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]]>We at Compass hope you are all safe and healthy. Dreams of travel are interspersed with news of Covid ebbing and flowing around the world. Traveling is still now what it used to be—but there are places that are safe and amazing and deserve some attention. One such place is Iceland. Two of our intrepid travelers share their experiences of this beautiful volcanic island nation:
From Our Recent Travelers to Iceland:
Holly Walker at Compass Travel arranged a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for us in Iceland. To our pleasant surprise, Iceland is easier to get to than San Francisco, Seattle, or Los Angeles—a short 4½ hour plane trip from Boston. The other pleasant surprise is that everyone speaks English. They have handled Covid brilliantly; at the time of our visit, 85% of the population was fully vaccinated.
With the help of a knowledgeable and theatrical guide, Stefan, and his versatile Sprinter van, we toured the island’s southern end: waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic lava flows, and geysers were the highlights. We started in the capital and largest city—Reykjavik; the downtown district is manageable by foot with lots of places to eat and drink. Visiting the National Museum prior to our tour helped us understand the historical and cultural sights we visited.
Iceland is a geologist’s paradise. It is home to four glaciers, one active volcano, geysers, icebergs, and miles and miles of lava fields. Our group did not include a geologist, but fortunately, our guide, Stefan, explained the terrain and history of eruptions. One of the high points for us was visiting an active volcano and seeing the immense lava field. Iceland expects people to act responsibly, so there is unlimited access to the volcano and most of their natural wonders.
Holly suggested we kayak in a gorgeous lagoon at Iceland’s most extensive glacier base—a truly unique experience! The food was excellent, and the accommodations tended towards a Scandinavian design. The country runs off geothermal activity so once inside, staying warm is easy.
We focused our week on the southern part of the island rather than trying to take the ring road around the island. While it’s possible to circumnavigate the country by car in a week, having the time to really explore the south was more enjoyable. It is a special place, one we look forward to exploring further.
John and Sarah, Compass Travelers
Here are some fun videos to watch!
Magnificent Waterfalls!
Iceland is full of surprises!
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Thank you all, for your loyal patronage to Compass Travel. We appreciate your business.
We are keeping up on all the latest travel news, so don’t hesitate to call
if you are feeling wanderlust and need some advice on where to go. Holly
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]]>The post A Tribute to Tomie dePaola appeared first on Compass Travel.
]]>Tomie came into my life many years ago as a client and fortunately, our professional relationship evolved into a long, personal friendship. He was incredibly talented, laughed a lot, and enjoyed life to the fullest. Parties at his beautiful home in New London were legendary.
In his Christmas book Guess Who’s Coming to Santa’s for Dinner?, which debuted in 2004, Tomie honored Luigi and me with a dedication in the book giving us credit for the inspiration for that story. I will always treasure that!
And, speaking about holidays, Tomie loved to visit Compass Travel on Halloween, a day that I take very seriously! Tomie always stopped in at the office for photo ops and festivities!
But my fondest memories of Tomie center around the three trips my husband Luigi and I escorted with him—Mexico’s Colonial Cities in 2002, Provence, France in 2006, and Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2015. There was nothing like having Tomie on a trip to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of all we were seeing and doing.
As an incredible artist and collector of international folk art, he was totally in his element on the Santa Fe trip as we visited numerous museums and art galleries. But one of the lasting memories on that trip had nothing to do with art or museums.
One day as Tomie was standing talking to me in our hotel, his pants belt broke. For someone for whom a belt was not just a decorative accessory, this was a serious “wardrobe malfunction”! I quickly stepped in front of him to protect his vanity and we eventually found him a new belt. With many laughs and that jolly smile of his, this incident would provide Tomie with a story he loved to tell, with a bit of embellishment, over and over in the following years—as his assistant Bob Hechtel can attest to.
And speaking of Tomie’s saint-assistant Bob, thank you for keeping the home fires burning, which allowed Tomie to globe-trot with us. Very sadly, Tomie left this earth on March 30—I’d like to think he’s adding his special brushstroke to some of those heavenly stars.
