was delivered in the form of spring blooms. I was perusing the colorful aisles of a garden center when my nose was assailed by the incomparable fragrance of blooming Hyacinths. Then, just like that, I was back in that little antique shop in Windsor, outside of London. It was still cool and grey outside, but inside there was coffee brewing and a friendly shopkeeper ready to visit and show his wares. I smelled the flowers as soon as I walked in the door;on the counter of that jumble-filled, dusty shop was this beautiful old pot filled with blooming hyacinths. I leaned down to take a sniff and fell in love. That particular fragrance is like nothing else. It’s rare, coming only once a year to our Texas climate, and it quickly leaves us as the flower fades. But every time I smell it again, I am back in Windsor, in that wonderful shop. And I’m happy. It’s the cheapest vacation known to man.

Travel enriches our lives in so many ways. Not much is said about enriching your nose, but I’m telling you today. Get your nose out there in the world. Smell the food and the spices and the weather and the greenery and the flowers and sometimes, the people! You’ll be transported back each time you experience that fragrance again.

One of those hyacinths came home with me to sit on my desk. No passport required for this journey.

Having a great time, wish you were here.
Vickie

Fall “No Cozumel” Cruise – November 7-14, 2010

Our popular “No Cozumel” cruise option returns this November as we set sail from our own Texas port of Galveston for a fun week at sea….and we skip Cozumel again! You know that until recently, all cruises from Galveston made a port stop at Cozumel, and since many of you have visited that port several times, we have made every effort to find cruises that avoid that stop. I think we’ve found the perfect option this year!

Carnival’s beautiful Conquest sails from Galveston on Sunday, November 7th, for a full 7 days in the scenic eastern Caribbean. We visit the charming port of Key West, with its lovely beaches, tempting shops and bars, and Earnest Hemingway’s home. (And yes, the 6-toed cats are still running wild in the yard.)

We enjoy two stops in the beautiful islands of the Bahamas, one of the most popular spots in the Caribbean for U.S. visitors. Our first stop is Nassau, (my favorite port). Offering a distinct blend of international glamour and tropical ease, Nassau and its neighboring Paradise Island will show you a wonderful day of fun, relaxation, beach activities, or just wandering the cobbled streets.

Freeport is our 2nd stop in this interesting and beautiful chain of Caribbean Islands. Where Nassau is a blend of the old and new, Freeport/Lucaya is a modernistic planned city and is situated on the island of Grand Bahama. Here you will find long stretches of deserted-clean-white beaches, world class scuba diving facilities and land and sea sports. Shopping is also a feature, with duty-free treasures from around the world.

And you’ll enjoy 3 full days at sea to relax, experience the fun and activities of shipboard life, or to try your luck in the casino. Sea days are so much fun!

Of course, we’ll get you to and from Galveston in comfort and style. Our private motorcoach will depart at 6am on Sunday, November 7, and will bring you back home around 5:30pm on the 14th. Our specially discounted pricing includes round trip transportation from Sherman, cruise fare including all meals and entertainment, (and Carnival has free ice cream!) all port taxes and fees, snacks, refreshments and lunch on the way to Galveston, and return snacks and beverages on our return to Sherman.

Join me for this value-priced, fun-filled cruise this November and see why our cruise packages are so popular…we’ve included everything to make your week relaxing, convenient, enjoyable and affordable. Call me today to sign up. Cabin space is limited and prices are not guaranteed until we receive your deposit of $250 per person.

Pricing begins at $859 per person for an inside cabin. $979 for an ocean view cabin. $1149 for a balcony cabin. Pricing is based on two persons in a cabin and include everything listed below:

Cruise/tour Features:
Private motorcoach transportation from Sherman to Galveston
Snacks and beverages aboard our motorcoach
Lunch enroute to Galveston
Cruise fare in selected cabin (pricing shown below)
All meals and entertainment aboard ship
Port Taxes and government fees
Fully escorted from Sherman by veteran tour escort Vickie White

Oberammergau Passion Play – September 5, 2010

11 Days/9 nights

Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany

Nestled high in the Bavarian Alps, the village of Oberammergau is a favorite destination for those seeking respite and rejuvenation. But every ten years, it achieves mystical proportions. It began in 1632, when a woodcarver brought the bubonic plague home. Within a year, the plague ravaged the region and had taken nearly a quarter of Oberammergau’s inhabitants. The town of Oberammergau vowed that if God were to spare them from the effects of the plague, they would perform a play every ten years depicting the life and death of Jesus. The death rate among adults rose from one in October 1632 to twenty in the month of March 1633. The adult death rate slowly subsided to one in the month of July 1633. The villagers believed they were spared after they kept their part of the vow when the play was first performed in 1634. The most recent performance was in 2000. In 2010, the village will perform the play for the 41st time, and we invite you to experience the mystical power of this world-famous event with us.

