South America’s Switzerland: Five Reasons You Shouldn’t Miss Uruguay

When we told our friends and family we were shipping off to Uruguay for 4 months, "Huh? Where's Uruguay?" was the typical response. Let's face it. At least for now, Uruguay probably isn't on most people’s hot list of places to go. In our own case, we didn't know a single other person who'd traveled to this second smallest South American country with heavy European influences. But after our visit, we know it won’t stay a secret for long…

What made us choose Uruguay? My partner Stuart and I like a good adventure, and we jumped at the chance to venture there after reading several intriguing articles about the country. Mention of wine, gauchos, beaches, and good food were all big reasons for our decision to go. And we weren’t disappointed. Here are five reasons we give Uruguay the travel thumbs ups:

1. Low under the radar

Uruguay is usually not on the A list of places to visit… yet. At the time of my writing, even Lonely Planet didn’t offer a separate guidebook on Uruguay. Instead, a section on Uruguay is included in the book about Argentina. Destinations off the beaten tourist path always have great appeal to us, and we loved this country of Spanish and Portuguese flavors.

Thinking of driving? Here’s a note to drivers: except for the main roads crossing the country, most roads here are not surfaced. If you like off-road driving, however, Uruguay is the perfect place. Just don't expect many of the roads to show up on local maps. If a low-key culture full of surprises is your kind of vacation, then Uruguay’s for you. Experience gaucho culture in an authentic setting which is still unspoiled. Then there's mile after mile of beautiful countryside with hardly a house in sight. Relax on beaches where it's just you, the sea, and the sand.

2. The hospitable people

The Uruguayan people are up there with the best. They're warm, kind, friendly, and proud of their land. They'll do their best to help you in any way. Develop a relationship with Uruguayans. Just ask them about their centuries’ old culture and colorful history. As a matter of fact, strike up a conversation with Uruguayans, and they’ll probably tell you their country is home to superior healthcare and high quality wines. They’ll tip you off about the delicious Uruguayan beef, not to mention the country’s top-notch beaches. You’ll learn that Uruguay’s government is said to be the most honest in all of South America.

3. Personal safety usually not an issue

Uruguay has been called one of the world’s safest, most stable countries. As in any large city worldwide, Montevideo has its petty street crime areas, largely pickpockets. Generally, however, you're far safer in Uruguay than you would be just about anywhere. Of course, use common sense as you would at home. Don't do anything to make yourself conspicuous as a visitor.

4. Quality wines at great prices

A visit to a bodega (vineyard) in Uruguay is a fantastic way not only to taste superb wines, but also to see the winemaking process behind them. The vineyards are mostly small compared to operations in larger countries, and we think this is part of the draw. Chat with the owner and learn the history of the vineyard you’re visiting. Enjoy the local wine, especially that made from the Tannat grape for which Uruguay is deservedly famous. Want to take a bottle or two home with you? You can buy tasty reservas for around US$22 per bottle.

5. Galloping gaucho culture

The gaucho “cowboy” culture is what makes Uruguay even more attractive for travelers. What better way to take it in than on a traditional ranch? Go for an all-out luxury experience or roll up your sleeves and work side-by-side with the gauchos. You'll to learn to ride gaucho style, herd cows, or brand calves. For the more adventurous, you might even help with (errr…) worming sheep.

As a welcome bonus, unlike countries such as Argentina, where you’re hit with a US $140 visitors' tax on arrival, Uruguay has no visitors' tax. If you have a U.S., U.K., Canada, or New Zealand passport, that's all you need as a visitor to Uruguay for tourist stays up to 90 days. Almost every place you go in the country, the nature beauty will seduce you, and the friendly people will welcome you. Don’t miss this South American gem. Visit Uruguay! Feliz viaje!

~A guest post by Honor Dargan

Honor Dargan is a UK travel writer who fell in love with Tokyo and relocated there in 2001. Discover great travel destinations with Honor. Follow her on Twitter: @tokyotopia


If You Go:
http://www.tryuruguay.com
http://www.visit-uruguay.com/home.aspx

New State Dept. Proposal Could Limit U.S. Passports

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE US STATE DEPARTMENT:

I was aghast to hear there is a possibility your office will require irrelevant personal data from U.S. passport applicants via the proposed new government Form DS-5513. The entire concept strikes me as an excuse to start a U.S. citizen future tracking system for all those applying for U.S. Passports. It is without question a bad, bad idea with major, adverse implications. How could your agency restrict or deny the right to travel freely outside our country to any American citizens who decide NOT to release such confidential information to you?

Why would your office need lifetime employment history details, information about a passport applicant's siblings, religion, the mother's address prior to an applicant's birth, etc. before granting a citizen of our country a rightful passport? The scrutiny of overseas-born persons applying to become naturalized American citizens is one thing, but forcing a law-abiding U.S. citizen to provide irrelevant data on a passport application is unreasonable. Such a practice reminds me almost of the bygone Iron Curtain era. Travel is one of our most precious freedoms as citizens, and passports are our right.

Future U.S. passport applicants are applying for passports in order to TRAVEL out of our country. Their American passport applications have nothing to do with the top secret security clearance paperwork regularly required for sensitive government positions. Our country already has the western world's lowest rate of passport holders. If your office creates additional hurdles for U.S. passport applicants by implementing Form DS-5513, I am convinced it would be an improper use of your power as our federal passport agency.

Hindering international tourism is not the U.S. State Department's role. Imagine the likely impact on our own nation's commerce if other governments worldwide followed suit with their own version of DS-5513. What would be the economic effect on inbound U.S. tourism if, for example, European or Asian travelers were required to release such confidential information to their own passport offices before their documents were processed? As someone employed in the vital travel and tourism industry here in the U.S.A., I strongly doubt any of my stateside industry colleagues would support your proposal for Form DS-5513.

I urge you to throw out this ill-conceived proposal and focus your attentions on your real mission. Restricting our travel options and breaching U.S. citizens' confidentiality are out of line, and quite frankly, I am shocked to learn you are even considering Form DS-5513....If governments around the world choose to place restrictions on which travelers can enter their countries freely, that is the prerogative of those governments. It is neither the State Department's responsibility nor right to impede an honest, law-abiding U.S. citizen's travel on the planet we share.

