Hemingway left in 1960, after the revolution. Ernesto, as he was known there, stepped out of his front door never to return.

Finca Vigía remains a major cultural attraction, along with Hemingway’s favorite bar, the Floridita. I read recently that a team of American and Cuban experts are working to preserve the country estate, which houses thousands of the great writer’s books, papers and artifacts. Politics have been put aside for a common goal.

Amsterdam

Want to be part of the experience of the decade? If you miss it in 2012 – you will have to wait another 10 years! No, I’m not talking about Oberammergau’s Passion Play which just ended last fall but rather, Floriade 2012, designed for travelers passionate about culture in some of Europe’s most breathtaking cities.

During the period from April until mid-October 2012, the sixth anniversary of Floriade will be staged and Collette is the first major U.S. tour operator with an exclusive sneak peak at a not-yet released tour to celebrate this World Horticultural Expo of music, dance, literature, theater and visual art from all over the world!

Collette’s new 11 day Netherlands, Belgium, and France program (tour name still to come) visits three of the main capitals of history and culture in Europe: Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris. The tour is subject to change, but will include behind-the-scenes immersive tours and attractions, fascinating culinary experiences, and unrivalled displays of flowers and gardens at the Floriade event.

“This itinerary promises to deliver an awesome cultural experience for our clients visiting a region we have not had a land program in for a few years,” says David Lutz, Collette Vacations’ Product Manager.

Some other features you will not want to miss on the tour include a candlelight canal cruise in Amsterdam, a visit to the Keukenhof Flower Gardens, the famous Floriade Horticultural Exposition, a culinary class in Belgium, a Bruges walking tour, a visit to Claude Monet’s home in Giverny, a beautiful Seine River cruise, and finally dinner at the Eiffel Tower featuring wonderful French cuisine and breathtaking views of Paris.

For more information about the Floriade, see our previous post.

Update: Our Floriade tour has been finalized, call 800-340-5158 for more information or view the itinerary on our webiste by clicking here. And tell them Traveling Well sent you!

Folklore Dancers at Cafe Luso

Some things are just quintessentially Portugal – like pretty fishing villages or painted ceramic tiles (azulejos).

Fado is yet another experience that most travelers to picturesque country enjoy during their visit. Like the blues, Fado which means “fate”, is an expression of longing and sorrow. Though I can’t understand a word of it, you get the sense from its powerful emotional potrayal that the lyrics are about a longing for what has been lost or what has never been attained. Like a roller coaster ride, you feel yourself transported throughout the song on a journey of love, death, tragedy and triumph.

 At Cafe Luso in Lisbon, a charming, candle-lit restaurant with arches carved from rock and a wood coffered ceiling, our group is front and center for the Fado performance that follows a savory dinner of pork, potatoes, roasted chestnuts and kale. Each performance is accompanied by a guitarra and viola and many of the women singers (called fadistas) wear black and the traditional black shawl.

This is not to say that Fado is for everyone. One passenger finds the performance too melancholy and is happy for the lively group of dancers who take the stage in between Fado performances. Dressed in traditional  costume and dancing the music of all Portuguese regions, they are quite entertaining and a nice balance to the more somber ritual of the Fado.

Collette passengers get in on the act

Another Collette traveler sitting across from me appears enthralled by the evening’s entertainment. She later tells me that it didn’t matter that you don’t speak or understand the language, Fado is done with such feeling, that it transcends the need for words.

 As the evening wears on and a small parade of well-schooled Fado singers take the stage, each one different in their approach yet pitch perfect, I realize something watching back to back performances.

Young fadista

The first a young singer whose unlined face is matched by an equally lovely voice is followed by a much older gentleman dressed in a dark suit.

To my untrained ear, the most poignant Fado is expressed when you have actually experienced some of the highs and lows that come with having lived a long life.

An Evening of Fado at Cafe Luso

It’s an exciting day for me!

Collette Vacations just announced the launch of Collette Family Vacations, complete with new logo, brochure and micro-site.

Collette Family Vacations are kid friendly travel options for parents and grandparents. On the roster of Family Vacations are nine new, specially-crafted itineraries that bring travelers of all ages together to experience destinations ranging from U.S. National Parks and Canada to the Galapagos and Kenya.

As the mother of three children, and someone who works in travel, it is always disheartening to me to see friends take their children year after year to Disney (no offense to Disney – we’ve taken the kids there a few times as well and have enjoyed it). But there is so much more to see and do and seven continents to do them!