Artist and friend Nancy Begin pictured here with Tomie on our trip to Santa Fe. Her husband wrote this when he heard of Tomie’s passing:
“Art is an expression of the mind and heart. Nancy and Tomie shared a love of “whimsy” – characters that bloomed somehow and somewhere from within. They made you laugh, oozed joy, and sparked dreams. What could be better?”
To view our Tribute to Tomie, click here.
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]]>The post A Tribute to Italy appeared first on Compass Travel.
]]>“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.”
Anna Akhmatova
Nothing could be truer than this beautiful depiction of a country that is so near and dear to my heart. From the northern landscapes kissing the Alps to the famed vineyards and olive groves to the spectacular islands off its southern shores, Italy and the beautiful Italian people wind their way into your heart and never leave. I have shared this idyllic place with many of my Compass Travelers, and I will continue to do so in the coming years.
But now, when the world is hurting, I want to pay special tribute to a country that has been hit especially hard by this horrific global pandemic. I want the people of this land to know how genuinely they are loved and cared for in our hearts and minds. We will return to celebrate life and beauty, shared history and future adventures. Until then, know that you are not alone and that you are loved.
Some of the trips to Italy we have taken with our clients include:
- Slovenia, Venice & Lago Maggiore – May 2019
- Tuscany & Umbria – September 2016
- Piemonte – September 2013
- Meet Your Muse on Lago Maggiore – May 2011
- Splendors of Sicily – September 2011
- The Romantic Amalfi Coast – May 2010
- Venice & the Enchanting Italian Lakes – May 2007
- Under the Tuscan Skies – May 2005
Please visit our gallery for a slide show of highlights.
Ciao!
Holly Walker
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Today, I share a travelogue from Compass traveler Lois Watts who joined us on our Western adventure to America’s Canyonlands this Fall. Enjoy!
– Lois Watts
On September 19, a merry band of 18 travelers, hosted by Compass Travel, left the ordered world of New England behind for a 10-day tour of another world: America’s Canyonlands—ancient, primeval, surreal, untouched by time and civilization.
Our first stop was Utah, where we met up with Jennie, our fantastic tour guide and “Happy Max,” our bus driver. We began our visit in Zion National Park, a world of towering red stone cliffs that surrounded us as we set off on a hike. No words or photographs can begin to capture what rain, wind, time and the Colorado River shaped over millions of years. Suddenly, we felt reduced in size and significance entering these giant red canyon cliffs of Zion. Some of us took the difficult trails, others the easy trails with our guides. We all felt the awesomeness of this towering world that enveloped us.
Evenings we stopped to check into our hotel, the bus bursting with cheers when Holly announced, “There’s a bar in the hotel!”
Next was Bryce Canyon, a vast series of amphitheaters that unfolded ad infinitum with dazzling colors of red, pink, lavender, and orange stone shapes called “hoodoos” created by nature through the millennium. The hoodoos rose from the plateau in all shapes and sizes as if a giant had been playing in the sand. Some were shaped like castles or cathedrals, all otherworldly as the mind struggled to take in the size, shapes, and colors. There are no words to describe the majesty of this natural phenomenon created by wind, ice, and rain, eroding into fantastic shapes as far as the eye can see.
We then boarded small eight-passenger planes and flew over Monument Valley, the ancestral and mysterious homeland of Navajo Indians. Upon landing, we traveled by jeep with our Navajo guide along the dusty roads through the valley. Stark red stone pillars of all shapes arose throughout the desert, standing as high as 400 feet, sentinels standing guard over this land. To the Navajos who live here, this is a sacred land, rich in the ancient traditions of their ancestors, carried on to this day.
Back on the bus, we drove to the Museum of Northern Arizona, which houses pottery, jewelry, basketry, rugs, and weaving representing the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni cultures.
The Grand Canyon is a place unto itself, stretching 277 miles long, 18-20 miles wide and 18 miles deep. The surrounding rim has many viewpoints, each presenting a unique perspective of the whole. Civilization comes close here with many hotels and lodges located near the rim. Imagine sitting on the porch of the lodge sipping a drink as the sun moves across the massive canyons turning them red, then purple, then green and then orange. An experience to savor; a moment where civilization and ancient canyons meet.