Included features: 

· Round trip flights from Dallas/Ft. Worth

· Hotel accommodations for nine nights, including hotel taxes and service charges with premium hotel accommodations in the Oberammergau region

· Daily breakfast, two lunches and five dinners, including a Welcome Dinner at the beautiful hotel Bristol

· Premium location tickets to the Passion Play

· Half-day city sightseeing tours of Lugano, Innsbruck and Munich

· Full-day sightseeing of Como, including a lake cruise

· Oberammergau/Hohenschwangau:  Excursion and visit of Neuschwanstein Castle

· Services of an English-speaking escort from arrival in Milan/Stresa to departure in Munich

· Fully escorted from DFW by veteran tour escort Vickie White

· Cancellation Insurance

$5669 per person based on double occupancy

Itinerary details

Day 1 – Depart DFW for Milan, Italy

 Day 2 – Arrive Milan/Stresa.  Your escort will give a brief orientation tour of the Lakes District on the way to the hotel.  Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at your hotel. (D)

Day 3 – Breakfast at the hotel before a full daya tour of the Italian Lakes district, including a three-island cruise on Lake Como.  Return to Stresa for overnight (B)

 Day 4 – Breakfast at the hotel before your free day to shop, relax or take an optional tour to Milan to view the “Last Supper.”  Dinner this evening is at the hotel. (B, D)

Day 5 – Breakfast at the hotel prior to departure for a scenic drive through the heart of Switzerland, stopping in Lugano for an included sightseeing tour.  After lunch, continue to Interlaken where you overnight. (B) 

Day 6 – Breakfast at the hotel before a free day in the beautiful town of Interlaken.  Tonight’s activity will be a typical Fondue dinner. (B, D) 

Day 7 – Breakfast at the hotel prior to departure for a scenic drive through Tyrol’s famous Brenner Pass to the Austrial Alps and Innsbruck.  Enjoy a short tour of the town and time for lunch on your own.  In the afternoon take a short drive to Oberammergau and overnight in Ettal. (B, D)

 Day 8 – Breakfast at hotel and morning at leisure.  Transfer to Oberammergau to experience the moving and spectacular Passion Play. Overnight in Ettal. (B, L,) 

Day 9 – Breakfast at the hotel prior to departing for Munich and a sightseeing tour that includes the Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche Cathedral.  Afternoon free.

Day 10 – Breakfast at the hotel and a full day at leisure to enjoy more of Munich. (B, D)

 Day 11 – Breakfast at the hotel prior to our departure from Munich.  Afternoon arrival back in DFW

 Our Hotels

 

Grand Hotel Bristol, Stresa Superior First Class. This spacious, contemporary hotel can be found on generous grounds in a quiet location near the city center. The public areas are lavishly decorated with mahogany furniture, crystal chandeliers and tapestries.  Amenities: Restaurants, café, bar/lounge, complimentary breakfast, lakeview garden, indoor and outdoor swimming pools (open May-Sept), steam room, sauna, spa tub, concierge, fitness equipment, wireless Internet access, laundry/dry cleaning, giftshop, newsstand, limited room service.

Metropole Hotel, Interlaken The Metropole Hotel lies in the center of the beautiful mountainous area of the Bernese Oberland.  It towers majestically over the roofs of Interlaken. We offer highlights such as the specialty restaurant “Bellini”, the panorama restaurant “Top o’Met” with a terrace on the 18th floor and the “Metro-Bar” with live piano music. You may also enjoy the indoor pool, the sauna, shopping at the Metropole gallery, the tourist office next door, a hairdresser and a perfume shop. Simple elegance is paired with function and provides you as a guestany kind of comfort a 4-star-house can offer. The rooms are equipped with furniture in a light and friendly color in order for youto feel all-around comfortable. The modern features such as the safe, TV, minibar and online access.