It’s important to my husband and me to expose our kids to new sights and cultures – or at least as much as our budget allows. Living in a fairly small town in the smallest state, why not broaden their perspective a bit (and enhance their overall education)?

Plus, check out some of these family-friendly vacation inclusions and tell me what kid wouldn’t give up Space Mountain to try this:

• a zip-line canopy tour in Costa Rica.
• a wildlife encounter in the Galapagos.
• a ride on the London Eye.

I like to believe that families grow closer with shared experiences like rafting the Athabasca River in the Canadian Rockies, learning to make an authentic pizza in Italy or watching Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone.

Here are a few more things about Collette Family Vacations that I think parents and grandparents will like:

• They offer the ease and convenience of an escorted tour but are geared toward parents and grandparents traveling with children.
• Child Rates up to 50% Off adult rates for children (14 and under).
• Child rates that apply even with only one accompanying adult.
• Family-friendly hotels and activities; and itineraries designed to keep all generations engaged.

In a written announcement, Collette President and CEO Dan Sullivan, Jr. said of the new brand, “Launching Collette Family Vacations is really a natural extension of what we’re all about – Collette is in its third generation of Sullivan family ownership. I remember my dad (Dan Sullivan, Sr.) taking my siblings and I, along with our cousins, to the New York World’s Fair. This was the first of many family adventures that would serve to form lasting family bonds that are still strong today.”

What family trips do you remember from when you were a child?

For me, our family vacations always involved long car rides and too many visits to  forts and historic battlefields (my dad is a war buff). My brother and I just hoped for a motel with a pool.

Travel to Mexico should not be overlooked! 

While the media makes it difficult to overcome perceptions, it is important to remember that  Mexico is a huge country with many diverse regions and  cultures.   

•  Mexico is the 14^th largest country in the world;
•  It covers almost 2 million square kilometers;
•  Mexico’s population of approximately 103 million makes it the 11^th   most populous country in the world. 

“Avoiding travel to Cancun because of  ‘drug wars’ in Juarez is like avoiding travel to California because of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill,” says Allison Flint, product manager for Mexico. 

Cancun, particularly, strives to emphasize their distance from the border regions. “The Yucatan peninsula is like a different world,” says Allison.

For 2011, two new tours to Mexico highlight the Yucatan region –Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures Mexico’s Treasure:  The Yucatan; and Treasures of the Yucatan.

“Mexico is a fantastic value destination, with such close proximity to the US and convenient flights,” explains Allison. “Plus, Mexico is a soft-exotic destination making it perfect for travelers wary of pricey long-haul trips. ”

Adding to the conversation is Deb Shaw, Collette product specialist, who has been on both of these tours.  

“Mexico is a great destination for travelers who want to experience a different culture, see amazing sights, and enjoy fantastic food, like papadzules, mole poblano and my favorite, panuchos,” says Deb. “And I could not have felt more safe!”

Deb and Allison both agree that the history and culture is intriguing and the people are  warm, friendly and welcoming to tourists (most all speak English).

“People will be pleasantly surprised,” says Deb.

For those who are considering travel to Yucatan, it is a great warm weather tour for the off season.

“The Yucatan is nothing like what is shown on the nightly news,” says Deb. “For a more real image of Mexico culture, food, and sights try tuning into the Travel Channel or PBS.”

Market in Rome

Experiencing local cuisine is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a destination. We hear from Collette passengers all the time who tell us that exploring the gastronomy of different countries were some of the highlights they remembered most fondly about their trip.

Cuisine rooted in history   Food and wine shared among loved ones and new friends is part of what makes touring with a group special and these meals can reveal a lot about a place. Along with cultures and traditions, local cuisine is often tied to a destination’s history.

Tuscany Wine

With that in mind, Collette designs many itineraries to include hands-on cooking and food demonstrations by local chefs as well as experiences focused on culinary delights to please today’s travelers’ adventurous palate and interest in gastronomy.

Recipes from around the world

With over 125 tours to all 7 continents, the Collette team has enjoyed its share of meals around the world. Everyone comes back with a few favorites – those dishes made with fresh, regional ingredients that they rave about when they return home.

From time to time I’ll share a recipe with you for some food favorites from around the world. If you get a chance to try it out, I’d love to hear what your taste buds thought.

FEATURED DESTINATION:  Italy

Where else to start but Italy? Here is where sharing a meal of good food and wine is engrained in their culture. Grilled seafood fresh from the Amalfi Coast, veal saltimbocca in Rome, cannoli in Sicily and tiramisu in Naples…I’m hungry just thinking about Italy.