Sincerely,
Ann Lombardi
Tour guide, travel agent, U.S. voter, and long-time traveler

***ATTENTION U.S. Readers: April 25th (today) is the last day to voice your thoughts on passport Form DS-5513. Send an email now to: GarciaAA@state.gov

Only 7 Days Left to Win Your Dream Trip Worth $10K!

Hope your week is off to a great start, but hey! Wouldn't it be amazing to score really big by the end of the month? Travel dreams do come true; it could happen to you....if you win the Sony $10K Getaway Giveaway to the dream destination of your choice! But don't put off writing us your virtual postcard. You don't have much time left to enter. Keep reading...

Imagine you're on your dream vacation and you're writing us a postcard from that special destination. In your card, share where you are and what you're reading. Then have some fun describing all the great things you're enjoying on your fabulous vacation. Make us green with envy. We'd love it if one of OUR readers snagged this grand prize. But remember: the contest deadline is Tuesday April 19th, only one week from today! So go ahead and fill out the entry form on the pink, black, and white Sony widget above this post. Include your information as well as your English language essay in 400 words or less. In the meantime, we'll be crossing our fingers for you. Good luck and happy travels!

~Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell
The Trip Chicks®

Travel Dreams Will Come True! It Could Happen to You...

If you're the lucky winner of the Sony® Reader™ $10K Getaway Giveaway! What's top on your bucket list? Dreaming of Antarctica, Thailand, Peru, or Switzerland? Dying to experience Tanzania, Brazil, the Galapagos, Italy, Australia, Costa Rica or...? You could soon find yourself whisked away to a place great travel memories are made. We're partnering with Sony® to give you a chance to score a whopping $10,000 for your own dream vacation.

Just write us an online postcard imagining you're already visiting that once-in-a-lifetime getaway, and yes! Then you could be on your way to vacation magic. So don't delay! You know that vacation is long overdue. What better way to plan your escape than with a $10K travel expense budget, thanks to the generosity of the good folks at Sony®. You'll also snag a Reader Pocket Edition™ for you and a friend, plus a $100 Reader™ Store Gift Card. In addition, we’ll pick one person submitting an online postcard through The Trip Chicks® blog to win a Reader Pocket Edition and a $25 Reader Store card.

Now close your eyes and dream about an eye-popping destination long on your wish list. You may enter as often as you wish, but remember: each entry must be unique. Hurry! The contest ends on April 19, 2011, and a lucky winner'll be announced by May 1, 2011. Here's what else you need to know:

How to Enter

Entry Period: April 5 – April 19, 2011

Imagine you’re enjoying your dream vacation. It could be any place on the planet. Write us a creative postcard from that special destination. Tell us where you are and what you brought along with you to read. Share what cool things you’re up to there, what you're plan to do and see, and who's your lucky travel companion. Paint us a vivid picture. If you make us envious, you will have done your job!

Winner Selection

Voting period: April 20 – April 26, 2011

Visitors to www.readergetawaygiveaway.com will vote for their favorite entries one time per entry per day during the voting period

The person whose postcard receives the most public votes by April 26th on www.readergetawaygiveaway.com will be awarded the grand prize including:

•$10,000 travel stipend
•two Reader™ Pocket Editions
•$100 in Reader™ Store gift cards

Good luck! We hope you win one for The Trip Chicks®. Happy travels!

~Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

Jewel of the North: The Land of Ice and Fire

For a really unconventional getaway, treat yourself to Iceland, the "Northern Jewel of Europe," only a six-hour flight from Orlando. The Trip Chicks did, and discovered a surreal place of ice and steam, gurgling hot springs, rugged lava fields, and welcoming Nordic people.

Home to 40 percent of Iceland's 280,000 inhabitants, the delightfully uncongested capital Reykjavik boasts an appealing mix of city attractions, clean air, pristine natural sights, international cuisine, and hot night life. Our middle-aged intuition told us to forego the latter and concentrate instead on the low-key side of Reykjavik. An imposing downtown statue of beloved native son Leif Erikson, the first European to set foot on American soil 1,000 years ago, stands guard over this northernmost world capital. Nearby, the massive Hallgrims Lutheran Church stretches heavenward and on a clear day, offers a splendid 100-mile view.

Dorothea Larusdottir, our new Icelandic friend, led us through the narrow Reykjavik backstreets, along centuries-old houses topped with corrugated iron. There's not a tree in sight, we heard, because axe-wielding Vikings chopped down forests long ago and used the wood for fuel and mighty ships.

"Ann couldn't find you in the telephone book, Dorothea," Wendy said, as we ambled through the old town. Dorothea grinned, "Let me tell you about our Icelandic family name tradition." We passed a troop of proud parents toting their newly-baptized babies, pink-cheeked cherubs in flowing white gowns.

"My family name, 'Larusdottir,' translates as daughter of Larus," Dorothea explained. "My dad's first name is ‘Larus.’ Icelandic children take their father's first name for their last name and add either 'son' or 'daughter' at the end. So, my brother's family name is slightly different from mine because it has another ending." We were surprised to find out that names in Iceland are alphabetized in the phone directory by first names rather than by last.

Our stomachs were growling noisily as we headed to the busy indoor farmers' market. There we sampled Icelandic tastebud ticklers like dried fish, morsels of lamb, and an assortment of licorice, some creatively covered with coarse salt. Open-minded as we are about food, we felt somehow a tad suspicious when Dorothea steered us to her neighbor's fish stall. "Try these," she winked, handing us four dime-sized, unidentifiable beige chunks which were skewered on toothpicks. She giggled in rapid-fire Icelandic to her pal behind the fish stand.

A small group of curious shoppers soon gathered to watch the action. We quickly downed the mysterious, ammonia-smelling cubes, without a groan or grimace. "You both are now honorary Vikings!" cheered Dorothea, surprised at our hardy American stomachs. The crowd applauded our feat. It seems we had just eaten raw, fermented shark meat, which is covered with rocks in a deep hole for two months. Then it is hung to dry in a shed for another three or four. We politely took a rain check on the "Black Death," a bitter Icelandic schnapps said to be the perfect way to cap a shark meat snack.

