All Blog Posts (716)

A month ago, I set out on a one-week cruise of Turkey's southwest coast and the Dodecanese Islands of Greece. It was even better than I'd expected. 

I had the good fortune to sail with Untourists Ted and Rose McKenna who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. We were joined by an amiable group of 16 Australians, 2 other Americans, 2 women from Spain, and 1 gentleman from Germany. By the end of the week, we felt like one big family.

The crew was fantastic, especially…

We're departing for Italy tomorrow. Though we are not traveling with Untours this time, we are staying in rental apartments. Since our trip will include the Untours cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice, I'm going to try to blog about it as we go.

I'm getting so sleep deprived getting everything ready both at home and at work that I'm just going to crash tomorrow on the plane.

My next update should be from Turin ...

My wife and I have just returned from two week stay in Nafplio, Greece.  Excellent apartment and local host.

More importantly, I would like to assure those considering the trip that Greece IS SAFE.   

We traveled extensively in the Peloponnesse and at no time did we fell at all uncomfortable.  The people we met were as accomadating as we could have possibly wished.  Athens is a big city and requires the same kind of awareness as a trip to Philadelphia so go and enjoy.

Saturday - September 10

Today we are off to Florence.  We got to the car rental place in Chiusi without any problems and turned in the car.  The manager gave us a ride to the train station and we settled in for about a 45 minute wait.  We hadn't eaten breakfast so we had some apple croissants and ice tea for me and cappuccino for Dick.  The train left at 10:00 A.M. and it was about an hour and 20 minute ride.  We had bought our tickets before leaving home, but…

Wednesday - September 7

The vineyard alongside the farm where we were staying is

not owned by Alex. The owners will not be picking for a

couple more weeks, but…

Sunday - September 4

As a rule, Dick and I much prefer to travel on our own, at our own pace, and on our own schedule.  We don't want to be on a tour that tells us what time to meet, what time to eat, and what time to leave the museum or interesting sight.  Having said that, at the end of today my email to friends and family was, "Oh, to be on a tour where they drop you off at the door and take care of all your needs."

The family from Venezuela…

Thursday - September 1

It's another hot day today.…

Am trying to put together a trip to St Goar, Germany with 2 14 year old granddaughters late June, 2012.  Is there enough to keep them interested

If you received our recipe mailer earlier this year, then hopefully you can relate to Sherry Chiger's experience with it! Here's the piece she wrote about it - http://bit.ly/tzBy7b.

Didn't get a recipe mailer? Email marketing.director@untours.com with your name and address and we'll get one out to you!

Tuesday - August 30

We started the day with a some hand laundry and a quick trip to the grocery store and drug store.  Dick somehow lost some of his prescription medicine.  Not to fear.  He explained what he needed and he got enough to last him the rest of the trip - and for only 2 euros. 

We had a good chat with Alex about our plans for the day and he gave us his usual map directions, restaurant recommendations and what…

Sunday - August 28

We decided to hang around Montipulciano today because of there was a Festival in the late afternoon and we didn't want to miss that. We spent the afternoon walking the streets, shopping (I found a couple of neat plates that I purchased, as well as a hat to keep the sun off my head), people watching and feeling the air of excitement building. The medieval city of Montipulciano was divided into contrade…

Wednesday - August 24, 2011

We arrived in Rome around 8:00am after an uneventful flight from Chicago. However, we flew Alitalia and I would think the Italian airline attendants would be embarrassed to be serving the pasta they served. After collecting our bags and taking a taxi into town we came to Hotel Nerva, our home for the next three days.  The room was not ready yet, so we took a walk around the neighborhood and stopped for an ice…

The Huffington Post just ran an article on travel companies that do good for their communities and the world. And, Untours was prominently featured in it! Check out the article here.

Matt Lauer of the Today Show was on the Jungfraujoch today.  For some great shots of the alps and interesting segments on Switzerland take a look at this link.

It is our last full day in Quebec.  Still damp with on and off showers.  We head off to visit the Musee de la Civilisation which is in the Lower Old Town and is the most popular museum in Quebec City.  At present there is a temporary exhibit regarding the City of Rome.  While it sounds interesting, our focus here is to learn about Canada by viewing several of the permanent exhibits.  "People of Quebec....Then and Now", covers from the beginning of the fur trading colony to the movement for…

Would you suggest one of the properties to stay in Provence?  Planning on going in Oct 2012

Museums.........Since the beginning of the week, local forecasters had predicted that the last two days we would have in Quebec would be rainy.  They were correct!  With that thought in mind we had saved our museum passes for the inclement weather.  It was a short walk to the first museum and armed with umbrellas and our raincoats we headed down Rue St Jean.

 …

Our very own Cathrin Baumbach is just back from Nafplio and Athens.  If you'd like to chat with her about how things feel "on the ground," please give her a call.  1-888-868-6871 x2010.

(We actually have two other staff persons in Nafplio at the moment as well: Sue and Marilee.  Word is they don't want to leave...)

Ile D' Orleans.......A bright sunny day and we have decided this would be a great day to visit Ile D' Orleans.  Situated about 3 miles down river from Quebec, the island is 20 1/2 miles long and 4 1/2 miles at it's widest point.  In 1970, the entire island was designated as a historical borough.  Eighteen (18) of the three thousand six hundred (3,600) buildings on the island are designated historical monuments.  It has retained it's culture and charm because until 1935, the only way one…

Parc de la Chute-Montmorency        Today we are doing a group activity with our guide, Guy and the three other American couples we met on Sunday.  We are going to Montmorency Falls, about seven miles NE of Quebec.  We meet at the designated place and walk to the bus stop as we will be using the public transportation system to get there.  The weatherman has warned that there may be showers "on and off" showers today. We bring our umbrellas just in case.

It was an interesting bus ride…