             Chicken Saltimbocca

1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breasts

2 tsps chopped fresh sage, leaves or

3/4 tsp dried leaf sage

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 tbs olive oil

2 oz very thinly sliced prosciutto

3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup dry white wine

Pound chicken breasts until even in thickness.  Season lightly with sage, salt and pepper.  In large nonstick skillet, beat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add chicken and cook until browned on one side, about 3 minutes.  Turn and layer with prosciutto and cheese.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pan and cook until cheese is melted and chicken is white throughout, about 2 minutes.  Remove from pan.  Stir in wine, scraping brown bits from bottom of pan.  Boil until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.  Spoon sauce over chicken and serve.  Serves 4.

 Bon apetit!

My children recently had a school vacation break in mid-April and so we decided a family vacation to Southern California would be a nice change from Orlando’s Disney World.

One place we visited was Palm Springs, the desert city within California’s Coachella Valley known for its spa resorts and golf courses. We spent two nights here (an easy two hour drive from San Diego) in order to take photos and video for Collette’s new 9-day A Southern California & Vegas Adventure.

Our first day dawned chilly and overcast (yes, I am talking about Palm Springs where on average 354 days each year are sunny…just our luck this wasn’t one of them). This meant we were not able to take advantage of our hotel swimming pool – a definite bummer for the kids – as it was only a few steps from our spacious, first floor room at the Palm Mountain Resort and Spa, the hotel that Collette uses on this tour.

Framed by the San Jacinto Mountains and an easy walk to the heart of downtown Palm Springs and its unique boutiques, outdoor cafes and quaint shops, Collette guests will spend three leisurely overnights here and will love the location as well as in-room amenities like coffee/tea brewer, refrigerator, and microwave oven. I found the staff friendly and accommodating even at 11 pm when we checked in and the key card we were given wouldn’t open the outside gate that surrounds the property.

Since we arrived under cover of darkness (makes my family sound like spies), our first order of business the next morning was the Palm Springs Visitor’s Center, a funky, contemporary-designed building located nearby The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tramcar which journeys up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon.  

Guests of Collette have a local guide to relay Palm Springs’ vast history, Native American heritage and stories of celebrities making the city their Hollywood playground. Without the luxury of a guide, I relied on the staff at the visitor’s center and they did a commendable job providing a brief background of the area and suggestions for our limited time here. One great tip was to end our day at VillageFest, steps from our hotel and held every Thursday evening, featuring hundreds of exhibitors, entertainment and other street fair activities.

Leaving the Visitor’s Center, it was decided that is was too overcast to ride the tram (bummer #2 for the kids) but I told them we would plan a visit the next day (which was forecast to be warm and sunny) to Knott’s Soak City water park. Unfortunately a drive-by revealed that the park was closed for a few days (no reason given) and while I secretly rejoiced, this was definitely bummer #3. They were not appeased by a visit to the Palm Springs Air Museum and its collection of vintage World War II aircraft but grown ups and Collette guests will enjoy the journey back in time.

All in all, our time in Palm Springs went too quickly and soon we found ourselves back in the mini van rental and on the road to LA. My 9-year-old son wanted to detour to Las Vegas (huh?), but he was overruled.

In my next post, I’ll let you in on some things that surprised and delighted me about Palm Springs…

One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi

A digital clock in Hanoi’s center counts down the seconds to year 1,000.

2010 is the year of Hanoi’s 1,000th birthday, an event that will be marked by a series of celebrations in this vibrant metropolis – and intriguing travel destination.

Do you remember how you celebrated our country’s bicentennial in 1976? That 4^th of July I spent the week with my mother, father and brother on our boat which was docked on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Even to my even-year-old eyes, the atmosphere was festive – lots of food and red, white and blue.

A trio of rebel rousers which included my Dad, a family friend who was spending the weekend with us, and a guy two boats down from ours decided to dress up like that iconic image of the Revolutionary War—the Colonial drummer, fife and flag bearer—to mark our nation’s 200^th birthday.

I saw a photo of the famous trio recently while digging through a shoe box of old family photos. In the aging Polaroid, a small plastic table turned upside down served as the drum with beer bottles for drum sticks and Dad, impersonating the wounded soldier, had wrapped a rag stained red (with ketchup?) around his head and used a paper towel cardboard tube as his flute. An American flag was pulled from the stern of our boat.