The next day we peeked into shops with colorful Icelandic woolens and munched on more licorice. Then it was time to explore the most photographed site in all of Iceland: the Blue Lagoon. Sharing the 30-minute cab ride with a bubbly Norwegian woman we met by chance at lunch, our excitement grew as we drove by black lunar-like lava fields sprinkled with green moss.

Not far in the distance, we spotted that much-photographed plume of thick steam. Desperate to escape the frigid air after changing into our swimsuits, we raced from the lockers to the water and quickly took the plunge. Imagine swimming in a milky blue, mineral-rich lagoon, heated by geothermal energy more than 5,000 feet underground. The slippery warm water was exquisitely soothing. Scooping up chalky clay silt from underneath our feet, we slathered it over our faces like the natives do, hoping it quickly would work its magic so we could depart as beauty queens. Around us, happy tourists and locals alike splashed, relaxed and rejuvenated. Bundled up in their insulated red jackets, lifeguards in ski caps reminded us of the Icelandic version of a scene straight out of "Baywatch."

The next day our long-awaited "Golden Circle" tour beckoned. The 8-hour daytrip whisked us away by bus from the core of the city to the heart of inner Iceland. At Thingvellir National park, site of the world's first parliament in 930 A.D., we stood at the edge of a huge rift of tectonic plates, a dramatic valley dividing North America and Eurasia. A stone's throw away were the thundering Gullfoss waterfalls and a lively geyser, one of the country's most active hot springs. Every few minutes, boiling sulphur water exploded high into the air while awestruck tourists gasped at mother nature's display.

With stunning fjords, crackling glaciers, and energetic geysers, unspoiled Iceland is a nature-lover's dream. Yet we had barely scratched the surface of this European land so close to our shores. "Takk," Iceland, for your lingering warmth and beauty. We know we will return.


IF YOU GO: www.icetourist.is
www.goiceland.org

~by Wendy Swartzell & Ann Lombardi

The Trip Chicks®

An Incurable Bug

Last May over lunch in a busy Atlanta diner, the couple next to us made a startling confession. It'd been eight years since Rev. Brown and his wife had vacationed more than a long weekend. "The economy's in a slump, and we're really busy at the church," he sighed. In our country of chronic workaholics, the Browns certainly weren't alone. "One day...."

Can't remember the last time you enjoyed a real vacation? When did you sneak away for more than a couple days, without even calling into work or checking your emails? Maybe you've seen the figures. A recent study by Expedia.com found that almost 33% of Americans routinely forfeit part of their hard-earned vacation time. As a matter of fact, the U.S. has the highest lost vacation rate of any industrialized western nation.

Some of our fellow citizens are forgoing vacations altogether. Sobering too is proof that European medieval peasants took off more time than today's average working American! Sadly, the U.S.A. has not joined the list of countries mandating vacation time for the nation's work force. We need to fess up. America's national vacation deprivation syndrome is out of control. Our top mission in the new year? To encourage our overworked compatriots to catch a serious case of the travel bug.

No more excuses. Go away in 2011! A vacation is actually good for your health. Eye-popping travel deals abound and are yours to snag. Do it! Mark your calendar right away. Remind yourself you really deserve an escape. From now on, make your vacation a priority every year. While you're at it, plan to stay away at least one week. Really unplug. You'll come home a changed, rejuvenated person.

On his first getaway since 2003, Jack the attorney did. As we cycled along Dutch tulip fields at their glorious peak, he stopped to savor the rainbow of colors. Then he choked up. That afternoon he vowed never to lose vacation days again. When Jack returned to his practice, he emailed us that he had never felt more focused and productive in his life.

Still not convinced? A vacation is the sure cure for burnout; it's therapy for your heart, mind, and soul. There's plenty of scientific proof. Just ask Mel Borins M.D., author of Go Away Just for the Health of It. He says the lack of regular vacations is likely a contributing factor to America's rate of heart disease. Listen to Dr. Susan Biali, a physician who cites studies showing frequent vacationers often live longer than those who don't break away from life's routine. People who took "multiple vacations, up to five a year, had a 32% lower death rate from all causes," says Dr. Biali.

Back to the Browns and our chance meeting at the diner. Jotting down the name and phone number of the Swiss cousins she'd never met, the pastor's wife made us promise to call her relatives next time we were in Switzerland. We not only phoned family Knecht, but were invited to stay with them for three days. As we picnicked in a flower-studded alpine meadow, we raised our glasses to toast the Browns. We felt sure a Swiss dream holiday was soon in the works for them.

After returning to Atlanta, we made plans to meet the pastor and his wife in July. "We've gotten our passports and are ready to make our first trip across the big pond," gushed Mrs. Brown. "We're so excited, and we can't wait to hear all about Switzerland!" On July 11th we headed to the diner early to set up our laptop slide show. "Where's Mrs. Brown today?" Wendy asked, seeing that Rev. Brown was alone. There was a long pause. Then tears trickled down his flushed face. "My dear wife passed away in her sleep two weeks ago," he sobbed.

It was a wake up call that hit hard. There are way "too many places, yet too little time." The benefits of vacationing seem even more precious the older we become. Travel is by far the world's best medicine and greatest education. Each stamp in a passport symbolizes keen insights and new friends on the planet we share. Jump back into life revitalized and grateful. Give yourself the ultimate gift: put your vacations on life's front burner. Catch the travel bug!

~Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

The Trip Chicks®

Three Dumb Things People Do To Mess Up Their Trips (Apologies, Dr. Laura)

You're stoked about your vacation. It's way overdue, and this time you're sure things should go without a hitch. But wait...Yes, many great travel experiences are full of serendipity. However, too many curve balls can mess up a trip royally. Here are three things to avoid before you even leave home:

1) The "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" Syndrome

Of course you love those lavender stilettos and new snorkeling fins, but will you really use them on your hiking trip to Austria or your cruise to Alaska? When in doubt, leave it out. Your luggage can be your vacation ball and chain, keeping you from enjoying free and easy travel. It's a pain to pull a muscle, miss a tight train connection, fork out luggage surcharges, or spend hours tracking down a checked bag lost en route, all because you allowed your heavy luggage to hold you hostage. Less is more. Trust us!

