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Greetings, As always, a warm welcome to recent subscribers to our monthly read. I write to provide you a bit of dream time from your day's routines and hope that, as you read our newsletter, you will immerse your mind in places both near and far. Sorry the September newsletter is a bit off schedule. You will receive your October newsletter mid month as usual.
The newsletters aim to convey my life long love of traveling and to inspire you to travel whether it is with your first passport or one that has stamps from around the world. Traveling with Serendipity Traveler, you will appreciate the choices where experience and passion for travel influence the decisions and details for the trips I offer to you. Please share our newsletter with other women who enjoy travel, culture, and fine dining and who wish to discover the lesser known gems of a region as much as you may.
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California
 Laura Bly, a travel writer for USA Today, has just run an informative article on this being the best time to visit Big Sur and the California Coast. Sure enough, we have a trip scheduled and reservations are now closed. If you missed fall try January. A local she interviewed replied, "anytime is a wonderful time to be in Big Sur" and I heartily concur. Autumn and early winter is fog free, rain free and most idyllic. In the northeast, we call it sweater weather - warm sunny days and cooler nights which are ideal for relaxing, walking the beach, strolling the galleries, sipping wine and exploring. Our next trip to California will be in early January following our California golfing weekend. The dates are January 17-23, 2009, my most favorite time of year to visit this region.
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Answers to Questions Do most women travel alone or come with a friend?
Most women who travel with us do come on their own.
What is the age of the women who travel?
Your spirit is ageless...our women travelers are ages 30-83! Most important is a positive and curious attitude - people who like people.
Do I need a passport to travel with you?
For all trips, except within the USA, you now need a passport if you are flying in and out of the country .
Are there guides for each trip?
Yes, we hire caring and thoughtful expert local guides for specific events, e.g. hiking, historical tours, wine tasting, cooking classes, garden guides, etc. I accompany each trip as well.
Is this a lesbian travel company?
No, we are not a lesbian travel company. We welcome all women to travel with us.
I like to shop. Are there times for that?
Certainly. Although shopping is not a major focus, we all tend to like to browse and shop while traveling. There is plenty of time for wandering on your own and finding great treasures from your trip. From local art, to fine craft to Italian shoes, silk shawls, herbs de provence, we always find lots to bring home.
Is there a lot of walking?
Some trips have more walking than others and that would be noted. Generally, if you are active and in good health you will be fine. Call me if you aren't quite sure.
I prefer a single room. Are they available?
Yes, you can reserve a private room which many women prefer.
What kind of hotels do you use?
We carefully choose our accommodations based on each trips perspectives. Location and comfort are two of our most critical standards. Over the top is not necessary, however ambience, service, style and amenities are important to me. I prefer a distinctive small hotel to chains. Our choice of accommodations differentiates us from other women's travel companies.
What about meals?
We generally include a continental breakfast, a few lunches and two or three dinners. Food is an important part of the traveling experience and we aim to offer you a smattering Of the local best. On our English Garden tour we have a favorite Michelin Star restaurant For our last evening together. In Wyoming it's the renowned local restaurant that everyone comes back to. I prefer chef owned, smaller dining places and eating freshly prepared quality
local food.
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I have addressed the "when" of travel in an earlier newsletter. As I read the hurricane reports of tourists fleeing Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, I want to note, the when to travel is just as important as the where. If you were in the Caribbean as flights were cancelled, torrential rains were falling and winds howling, I'm sure you would have vacation memories and a story to share but possibly not the kind of traveler's tale you were wishing for. We imagine your time and resources for travel are precious so why not plan to optimize both. We offer you excellent choices in travel, sensitive to the investment of your time and finances. Serendipity Traveler trips depart at the best possible times of year for the destination, providing excellent value for your precious time and travel funds. We won't take you to Asia in monsoon season. No one can predict the weather. However, we know the seasons to watch around the globe and we plan our travels accordingly. That is one difference of traveling with a company who's first hand experience assures traveling well.
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Spa Treatments Daily
Sorting through my magazine basket on a drizzly day this summer, I came across an old July, 2007 issue of Conde Naste Traveler which had a grand feature on Jungle Bay in Dominica. Jungle Bay, where we stay, is a comfortable new rustic luxe eco sensitive resort with cottages perched on the cliffside overlooking the sea in the midst of a tropical rainforest featuring fresh pineapples every morning, total comfort, a volcanic swimming pool, the sound of the sea and expert led hikes for all levels including the most adventuresome as well as optional morning yoga. You can choose to do as much or as little as you wish. We strive to make this a pure bliss break for you by including a spa treatment of your choice each day. Dominica is not as easy to get to now that American Airlines has altered its schedules so if you are seriously interested in joining us in Dominica this November, air arrangements and your reservation need to happen ASAP. Serendipity Traveler is not a mass market women's travel company.
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Explorations in Wellbeing
This summer, I had the privilege of leading a privately guided custom walking trip for one of America's top 100 cardiologists. I am sure you've heard, we all need to walk 10,000 steps a day. The good news is the average active person walks 5,000 steps each day. We are half way there! This client was a most interesting woman and we are going to collaborate on a heart wellness feature in an upcoming newsletter. Trained at Harvard, she has a wealth of information and inspiration on heart wellness. I am working on the plans for our annual Explorations in Wellbeing trip which, of course will be held in an idyllic destination and will include optional Serendipity Traveler workshops for your enrichment and, needless to say, walking 10,000 steps a day.
Details coming soon.
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Inspiration
"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt
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Life is Short Travel Well!
Peggy
Serendipity Traveler |
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