Newsletter Autumn 2004
Introduction
Small Groups.
With no end in sight of the weak US dollar, many regular travellers are making very good savings by forming small groups of between 15 to 30 in number. Parties of this size get good discounts. One 'party' during 2004 went the 'whole hog' and put together a team of 35 family and friends and was able to spend two weeks in France without breaking the bank. But it does require somewhat earlier planning than for a party of up to six. It really is worth thinking about (I heard one pessimist 'expert' today on the radio, predict a further 50% fall in the international value of the dollar).
Tours in Preparation.
In addition to the usual favourites of Stately homes and Gardens, Literary Trails, British History and Pageantry. Some of the tours at present in preparation for our friends in 2005 are:
A Singing Tour of European capitals
The Enigma of the megalithic stones of Britain & France
Art History in Italy and Spain
England's Sublime South West
The Battlefields of two World Wars in NW Europe
The Celtic World of Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
Venice
"Streets Flooded – Please Advise." Telegram from Robert Benchley (1889-1945)
What can be said about La Serenissima that has not been said before? "Why Venice?" asked a friend before our latest visit. The only answer that I could give him was that Venice is the most beautiful city in the world and is truly unique. So a few random thoughts: If it is your first visit do take a water taxi from the airport (Marco Polo). It is more than worth the cost (from E80): Don't be disturbed by the crowds at The Rialto Bridge or Piazza S Marco - tranquillity can be found elsewhere: You already know about Harry's Bar, Cipriani's and Florians but find your way to Enoteca Cantinone Gia Schiavi for a fascinating drink (ask for the Fragolino Bianco) and to La Corte Sconta for an astonishing seafood experience: Try to get to the island of Torcello if only to see the frescos in the earliest Byzantine basilica of the Lagoon (AD 639) and while there don't miss the Locanda Cipriani, one of the most delightful restaurants in all Italy.
Venice is easily handled: the vaporetti (water buses) are a cinch. The gondolas are a "rip off" used only by rather perplexed Japanese tourists. The water can catch you unawares when it rises particularly in the Autumn (Fall) and the Winter so, if possible, bring Wellington boots and listen out for the warning sirens.
A few useful addresses; "Gia Schiavi" Dorsoduro, San Trovaso 992, then close by, is a good and inexpensive tratorria "Ai Cugnai" at Dorsoduro San Vio 857. You don't need me to tell you where to find Harry's Bar et al but you do need a steer to find "La Corte Sconta" which is at Castello 3886, Calle del Pestrin.
And I haven't even mentioned the Art (Titian, Veronese, Canaletto, Tiepolo, Tintoretto, & Carpaccio just a few of the multitude to be found there) or the Architecture (Palladio, Rizzo, etc etc).
Just go, explore and get joyously lost (it won't be for too long). OK OK, so I have said nothing about Padua barely 20 miles from Venice. Next time perhaps - but to whet your appetite: The Giotto frescoes in the Scrovegni chapel (some say Italy's greatest art treasure), the Basilica of St Anthony and the University of Galileo and Petrarch. Much older than Venice, tracing its foundation to 2 BC, the city's centre is network of narrow medieval and Renaissance streets. It will come as no surprise to find that Andrea Palladio was born here.
And if you love it as we do please help by joining 'Venice in Peril' (www.veniceinperil.org).
Bleriot to the Blackbird
A recent trip with an aircraft "buff" is worth considering as a one day tour from London. First stop is the brilliant Shuttleworth Collection (www.shuttleworth.org) of veteran and classic aircraft located at Old Warden grass airfield near Biggleswade about an hour and a bit to the north of London.
Among many astonishing and beautiful aircraft is Blériot's monoplane built in 1909 and still regularly flown. For a real treat go on a flying day and smell the castor oil fuel of these ancient flying machines as they chug their gravity defying way into the air. Then on the 20 or so miles to the Imperial War Museum's aircraft collection at the former WW II air station at Duxford (duxford.iwm.org.uk) outside Cambridge. In addition to just about every WW II and subsequent British aircraft, there is a magnificent modern glass-walled hangar holding a staggering collection of US aircraft. The central exhibit here is a massive B 52 alongside which is a Blackbird (SR 71) which was capable of 3000+ mph in flight. Some Cookie!
The day should be rounded off with a stop at the American War Cemetery at nearby Madingley where the names of nearly 9000 Americans are commemorated, men and women who lost their lives during the 39/45 war while stationed in or operating from the United Kingdom. There are 3812 burials and among the 5127 who have no known graves, are the names of Joseph Kennedy jnr, the brother of JFK and the sublime Glenn Miller.
Christmas and New Year
More and more visitors come each year to enjoy this particular holiday season in Britain. Christmas is a very quiet time in London so the wise visitor will head for a comfortable country house style hotel in the rural shires for Christmas itself. It's fun! I can assure you. Then head for London, Edinburgh or Dublin for the New Year festivities (Hogmanay in Scotland). I kid you not, that is the way to do it. Where to stay? Just ask me, but in good time please.
Normandy 60th (6 June 2004)
This year saw probably the last official commemoration of the D-Day landings of 1944; it is clear that interest is very far from waning. We at Liberty Road (www.libertyroad.com) had two coach loads, veterans, family and friends of the US 90th Division. One coach was a complete family group headed by the Colonel Ed Hamilton whose trail we followed from UTAH Beach across France to Metz on the German border where Ed was severely wounded.
Already tours to Normandy to Paris and across France and Belgium are in preparation for a number of occasions in 2005. If you wish to visit the D-Day locations during early June please do not delay in making your reservations with us.
Come with us and visit: The D-Day locations, Reims where the final surrender was signed, The Ardennes and the battle of the Bulge, Immortal Bastogne, The Siegfried Line and on to the final act in Berlin.
Vineyards and Great Tables
Some may recall the glittering 'Installation', wine tasting and sumptuous dinner which we attended a couple of years ago at Le Clos de Vougeot in the Burgundy wine region. I have been asked to set up another one for next May. There may be up to six places on offer so if you are interested please contact me as soon as possible. It is also likely that we will be able to offer places at other prestige wine and gastro events in France, Germany and in Spain, but do please give me a good six months lead time for these.
Cork European City of Culture 2005
Ok don't say that I did not tell you. Book early all you enthusiasts of Ireland's green and (very) pleasant land.
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