2) The "I Didn't Get Around to It" Trap

Time is indeed the most precious of commodities in today's fast-paced world. We need to take our vacations to restore balance, to feed our hearts and souls, and to escape from routine. Besides, vacations are good for health. Yet far too often, our time off becomes just a P.S. in our lives, relegated to the back burner of life's priorities until the very last minute. That's when the trouble starts. A little planning and a handful of research go a long way to ensuring a fairly smooth trip. Don't fall victim to "Before we left, I just didn't have time to...a) reconfirm our flights, make sure our seat assignments are still intact, and print our boarding passes b) make copies of the hotel and car rental confirmations c) check our passport expiration dates d) confirm whether or not we need a visa for the country we're visiting e) make sure that special museum is open the one day we hit the city f) verify rail schedules to see if the day trips are really doable from our base town g) read the weather forecast for our vacation spot h) ask the neighbor to collect our mail, water the plants, check our house in our absence, etc. Save yourself the stress. A trained travel agent can help you. Make a short list of what to do and what to know before you go. Start checking things off little by little. Then you'll be able to kick back and enjoy your getaway worry-free.

3) The "I'll Sleep Longer, Eat Better, Drink More H2O, Exercise More When I Get There" Myth

No you won't. Start now. It's probably not a smart idea to pull three back-to-back all-nighters before a long flight to New Zealand, or even a shorter one to L.A. for that matter. Rest up before you go. Break in those cool new shoes. Your feet will thank you for it. Run around the block and briskly go up a flight of stairs with your packed suitcase in tow. It's a quick fitness test. Get in reasonable shape several weeks before you head out. Start hydrating days before your flights. Sure you might have to get up from your airplane seat more often, but drinking plenty of water is great for your skin. It helps you beat jet lag and keeps you regular too. Yep. A rested, nourished, fitter person is usually a more content, easy-going traveler, and a heckuva lot more pleasant to be around in transit and on vacation. Now, let's see if WE too can just practice what we preach next time we leave home! :) Happy travels.

~Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

The Trip Chicks®

www.twitter.com/thetripchicks

On the Sneak in Switzerland

We Trip Chicks always say that the best vacations are packed with serendipity. Ok, I admit. Together, my business partner Wendy and I are a solid travel team, but me solo? For some strange reason whenever I set out on my own, I always seem to attract more than my fair share of (mis)adventures worldwide. This time, on a visit to the peaceful Swiss countryside, I was itching to prove everyone wrong. Yes, for once I'd have an incident-free holiday in the heart of Europe.

At the end of a taxing bike tour to the Czech Republic, Wendy dutifully headed home with our cyclist group while I made a beeline for Switzerland. I was sure it'd be an ideal refuge for my travel-weary bones. And anyway, how could I possibly pass up that tempting farm vacation program in the catchy Swiss Tourism brochure? Never mind I was an American city-slicker. Visions of creamy chocolate, contented cows in rich green pastures, Edelweiss, and pristine glacial lakes swirled in my head. I deserved a break. So, I rushed in the Zurich booking office and plopped down the finder's fee. Then I scooped up my host family's address and hopped a train to the country for a taste of rural life.

Rolf and Ruth Springer welcomed me into their 400-year-old farm house nestled high in the hills of a tiny village, a stone's throw from the German border. And the farm? It was the place of tourist dreams: happy dairy cows with huge bells and over-sized udders, and a lively menagerie of horses, pigs, sheep, hens, goats, cats, and pooches. There were rows and rows of cherry and apple trees bursting with fruit, manicured gardens full of organic veggies and homeopathic plants, and each weekend, the best homemade hazelnut carrot cake this side of the Atlantic. "Idyllic?" There had to be a better word. I'd died and slipped through heaven's pearly gates.

The worn wooden floors with secrets of centuries creaked musically with every step we took in the old house, especially during midnight kitchen raids. Bowls of homemade honey yoghurt, pitchers of fresh cider, and crunchy loaves of bread were impossible to resist. Oooh, that bread....Mondays and Fridays were hands down my favorite days of the week. Just like Swiss clockwork promptly at 9 a.m., the heavenly scent of fresh wholegrain loaves baked in the wood-burning oven began to float lazily through every room.

I had found my "inner farm girl." Quite frankly, I didn't even miss usual creature comforts like central heating or private bathrooms. Dear Mom and Dad would have been so proud. I quickly mastered the evening task of stoking the fire in my very own bedroom furnace and heating the nifty mini-pillows stuffed with cherry pits. On the brisk early September nights, they kept my feet toasty under a fluffy goose down quilt. "What a perfect way of life," I smiled each night as I drifted off to sleep.

Well, life was pretty close to perfect...except for one ever-so-slight annoyance. The otherwise normal Springers were hell bent on ironing, pressing anything remotely resembling fabric. Their obsession included the meticulous ironing of every piece of clothing worn by their army of children: 14 of the rascals to be exact. Naturally, I got stuck with the dreaded chore. Who ever heard of ironing farmer denim coveralls destined for work in the stall, or heaven help us, bed linens? Now this was going way overboard with the Martha Stewart thing! To my credit, I never once complained. Channeling my grandma, I reminded myself that hard work builds character.

One afternoon on a gorgeous autumn Tuesday, I plotted to finish my ironing duties in record time. "No more numb hands and fingers for me today!" I thought. Nor was I about to stay cooped up in the house with such beautiful weather beckoning me outside. I sang tunes from "The Sound of Music" as my ironing picked up speed. About halfway through one massive pile of clothes, something caught my eye. I spotted three pairs of the fanciest, skimpiest men's underpants I had ever laid eyes on. Maybe you California folks might know the kind I'm talking about. But in the deep South, no red-blooded American male I know would be caught dead wearing a pair of tiny, low-rise Euro-style briefs. And that black nylon mesh, like a net ready to snare a big catch of fish, for jockey briefs?? No way! Definitely off limits for studly Southern guys.