Yes, as I recall they were quite a sight marching around the marina singing Patriotic songs off tune. I thought it was funny back then. My kids would probably be mortified if my husband and his merry friends tried to pull a stunt like that.

Historic milestones give us a reason to celebrate (plus, a few pre-fireworks cocktails apparently do the trick as well). And whether marking 200 years or 1000 years, you know there will be performances and festivities to commemorate the historic event.

Travelers to Hanoi can expect no less in 2010.

Here you will find ancient temples; the labyrinthine Old Quarter, considered the jewel of Hanoi because of its ideal location near pristine Hoan Kiem Lake and a shopper’s paradise; and colorful outdoor markets.  Hanoi which has witnessed considerable economic and cultural growth in the last couple of decades is a great place to try flavorful street food.

A two night stay in Hanoi is featured on Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures Treasures of Angkor Wat & Vietnam, a custom crafted tour that offers the best in educational travel. 

This exciting 16-day journey through Southeast Asia showcases the fascinating history, culture, and artistic treasures of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In addition to Hanoi, you can explore Thailand’s vibrant Bangkok and Siem Reap, Cambodia’s gateway to the temple complex of Angkor.

Throughout this region, your journey is enhanced by guided tours, expert-led discussions and leisure time to explore on your own.

Readers, have you been to Hanoi or traveled with Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures? I’m sure our travelers planning a visit in 2010 to Southeast Asia would love to hear your thoughts on the city and the region.

Author Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir Eat, Pray, Love, one woman’s tale of global travels that led to profound self-discovery following divorce and depression, has inspired millions of readers throughout the world to see and experience new places. A feature film version of the New York Times best seller, where Gilbert experiences Italy through taste (eat), explores her spirituality in India  (pray), and learns to harmonize the two in Indonesia (love), is set for release later this summer, starring Julia Roberts.

With 10+ tours to or including Italy, Collette celebrates the art, architecture, food and wine of this beloved country. For travelers venturing to the romantic country, it’s a true experience in culture. Watching a Sicilian farmer make ricotta cheese; sitting with a Sicilian baron and his family in their 18th century winery nestled in the Licata countryside – these are experiences that are once-in-a-lifetime, and really put the ‘travel’ in traveler.

Collette’s Mysteries of India  tour allows you to discover more than 2,000 years of history in 15-days. Here, Gilbert explored her spiritual side, and Collette’s tour visits some of the country’s most sacred and extraordinary sites, including Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in the country, and the 16^th century Jagdish Temple, the largest temple in Udaipur. Take an early morning boat ride on the holy River Ganges, past various Ghats where you’ll see people ritually cleansing themselves of their sins. Relax in a yoga class led by a local expert and visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, riding a tonga–or horse carriage–to the gates.

As Gilbert shows in her famed book, traveling the world is a life-changing experience. It thrills the senses. It transforms the traveler. These journeys – every one of them – stay with you forever.

1. Many Americans who dream of traveling to Australia and New Zealand have shied away because of the high cost of airfare. But there’s good news…flights to Australia have become more affordable since the economic downturn. However, many travel experts are predicting a surge in airfares in the near future. …the time to go is now.
2. When Collette priced its South Pacific tours for the 2010/2011 season, the exchange rate was $.65 AUD for $1 USD. Currently, we are looking at $.90 AUD for $1 USD representing a 38% increase in costs just in currency. Rates are locked in through May 2011 but will in all likelihood increase in 2011/2012 due to macro-economic factors beyond our control.  …the time to go is now.
3. Sydney is a fabulous city for first-time visitors to Australia. The weather is pleasant nearly year round, and Australian icons from the Sydney Harbor Bridge to the Sydney Opera House make for an unforgettable vacation. Every one of our tours to Australia features beautiful Sydney.  …the time to go is now.
4. Rotorua and the North Island of New Zealand are featured on Collette’s Complete South Pacific, Journey to the South Pacific, and Exploring New Zealand tours. Here travelers will experience how the Maori keep their customs alive teaching tribal youth traditional weaving, carving and dancing. …the time to go is now.
5. Already been to Napa Valley and have a month to spare? Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures Great Trains, Wineries & Cultures of Australia & New Zealand is a 29-day adventure that includes an overnight journey on the legendary Ghan. Tastings and teachings by wine experts in the Barossa Valley highlight Australia’s best-known wine region and South Australia’s most visited tourist destination. Experience it before it gets too glamorized. Plus, book this tour by April 30th and save on air-inclusive bookings! …the time to go is now.