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Must Words for Thanksgiving in Italy
We still have space on our Rome, Naples, Amalfi Coast Thanksgiving extravaganza Be prepared with some Italian words:
Turkey Tacchino…. and here is why it tastes better in Italy:
Chestnuts Castagna Chestnuts have a long history in Italy. Homer and Pliny both mentioned them. Chestnuts have bee a staple for both aristocrats and peasants all over Italy where they are still roasted in a ceramic container over the fire.
Pumpkin Zucca Pumpkin is cooked so beautifully in Italy, filling ravioli, risotto, pasta with pumpkin and bacon, gnocchi and even in bread.…
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Is Naples Scary or Scrumptious
Safety and Mafia are Naples brand to many. But act smart as you would anywhere and enjoy these surprises on our Thanksgiving trip: Rome-Naples-Amalfi Coast.
Naples is the Holy Grail of pizza. Did you know the Margarita Pizza was designed as the first pizza presented to the Queen of Italy in 1889. Red, white and green are the national colors.
Naples’ pizza restaurants have a certificate of authenticity approved by an official committee.
Many carved nativity scenes come from Naples which has been called Christmas all year around.…
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What Phyllis Learned on Vacation
Just returned from my personal vacation, and here is what I learned:
The world is still traveling. And tourist sites are full of happy, unworried travelers. Airports are as busy, flights fairly full. Families smiling and excited about their vacations.
You will notice that immigration is slower and more thorough on both ends. There is the obvious, customs employees are also on family vacations. There is the newsworthy, they are being careful and methodical. There is the season, summer is peak which is why our group trips are mainly off season.…
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Facebook Criticism re: Womens Thanksgiving Trip
Yesterday we stated that going away for Thanksgiving was good for those of us with no family or uncomfortable holiday memories. Facebook comments were: You should be with your family. We should not write that some families can be nasty.
The reality is many women of our age do NOT have family. That we want to escape the sad memory of lost husbands and friends during Holidays. Many feel they are a third wheel each year in a friend’s home.
Lets celebrate in whatever fashion is right for each of us.…
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Why vacation over Thanksgiving?
The Women’s Travel Group offers both Christmas and Thanksgiving vacations. This year, 2016 we are going to the magnificent Amalfi Coast and Rome for Thanksgiving and Morocco for Christmas.
Thanksgiving evokes memories of warm families and of nasty families, of lost ones and of distant ones. Being geographically away from your life eases the good and bad memories.
For many of us, Thanksgiving is the beginning of a string of memories which culminate on Dec 31. Going away cuts that string and opens your mind and heart to new adventures which have no blemishes.…
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Saving Seats in Airports for Mystery People?
Accept temporary TSA delays. Here is what really has to change: the behavior of fellow passengers. And your reaction…
Stop saving seats for mystery people. Tell the saver, you will sit there until the mystery person comes back.
Don’t talk on the phone in bathroom stalls. Knock on the stall door and alert them.
Don’t leave a 100% charged device in the shared electrical plug. Find the owner and tell them you are replacing it with yours.
Drop trash in the bin, not on the adjacent table.…
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How does WTravel Group travel?
Some times in a rickshaw? Today a woman asked what vehicles do we use? Easy answer: it depends on the group size and the terrain we are covering. Here are a few examples: Small group, short distances: usually a 15-21 seater bus still with some empty seats. That is what we use in Tuscany and Ireland, a 17 seater for 8 women plus guide and driver. Long distance: almost always a larger bus, with air conditioning, and very comfortable seats.… -
Use GGIIMMPP in your hotel room
Travel tips from The Women’s Travel Group:
Numero uno is the adapter you left in the bathroom wall. You took the phone but left the adaptor. Numero 2 is your washcloth. You packed it, because most non Americans do not use washclothes. Now it is left hanging in the shower.
Then your pajamas, not totally your fault but if you leave your night clothes on an unmade bed. they can disappear into the laundry.
You forgot the amenities for a ‘rainy day’, as you were waiting to see if you could cram more into your suitcase.…
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Italy in the Spring: NYTimes 36 Hours in Rome
This is the 2014 Tuscany Cooking Group, soon off again to Pisa for our week of fun. Stay tuned for next year’s date.
Many of The Women’s Travel Group trips are arranged so solo women can easily connect with the group if not flying with a friend or one of us. March 8 produced another terrific article about Rome where we start our Sweep Through Italy trip April 29-May 10 2015.
Yes, some women will arrive in Rome a day or two before the group, so here goes some of the newer Rome sights: MAXXI by Zaha Hadid, where the building even moves as you do, slanted floors and art made from lights/string/google users and more.…
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Too Nervous to Travel?
Can travel be fun for Nervous Nellies? Yes for some. No for others. Let’s face it, some women just do better in their environment and home. Others yearn to travel but are scared of flying? Being a solo but in a group? Not being understood? Concerned about jet lag? About unusual food? and Yes about toilet access.
Food and toilets are specifically women’s concerns. Food worries us since we are diet conscious and these days have more allergies: gluten, sugar, seeds, eggs, peanuts… Asking for a specific diet is as easy as forewarning our staff at The Women’s Travel Group.…