I immediately guessed the fancy underwear had been hidden inside the festively-wrapped birthday present a giggling Frau Springer had given her hubby a few days before. Sure, I might be a domestically challenged city gal, but still I realized instinctively these underpants were special. It was plain as day to me they weren't meant to be ironed. Carefully folding all three pairs in the precise Swiss manner I had been taught (in thirds, with the fronts facing up), I gently put the undies at the far end of the ironing board. The picture of concentration, I felt pleased at how much I now knew about the fine art of household chores.

Next came Leo's turn. He was the family's always playful, borderline hyperactive St. Bernard. Somehow I sensed that dog exactly knew whenever he bounded in out of nowhere, he'd scare the bejeevers out of me. With impeccable timing, he succeeded once again. This time was tragically different. The ugly scene that followed is forever emblazoned in my middle-aged mind. Mein Gott! I'd knocked over the scalding iron! And bull's eye...it had hit the prized skivvies dead center. I froze in sheer horror.

A dense cloud of billowing, stinky gray smoke jolted me out of my shock. My first impulse was to bolt. Regaining my composure, I managed to unplug the hissing iron. Then I sprinted to the kitchen to grab a spatula. Frantically I began scraping the bottom of the smoking metal menace. After five minutes of panic and furious scraping, I realized it was hopeless. A sticky glob of melted charred nylon was plastered underneath the iron. Even worse, the underpants were welded together at what used to be three distinct crotch areas.

Then and there, I made a very wise decision. I decided not to breathe a word of the minor mishap to Frau Springer. I could always confess to her later, but the timing had to be right. A far safer strategy would be for me to wait until after I had purchased a brand new iron along with three pairs of skimpy underwear. The hunt in a neighboring village began. Thankfully, Lady Luck took quick pity. Within 48 hours of my little accident, I scored identical replacements. Somehow I just never got around to fessing up. Why spoil a vacation? Ignorance is bliss. My two weeks on the farm whizzed by.

The last day of my stay, while I reminisced and packed my bag, there was a knock on my bedroom door. It was Mrs. Springer, holding a pink box inscribed "To Ann, our unforgettable American visitor." Touched by the surprise farewell gift, I unwrapped the package. The family's present to me was a colorful scrapbook decorated with pictures of alphorns, cheese wheels, St. Bernards, and hardy farmers in traditional Swiss costumes. I peeked inside the album. On the very first page, Mrs. Springer had thoughtfully placed.... a sketch of a smiley-faced iron engulfed in smoke...and a neatly-glued black chunk of Herr Springer's fried underpants.

~ A true tale by Ann Lombardi

The Trip Chicks

You too can have an adventure like this! For info on farmstays in Switzerland and worldwide, check out:

http://www.bauernhof-ferien.ch/

http://www.wwoof.org/

www.helpx.net/

Tiptoe Through the Tulips in Springtime Netherlands

Almost every year since 2000, we have happily pedaled through stunning tulip country in the Netherlands with our equally happy bike and barge tour groups. In recent years we've started scheduling our Holland flower trips earlier in the season to increase our chances of catching the glorious Dutch flowers blooming in the fields.

Though prime tulip season used be mid-May (and of course, you never really know with Mother Nature), now we advise our cyclists to travel with The Trip Chicks to the Netherlands by the end of April. Keukenhof Garden in Lisse is wonderful, and due to staggered planting, the tulips there bloom longer than in the open fields. Still, there's really nothing quite like the breath-taking magic of a Dutch bike route along rainbow-colored tulip fields as far as the eye can see. It's a scene that can make even the most straight-laced of travelers get teary-eyed at the sheer beauty of it all.

What about the barge itself, converted from a Dutch freighter? It's a cozy floating hotel typically with a crew of three to eight, along with an experienced multi-lingual Dutch tour guide. The guide, thankfully, is also a bike mechanic for those rare instances we need one along the way. Each morning after breakfast on the barge, we pack a picnic lunch. Then we head out with our bicycles while the barge chugs on to the next port. Not a cyclist? Not a worry! The crew is delighted to have a few extra willing hands on board. Those who prefer to stay on board for the day usually reach the overnight stop an hour or two before those who pedal. That gives the "advance team" a chance to explore a bit and share great finds with their biking shipmates.

Before meeting up with our boat, cyclists take in the peaceful green countryside and tidy Dutch neighborhoods, complete with carefully-manicured gardens, miniature windmills, and windows peeking from behind Dutch lace curtains. En route to our port, we make both scheduled and serendiptous stops, enjoying a scenic picnic, a visit to a working windmill, cheese farm, or maybe a medieval town or two. Of course, on each trip there are always a few cyclists who sneak off, on the daily hunt for the best Dutch apple pie in the province before hopping back on their bikes.

We reach the barge just in time for tea/coffee with tasty desserts. Then most of us grab a quick shower or stroll before the hearty dinner cooked up by our crew. To cap off our memorable day, sometimes our Dutch guide offers to lead us on a leisurely walking tour of the town. A bike and barge trip through cycling paradise - the land of wooden shoes, windmills, Droste chocolate, Edam and Gouda, and the welcoming Dutch - is hard to beat. What a perfect way for the young and the young-at-heart alike to experience the Netherlands at its best!

Happy travels. Tot ziens!

~Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

The Trip Chicks

A Lucky Shot in the Heart of Cheese and Cow Country

After 25+ years of travel and over 80 countries under my travel belt, you'd think I would have perfected my photography skills. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Every once in a while though, by a stroke of luck I happen to be in the right place at the right time.

I snapped this colorful shot last September during the annual "Cheese-Sharing Festival" in the village of Sigriswil, Switzerland. It's a tiny place in the heart of Swiss cheese country called the Juestistal. After a summer of happy grazing high in the mountain pastures, the cows decked out in huge bells and sporting garlands of flowers in their horns, parade down the mountain to signal the end of another successful cheesemaking season. Earlier that day way up in an alpine meadow, farmers distribute their season's cheese wheels as crowds gather to enjoy the fresh mountain air, yodeling, music, cheese snacks, and other local festivities.

Whenever The Trip Chicks bring our rail groups to Switzerland, we always try to spice up the tour by adding a tradition folk event to our trip. For many of our travelers, the market or festival ends up being the highlight of their stay. For more info on our favorite alpine nation, check out Switzerland Tourism's helpful site: http://www.myswitzerland.com/ Click on the "events" tab. You might be surprised at all the neat things happening the very same time you're on vacation in Switzerland.