Renaissance Hotel, Salzburg. Located in the new business center next to the main train station and within walking distance to area sites, the Renaissance Salzburg Hotel offers an ideal locale and wonderful amenities. Rooms feature luxurious bedding, wireless Internet and Premiere and BBC TV channels. indoor pool and sauna or workout in the fully equipped fitness center.  Enjoy culinary delicacies with local wines and beer at the restaurants offering local and international specialties.

Marriott Hotel, Munich. Located in the capital of Bavaria, close to the Munich city center, the Allianz Arena and steps from public transportation, the Munich Marriott Hotel is perfect for business or leisure travel. All Munich Marriott Hotel guest rooms feature a new state of the art bathroom, air-conditioning, safe, mini-bar and high-speed Internet access. Choose from American and International cuisine at our two restaurants. After a day of sightseeing, enjoy the new Thai Health Club “Himaphan” with sauna, pool, steambath and fitness center. Other hotel features include concierge, business center services, and 24h room service.

Post Hotel, Ettal. Ettal is located in a narrow valley not far away from Oberammergau. Our restaurant “Poststub’n” is a hint for gourmets with a special preference for exceptional quality. Visit our terrasse where we serve delicious cakes and gâteaus to our houseguests.

Greek Isles and Cruise – July 10-19, 2010

The stunning beauty and joy of Greece was captured perfectly in the recent hit film, “Mamma Mia.” Join in the fun and excitement of this movie on our summer trip to Greece! We’ve included the very best highlights of Athens, including the iconic Acropolis and Olympeieon, and will board our cruise ship for a 4 night Greek Isle Cruise visiting the most scenic and stunning islands in the Mediterranean Those islands you’ve seen in films, postcards and books including Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos and the island of Patmos. We visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi, where you’ll have an opportunity to visit the town of Ephesus, the most beautifully preserved ancient city in the area, with its deep Christianity roots and influences. Enjoy great food, sightseeing, time for shopping and strolling the safe and charming public markets, and feel yourself drawn to the centuries of history that have created this beautiful country. We’ve planned an itinerary that shows you the very best of Greece!

Included features:
Hotel accommodations for four nights, including hotel taxes and service charges
Five Day Cruise from Athens, visiting the ports of Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini.
All meals aboard ship.
Breakfast each day in Athens
Dinner each evening in Athens
Extensive sightseeing program as shown in itinerary
Services of a local escort and guide in Athens.
Fully escorted from DFW by veteran tour escort Vickie White
Taxes and fees on all tour features

Itinerary details below:
Sat, July 10- Departure Day. Ask about our group airfare from DFW. Other cities available.

Sun July 11 - Arrive Athens. Local transfer with guide from Airport to our hotel., the beautiful Royal Olympic Hotel. Your afternoon is free after check-in to relax or rest before our group arrival dinner in the hotel. Overnight at the Royal Olympic (D)

Mon – July 12 – After breakfast at our hotel, we enjoy our first introduction to this interesting and beautiful city. We’ll depart on our private motorcoach for sightseeing, including the Acropolis, ancient agora of Athens, Archaeological Museum of Keramiekos, Museum of the Ancient Agora, and Olympeion. We will return to our hotel for our free afternoon. Perhaps you’ll want to head down to the Plaka, the most popular spot for shopping and great local foods. It’s an amazing place to spend your first full day in this city! We will return for our included dinner including wine for this evening. Overnight at the Royal Olympic (B, D)

Tue – July 13 – After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Port of Piraeus and our cruise! We board our ship for lunch and afternoon sailing to the Greek Island of Mykonos, known for its iconic windmills. Enjoy a guided tour of this island, or simply take your own walking tour to the wonderful galleries, restaurants and bars and scenic points of this beautiful island. Return to your ship for dinner. (BLD)

Wed – July 14 – Enjoy shipboard life and all the included meals today as we sail to the Turkish port of Kusadasi. This is always a favorite stop on this cruise itinerary because of its proximity to the Biblical town of Ephesus. This town is widely acclaimed in Christian circles because of the apostle Paul’s letters to the Ephesians. You will see an ancient town that is beautifully restored with many buildings appearing as they did in those times, with the library and the main shopping area of the town open for tourists. Shopping in Kusadasi is amazing, with excellent prices on leather goods, textiles and locally produced goods. Return to ship and cruise to the Island of Patmos. (BLD)

