Latest Travel Blog Entries

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Ingredients:

One can of high quality chick peas (fully drained and dried) (I like Goya)
1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Garlic (two medium cloves)
Salt and pepper

Heat large metal skillet (don’t use nonstick) and add oil on medium heat.  Brown garlic to infuse oil and discard garlic.

Add chick peas and toss till lightly browned.  They should start to pop in the oil like popcorn.  Add a little S & P and serve hot on small colorful plate (no fork necessary!) You can also add in a dash of cumin, dill or your other favorite spices.

Want to avoid fried food? Then take you can of chickpeas (rinsed and drained,) and add in 1 roma diced roma tomato, 1/2 green pepper, 1 small red onion finely chopped, 1/2 cup diced cucumbers, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tbls. fresh parsley, 2 tbls olive oil and the juice of 1 lemon.  Chill & serve as a refreshing salad.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Discover the places you’ve always longed to see. Marvel at each country’s historic icons and scenic panoramas.  England, Ireland and Northern Ireland, while home to perhaps the most trend-setting and international of European cities, also have some of the most beautiful countryside on earth.  In Italy, you can see more than 2,000 years of history within one city, witness the genius of Michelangelo and DaVinci or visit an enchanting island city that defies reason.  France shares with us the pleasures of life: excellent wines, awe-inspiring art and sumptuous food. Germany zooms ahead along its Autobahn, but stops long enough to raise a stein, sing a song and welcome the world.  The Netherlands, with one wooden shoe in its charming past and the other in the innovative future, continues to enchant visitors with its iconic windmills, tulips and canals.

We welcome you to research European Travel Package by destination, or by clicking on our preferred travel partners. You’ll find a selection of tours, cruises, vacations and rail packages.

Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:

Atlas Cruises & Tours| Christmas Market Tours | England Tours | Escorted Family Vacations | France Tours | Greece Tours| Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | Luxury Tour |Oberammergau | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | Spain Tours

Friday, February 12, 2010

No Matter where you travel, it’s always best to understand a little of the language, manners and customs of your host country in order to be polite and respectful to the locals. A few of these hints and tips may help you out as you tour through Greece while it’s also helpful to know a little Greek.

Tour managers live and work in Europe full time and are also on hand to help you out throughout your tour.

• Although you will see and hear the Greek language everywhere (still written in the same characters developed by the ancients 1000’s of years ago) nearly everyone speaks English, if they don’t, like everything else, it doesn’t matter, the locals are always friendly and ready to help.
• Greece is a country of islands and the Greeks have a deep affiliation with the sea while their economy is built on shipping and trade (made most famous by Aristotle Onassis). It’s almost impossible to get around the country without using boats and ferries, an experience that must be had.
• The Greeks have a super relaxed and casual attitude towards life. Time means very little and most of the country operates on ‘Greek time’.
• Family, food, and dancing are very important
• Tipping of around 10% is considered polite

Sunday, January 31, 2010

As you get ready to travel?

Here are some tips to give you peace of mind while you are away and make sure you do not make your house as a target of opportunity. These are some simple precautions from the experts.

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Iráklion, the capital city of Crete, rests on the side of a hill overlooking the Cretan Sea. The city is named after Hercules (Herakles, or in Modern Greek, Iraklís). Though a bustling metropolis, Iráklion is also the gateway to the nearby stunning ancient ruins of advanced civilizations. Bask on the glorious north coast beaches, socialize and people-watch in the cafés and restaurants of Platía Venizélou (Fountain Square), discover Crete's astonishing Minoan sites, and more. An abundance of new adventures are waiting for you.

Knossos Palace is one of the most spectacular of Crete's Minoan sites. The Minoan civilization flourished in Crete during the Bronze Age, around 3000 to 1100 BC. The palace has been linked to the mythological King Minos, the labyrinth and the Minotaur, and the story of Daedalus and Icarus. Excavations have further revealed the astounding palace, villas, roads, columns, courtyards, temples and theater.