Happy travels!

~ Ann Lombardi
The Trip Chicks

Tantalizing Turkey

Like us, you've probably traveled to Europe countless times. It's a culturally diverse continent to which we return time and time again, a user-friendly destination within the comfort zone of most American travelers. So, at the end of our Bike Bulgaria adventure, I was all set to go back to some old familiar European stomping grounds...until I peeked at a map and pinpointed Turkey, gateway to Eurasia. Bordered by eight countries, it seemed like an excellent choice for a serendipitous place to visit after our Bulgaria adventure.

We were dead on with our decision. Now I can't wait to return to this magical country of sensory overload. If you're yearning for something different to cap your European travels, don't miss Turkey. In an upcoming post, we'll share our top tips along with a few of our travel tales from the land of the Ottoman Empire. Until then, keep on traveling in 2010!

~Ann Lombardi
The Trip Chicks

International Vacation Apartment Rental Deals Abound

Apartment rentals overseas can be super easy on the wallet in 2009, especially in Europe now that the dollar is much stronger in value than this time last year. As an example, we researched apartment lodging for a family of five vacationing in Switzerland, a country often depicted as an "ultra expensive" destination for North Americans.

For starters, cut the cost of accommodations in much of Europe by staying in a centrally-located town on the main train line to the big city. Do some preliminary online lodging research and then consult your travel agent. We started with the site www.interhome.com, and were pleased with the variety of apartment rental specials we found.

For affordable apartment stays in European cities, we recommend www.eurocheapo.com. To book your own apartment getaway in either Europe or other international destinations, check out the rentals available through www.vrbo.com. South America, Central America, or Caribbean-bound? Then have a look at www.unusualvillarentals.com and www.stayinmexico.com.

But now it's back to one of the super September values we located in our favorite "homebase" alpine village in the Swiss Bernese Alps. Kandersteg, a cosy UNESCO World Heritage town of 1,180 tucked away in a valley at the foot of the mountains, is an excellent transportation hub for train trips down into Italy as well as glorious day excursions to the best Swiss cities and hideaways such as Bern, Muerren, Fribourg, Gruyeres, Lauterbrunnen, and Sion. For a mere 647 Euro per week (about $870 a week or 1,000 Swiss Francs = under $125 a night total!), a family of five can enjoy a relaxing stay in Kandersteg's comfortable "just for nonsmokers" chalet "Marietta."

With a lovely view of the mountains and valley, the "Marietta" is a two-level house with three bedrooms, a large living/dining room, open fireplace, satellite-TV and radio, balcony, two bathrooms/showers, kitchen, dishwasher, microwave, and washing machine. Nearby are the grocery store, restaurant, train station, etc., and winter vacationers will be happy that a chair lift, cross-country ski trail, and ice skating rink are a stone's throw away. Why stay in a hotel when you can have scenery to die for, the tranquility of the countryside, and a fully-furnished place to stay at a steal of a price?

Come to think of it, house or apartment rentals in Croatia, Slovenia, and other European countries typically less touristed by North American travelers can be even more impressive buys. Who says Europe has to cost an arm and a leg? Even in the higher-profile places like London, Rome, and Paris, great rental bargains abound.

For London apartment lodging, we like www.chslondon.com and www.Rentalo.com. Is Paris on your travel wish list this year? Then take a peek at options offered on www.parisianapartmenttours.com and www.parisattitude.com. Viva Italia! Don't miss "The Eternal City." Grab a Rome apartment deal at one of a number of helpful rental sites, including www.romerenting.com, www.thesmartcactus, and www.sleepingItaly.com. Just bear in mind oftentimes week-long stays are required, and the longer the stay, the better the price.

That's it. No more procrastination! Go snag your apartment rental deal right now, while you're dreaming about your next escape. It's time to vacation. Happy travels!

Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell
The Trip Chicks

The Best of Both Worlds in Surprisingly Affordable Switzerland

Can't decide on a city vacation or village escape? Enjoy the best of both worlds by training it on daytrips from the perfect Swiss "homebase," idyllic Kandersteg in the heart of the glorious Bernese Alps. Stay at a cozy family-run hotel (we have many suggestions) for about 80 Swiss Francs per person a night (now under $75 per person), including breakfast and dinner daily. That's less than the cost of just the room in a big Swiss city!

Then use your Swiss Rail Saver Passes each day for eye-popping excursions by rail, postal bus, and/or lake steamer to your choice of the best Swiss cities and hideaways. Bern, Muerren, Fribourg, Gruyeres, Lauterbrunnen, Sion, and other gems are easily accessible by train from Kandersteg, conveniently located smack in the middle of several major rail lines.

With an early a.m. start, you even could ride the stunning Centovalli "100 Valleys" train, for example. It winds its way from Kandersteg to Brig, dipping down into Domodossola, Italy before looping back into Switzerland to Locarno. (in the Swiss Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, on the tip of Lake Maggiore at the foot of the Alps) Ask us about the chocolate factory tour in a nearby village!
:-)

The wonderfully convenient Swiss Rail Pass also entitles travelers to free admission to over 400 museums/attractions all over Europe's tiny alpine country. What a deal!
We think there's nothing more relaxing than "hub and spoke" vacationing, and one of Europe's most "user-friendly," multi-lingual travel destinations is tops on our Europe list. With a cozy Kandersteg hotel as your base, you unpack only once and then return to the peace and quiet of your alpine village every evening just in time for a hearty "home-cooked" meal.

Go to http://www.myswitzerland.com to see which alpine festivals ("customs and markets") coincide with your trip dates. Or better yet, plan your getaway around the dates of some of the festivities, colorfully authentic slices of old world Switzerland. Join that herd of flower-bedecked, bell-toting cows and the costumed farmers making their way to the high alpine meadows.

And if you are a wine, cheese, and chocolate aficionado, your tastebuds are in for a real treat in Switzerland. On the morning of your return flight to the USA, hop an early morning weekday train from Kandersteg back to Zuerich's Kloten airport. Gute Reise! Bon voyage! Buon viaggio! Happy travels!