Thurs – July 15 – The beautiful island of Rhodes is our destination today. This walled city is particularly beautiful, with its tiled-floored castle. Rhodes has a beautiful and interesting shopping area, with lots of places to draw your eye for gifts and souvenirs, as well as many places to sit in the sun and relax with a local Greek drink. Return to ship for any meals you wish this day. (BLD)

Fri – July 16 – We cruise to the port of Heraklion on the Island of Crete today for a short visit, then it’s on to the jewel of this cruise, Santorini. Known the world over for its stunning blue-roofed, white painted houses, it is one of the few places that live up to its hype. You will have time to enjoy this incredible island and maybe ride the donkeys from the top of the island back down to the ship. (BLD)

Sat – July 17 – We return to The Port of Piraeus and Athens today and will return to the Royal Olympic Hotel for our remaining 2 nights in Athens. You have the day to enjoy more of Athens; maybe you will want to return to the Plaka, or to one of the many museums in Athens. Dinner is included at our hotel (BD)

Sun – July 18 – Breakfast at our hotel, then you have a final day to enjoy Athens before we leave. We’ll have suggestions for activities you may want to enjoy! Our farewell dinner is tonight, so enjoy the day! (B, D)

Mon – July 19 – All too soon, we say goodbye to Athens and Greece and transfer back to the airport Greece is unforgettable, though, so enjoy the memories we made!

Price Per Person – $1975

The fine print
A valid U.S. Passport is required for travel to Greece. Ask about our free passport picture service.
Price excludes: tips to guides and drivers,any airline-imposed luggage fees,, passports and visas if required, items of a personal nature. Travel/Cancellation insurance is available and is highly recommended. Contact Vickie White for costs (based on age at time of travel.)
Itinerary and scheduled/included visits are as shown on above itinerary. Please note: Though rare, it may be necessary to substitute hotels and adjust itineraries due to local conditions. Similar hotels may be substituted with prior notice.

Booking Instructions

A deposit of $250 per person is required to confirm your space on this tour, along with correct names as shown on your passport. Final payment is due no later than 75 days prior to departure. Deposit and/or payments may be made by check or major credit card. Please mail all payments to: Vickie White Group Tours and Travel, P O Box 2131, Sherman, TX 75091. Please contact me at 903-815-2169 for questions or to give me your credit card information.

Will they charge for the bags under my eyes?

The major US airlines have discovered an unending stream of revenue with their baggage fees. They’ve figured out that we have developed a need for our ’stuff’ and we want to take it with us. So that’s gonna cost us. A lot. American Airlines has just responded to this trend by raising their first-bag fee to $25, with the second bag (you know, the one with your shoes) costing $35. That’s right. Sixty bucks to carry your stuff one way. Do the math. $120 round trip for your luggage!

This makes me tired. Which now makes me worried that they’ll charge me for the bags under my eyes. Ssh. Don’t give them any ideas.

Having a great time,
Wish you were here,
Vickie

Say it ain’t so

I’ve been in mourning all day long….the iconic Tavern On The Green Restaurant located in New York’s Central Park is closing. That’s right. That beautiful restaurant filled with the chandeliers dripping with colored crystals, the one that I always included in my many group trips to New York, the restaurant that was in both “Ghostbusters” and “When Harry Met Sally” is closing. Tomorrow. Apparently they, like so many other places like them, just ran out of money.

I’ll get over this, I’m sure. But for now, I’m feeling nostalgic pain, knowing that they’re auctioning off all the mirrors and aforementioned chandeliers and other kitschy stuff that made it so unique. And now I fear that the former Crystal Dining Room will become a Wendy’s or another Subway. Sniff. Farewell, Tavern On the Green.

I wonder if the Christmas ornament I bought there in 1982 is now valuable?

Your memories of New York welcome here.

Completed projects

I know, I know, this season calls for lots of projects in the works. But, really, does anything feel as good as getting that long-delayed project completed? Even if you get up in the middle of the night to finish it? Well, this morning I’m experiencing that too-rare feeling. I’m finished with a long-overdue project! Aah. Satisfaction. Completeness. Resolution. Absolution. Thankfulness for tenacity. I’m there.

Now, what was I doing when I started this?

Having a great time, wish you were here.
Vickie

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