Trulli Puglia

We are announcing a new trip  - one to Puglia, leaving September 28 and returning October 10, 2012.  It will be led by Augustino Di Bari, a native of Fasano in Puglia, which is the shoe part of the Italian boot.  Here are some pictures to entice you.  Details are on the website.


Castel Monte, an old octagonal fortress

One  of the many trulli (plural of trullo), the quite unique cone-roofed buildings throughout Puglia, but especially prevalent in Alberobello.













 Polignano sul Mare.


















Masseria Il Trappeto, our home away from home.  Looks inviting, doesn't it?

Joan's Travel Tips No. 21 and 22.

1.    21.   Remember that 1 kilometer equals 0.6 US or English mile.  In comparison to the English standard therefore, distances will be shorter than expected, unless you’ve been walking for hours.

2.    22.   Remember that the Euro has been worth more than the US Dollar for many years now.  That translates to a higher dollar outlay.

Joan's Travel Tips No. 19 and 20.

1.    19.    Most hotels and even bigger B&B’s in Italy have hairdryers in the rooms.  (One less thing to pack.)  

2.    20.   Most hotels and B&B’s in Italy have WiFi – some have a stronger signal than others.  However, in Italy the internet and telephones go out frequently, depending upon location, from bad weather or just because.  It’s an accepted fact of life.

Joan's Travel Tips No. 17 and 18.

1.       17.   OK, some of the important money and medical stuff is over, until I think of more.  Next most important:  WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES.  Cobblestones can be hard on your feet, especially in 4” high heels or something analogous.  ( I read recently that the  Italian woman have the walking in skinny, skinny high heels mastered on cobblestones because they put their weight on the ball of their feet, not on the heel:  that's the secret.)

18.  Europe uses 220 voltage and plugs vary from country to country. There's not euro-plug yet. You can buy adapters at a place like Radio Shack or through travel-supply catalogs.

Gift Certificates and More.

Did you know that gift certificates are available for any trip?

Right now the euro exchange is pretty favorable to Americans travelling in Europe.  So, book a trip now!

Cedric Picard's Provence

Here are some photos of Provence, taken by Cedric.   You can see the real thing on his French Paradox trips, either in April or  October 2012.  

 

 

Joan's Travel Tip No. 16

1.      16.  Keep the name and phone number of an at-home contact person on your person at all times.