With dreams of alpine vistas, creamy chocolates, and glacial lakes spinning in our heads,

The Trip Chicks (Atlanta)

http://www.thetripchicks.com
http://www.thetripchicks.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/thetripchicks

Travel That's Easy on the Wallet

(photo courtesy World Money.com)

It's a Sunday night in ATL & we're talking about some of our favorite ways to travel smart on a budget. Thought you'd like to see a few of our tips. The rest will be in our upcoming book! Here we go:

A. Airfare:

* Use FareCompare.com & other "fare aggregator" sites to see the best airfares offered by many airlines.

* Monitor the ups & downs of your airfare between your town & your intended destination (fare alerts) at Farecaster.com.

* Buy international airfares through an experienced travel agent for the best consolidator/wholesale deals in high season; otherwise, consider traveling in low or shoulder season to your destination to save big.

* Be flexible with your travel dates, if possible. Buy your ticket immediately if a good fare pops up. "You snooze; you lose," esp. in the airfare world.

* Go to whichbudget.com or flybudget.com for great inter-European, etc. fares to places more "under the North American tourist radar"...i.e. certain eastern parts of Europe, Scandinavia, etc. Then buy airfare from your gateway city to the more affordable European hub & connect on a "puddle jumper" to your destination. (i.e. fly into London Gatwick on Delta/British Airways) & get a separate ticket to Dubrovnik on easyJet, Monarch, etc. Not recommended for packers who take a lot of luggage or travelers extremely particular about roomy seats!

* Use those soon-to-expire frequent flyer points for your complete ticket or to get a partial discount on your fare.

B. Lodging:

* Explore the U.S.A. & Canada! Find the perfect campsite listing in Kampgrounds of America's online camping directory: http://www.koa.com/ Or, head to our national parks for affordable lodging near the best of America's natural wonders: http://www.nps.gov/

* Consider staying in hostels to save money. From castles to more rustic digs, many of these budget accommodations are no longer only for youth. Good sites to check out: hostelbookers.com, hostels.com, hostelworld.com, or hostelz.com

* Join homestay programs like Coachsurfers, Servas, Women Welcome Women World Wide (5W), Hospitality Club, etc. Not only will your wallet smile, but you'll meet some fascinating people too.

* Rent an apartment, stay on a farm, & overnight in a convent or monastery. There are some wonderful opportunities out there both in North America & worldwide. For organic farmstays: wwoof.org. For apartment rentals: vrbo.com, interhome.com, homeway.com. Check out our post January 14, 2009 "Sleeping Pretty on a Beer Budget" post for more details.

C. Activities:

* Tourist offices & chambers of commerce are terrific sources of free info.

For a listing of many world tourist offices, go to: towd.com. Remember to time your museum visit for the day admission is free or greatly reduced. Advance research before your trip can pay off royally!

* Spice up your stay with a neat folk festival, free concert, or other local happening. In addition to the tourist office sites, this one offers a good overview of events: whatsonwhen.com

* Many shops/stores give discount coupon booklets for savings on local attractions. (movies, concerts, skiing, etc.)

D. Eating:

* Eat your main hot meal at lunch time when specials are common.

* Buy supplies at a deli or grocery store & picnic in your room or outside (depending on weather) for suppertime. Carry healthy munchies in your small daypack to stave off hunger during the day. Avoid impulse eating.

* Ask a local (esp. college or university-age student) where he or she most enjoys a good affordable meal. We've discovered many a great restaurant value by following a person-in-the-know to a favorite hole-in-the-wall. Believe it or not, university cafeterias ("Mensas") in Europe are often open to visitors of all ages.

E. Local Transportation:

* Recheck your rental car rate just before you go on vacation. If the price is lower than before, you can score even a better deal.

* Consider rail passes, esp. in the countries "with the more expensive cost of living." Twin passes (for 2 or more travelers joined at the hip for the whole trip) can be a great value. Did you know for example, that the Swiss Rail Pass is valid on lake steamers, on private mountain railways, & for free admission to over 400 museums all over the country?

* Get in shape before you leave. Use local transport, your feet, & bikes for the environment, your wallet, & your waistline. Happy travels!

Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

The Trip Chicks 404-320-3033

Unclaimed Luggage Treasures, Road Trip Weather, No Smoking Havens, & Air Traffic Chatter

Howdy, travel friends! In an effort to blog more frequently and efficiently, The Trip Chicks have decided to make our blog posts shorter, starting today! That said, we'll get right to the point. Below are a few useful websites we'd like to highlight this month.


1. Courtesy Peter Greenberg (Travel Editor for NBC’s Today show, CNBC and MSNBC, best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host), the world's largest online directory for smoke-free lodging:

http://www.freshstay.com/


2. Neat on-line international language directories:

http://www.nicetranslator.com/lowres.php

http://www.babylon.com/


3. Business travelers, check these out:

http://www.planereality.com/

http://biztravelguru.com/


4. Weather forecast and road maps for your next road trip:

http://www.trippish.com/


5. Monitor live air traffic communications:

http://www.liveatc.net


6. Spice up your next trip with a pick from this lodging list:

http://www.unusualhotelsoftheworld.com/


7. Lost luggage loot could be your gain:

http://unclaimedbaggage.com/


That'll do it for now. Back soon with more tips from The Trip Chicks.

Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

Beat The Madding Crowds: Tighter Passport Rules May Take Effect June 1st

You're right. Several times over the past two years, the U.S. State Department has changed the deadline for its stricter Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) entry rules. And for all we know, the deadline could very well be extended at the last minute right before June 1st rolls around. To be ahead of the game though, if a trip to the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, or Canada is even a slight possibility in your foreseeable future, apply now for your U.S. passport.

Unless you plan to venture only within the borders of North America, Canada, or the Caribbean, you may want to skip the U.S. passport card (an ID resembling a driver's license; $45 per adult and $35 for kids under 16). We recommend instead that you splurge for a full-fledged U.S. passport, currently $100 a pop for adults or $75 for renewals, and $85 for children younger than 16 years old, with a $20 fee for renewals.

Besides, you'll be ready to go when that too-good-to-resist airfare sale to Europe or South America comes along, and you'll probably beat the passport rush in the weeks leading up to June's deadline. We bet it's just a matter of time before passports are required for re-entry into the U.S.A. by land or sea from any country. Still confused? Take a look at these two sites:

http://www.travel.state.gov

http://www.getyouhome.gov

Happy travels!

Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell
The Trip Chicks

Quintessential Savannah: Belle of the South

Seductive Savannah: Quintessential Southern Belle

For a free-spirited all-American getaway, head to seductive Savannah, mystical epitome of the Old South. Serving up heaps of charm & history, this laid-back Georgia “must-see” town quickly casts its magic spell. Start your visit with a stay at one of the Riverfront hotels. The Doubletree, steps away from the City Market & River Street, tempts with its cozy lobby, huge beds (each crowned with five fluffy pillows) & trademark walnut chocolate chip cookies. Be extra nice to cheery Cynthia at the front desk. She just might slip you an extra cookie or two!

TOP TRAVEL TIPS

Call 1-877-SAVANNAH, or check out these websites:

www.visitsavannah.com

www.savcvb.com

www.savannahpackages.com

Along Savannah's Riverfront at 1 River Street, pop into the busy Hospitality Center. Marion, the lively “grande dame” of Savannah hospitality, loads up visitors with helpful brochures & regales with insider tales only a local could know.

The Telfair Museum of Art (one the South’s oldest) and the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum are Savannah’s gifts to art and history buffs. Tour the beautifully-restored antebellum mansions. The Juliette Gordon Low & Andrew Lowe homes, Owen-Thomas House, & Davenport House are best bets.

Fans of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil have their pick of tours highlighting sites from the famous John Berendt best-selling book. It single-handedly boosted Savannah’s tourism by at least 50%. Visit Bonaventure Cemetery & the Mercer house, where the sister of infamous Jim Williams still resides.

Info: www.savannahnow.goodandevil.com

Snap pictures of the live oaks draped with Spanish moss, bustling harbor, horse-drawn carriages, & friendly locals with endearing Savannah drawls. Really MAH-vuh-lus! The town boasts native children Johnny Mercer, Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low, writers Conrad Aiken & Flannery O’Connor, Southern cooking diva Paula Deen, & “Life is like a box of chocolates” Forrest Gump! Strike up conversations with Savannah’s gracious residents.

Hop aboard one of Savannah’s free CAT trolleys for an overview of the town. Then buy a trolley ticket on a tourist line (i.e. Gray Line or Old Town Trolley Tours) with live commentary. A one day pass actually covers two full days of trolley rides. Take the 90-minute ride all the way to the end of the route & then backtrack to explore favorite stops. The home-grown tourist bus drivers are very entertaining & well-versed in juicy local lore.

Don’t miss a “Ghost Walk.” Savannah is said to have more haunted houses than any other U.S. city! A handful of companies offer ghostly options each evening. Mr. Shannon Scott, the hunky owner of Sixth Sense (1-866-666-DEAD, or on the web at http://www.sixthsensesavannah.com/), gives spooky adult nightly tours guaranteed to induce a serious case of goosebumps. Catch him now, because he’s rumored to be moving away soon to write his first book.

Dine at famous Savannah restaurants off-peak before crowds hit. Sample delicious home-style fare at Paula Deen’s The Lady & Sons, Mrs.Wilkes’ Dining Room, & Clary’s Cafe. The City Market Cafe, on West Julian Street, makes yummy thin-crust pizza starting at $2 per monster slice. Dive into tasty, affordable seafood at the Shrimp Factory. For a sinful treat, top off dinner with a scrumptious chocolate basket at Garibaldi’s, local Italian eatery. Filled with caramelised berries & ice cream, the divine dessert is a chocolate-lover’s dream come true.

Take the free ferry from the Riverfront. Just show a Savannah hotel room key before boarding the boat for the 15-minute scenic ride to the other side of the river. Wave to huge freighters plying the waters & later book a relaxing Riverboat dinner cruise.

Tour historic First African Baptist Church, the very first black church in America. Peek inside the Catholic Cathedral, St. John the Baptist, & marvel at the wooden Stations of the Cross carved in Bavaria. The stunning stained glass windows were made in Austria. Visit Mickve Israel, the old synagogue founded in 1733 by Portuguese Jewish immigrants to the new colony.

Make fast plans to return to this beguiling Southern belle...Savannah!

Ann Lombardi
The Trip Chicks

Find more photos like this on Travel Blog Exchange

We Travel Like Rolf Potts

What's your traveling style?

I travel like Rolf Potts !
You are a travel legend in the making, with a sense of adventure that will lead to hundreds of fascinating stories. Locals all over the world will give you special nicknames, and almost all of them will be complimentary.
What type of traveler are you? Take BootsnAll's Travel Quiz to find out.

Happy Trippin'!

The Trip Chicks

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

Of the many consumer watchdogs out there, at the top of the list is one of our favorite travel gurus, Christopher Elliott (http://www.elliott.org/about/). If you don't subscribe to his feed or newsletter, you're missing key insider tips on the tools you need to make your travels hassle-free.

Today he passed on the results of a survey by Kevin Stirtz (a.k.a. "Amazing Service Guy") with some disheartening news to us as veteran travel professionals: that the travel industry is guilty of the "fourth worst customer service." Check out the findings at: http://snipr.com/arx91.

To the conscientious travel/airline industry people who consistently try their best each day and remain dedicated to providing superior service, we say "hats off" and "keep up the great work." To those who allow stresses at home or work interfere with their on-the-job attitude or performance, we think it's time for a major reality check. Without loyal clients, your employer could suffer even more losses in this tough economy and you yourself might end up in the growing ranks of the unemployed. Sometimes it pays to remember the old saying "If you don't like the fire, then get out of the kitchen."

On the other side of the coin, however, we recognize it takes two to tango. Granted, there are plenty of legitimate customer service complaints in our industry and others. But to any travelers who think that badgering a flight attendant or gate agent with inflated or bogus gripes will get you a free ticket or an upgrade, they're on to you. In the end, patience and truthfulness go a long way in both camps. When push comes to show, we are in this together. With our planet in crisis and many people burdened by worry, why can't we all just try to get along?

Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell
"The Trip Chicks"