We then began our downward trek from almost 8,000 feet, the Colorado Plateau, to our destination in Sedona, with a stop in Flagstaff for lunch along the way. Jennie said we might “feel the vortex here” and, while I never felt it, Sedona was a positively beautiful town situated in a pocket with red cliffs surrounding and protecting.
By the last day, we were all getting a bit tired and the bus had grown quieter until it was announced that our hotel had a bar. Then the cheers erupted from the back of the bus as the merry band of travelers capped off their days with a cool one. What a fun, friendly, traveling group.
Here’s to Compass Travel for organizing this unforgettable trip!
For more photos, click here.
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]]>Hello, Compass Travelers!
Here at Compass Travel, planning unique travel experiences for our clients is what we do best. We take the time to learn what you want, then provide options to help you get the most out of your time away. We could tell you all about our services, but we think it’s better for you to hear what some of our travelers have to say directly. Here is a note from a family we sent to Costa Rica on a tour with Trafalgar Tours a couple of months ago:
A Letter to Compass Travel Agent Wendy:
Our vacation was AWESOME. We had so much fun. All of our travels went smoothly. Our tour director, German Rojas, was great. It was the perfect combination of activities and relaxation—we had so many interesting things to do. Our tour group included 22 people. Traveling by bus, we saw many different parts of the country; rest stops and attractions along the way helped break up the driving.
The girls’ favorite part was Tortuguero, where we took boat rides into the rain forest. We saw a wide variety of animals including sloths, crocodiles, monkeys, otters, turtles, iguanas, king fishers, toucans, and every imaginable bird, flower, and butterfly. We visited an organic pineapple plantation (delicious), stopped at a farm where we watched how hearts of palm were harvested and then tasted them in homemade tortillas cooked over an open fire, drank coconut milk and visited with a very kind and gracious couple who opened their home to us.
We visited the Arenal Volcano, walked through the rain forest on suspension bridges hundreds of feet above the ground, went zip lining (thrilling), went to a breathtakingly beautiful beach and swam in the Pacific Ocean, filmed the monkeys frolicking in the forest, visited small towns along the way, enjoyed beautiful countryside, shopped for souvenirs, sampled all kinds of delicious foods and all in all had a terrific time.
A special treat on the tour was a New Year’s Eve Party at our hotel with dinner, entertainment, and fireworks. We would highly recommend Trafalgar Tours! Thanks so much for all of your help and hard work in arranging this trip for us. We are most certainly satisfied customers!
Jeannie
Walking high atop the rain forest–an adventure of a lifetime!
Please contact Wendy to book this trip for your own family, or choose from a number of itineraries to Costa Rica for families or for couples!
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]]>Recently, I spent a few days at Club Med Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, to learn more about this all-inclusive resort. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a gorgeous view. This property is stunning: white sand beaches, turquoise water, gently bending palms. The buildings fit seamlessly into the landscape. No modern high-rises here…the reception area and main bar are open air and covered by thatched roofs. Club Med prides itself on celebrating the geography and the local building style of its location.
A 2,000-foot beach fronts the property, with a long and winding pool behind it. There are expansive lawns surrounded by palm trees, lined by large family-sized day beds, covered by netting – a perfect base from which to partake in the staggering schedule of activities offered each day. The activities are endless! And most are included in your cost. Sailing, yoga, aerobics, volleyball, dance lessons, tennis lessons, golf lessons and more are all included. Scuba, snorkeling, kite surfing, fishing, golf and excursions can all be added for an extra nominal fee. Seriously, there was something happening here every hour of every day. But you could also choose to lay on the beach or by the pool, with no interruptions. A lovely spa is on site where you can schedule your massage on the beach or in a treatment room.
The rooms themselves are in brightly colored 2-story buildings running parallel to the beach line. My room, a deluxe couple accommodation, had a lovely huge closet, a large double bed (which was two twins zipped together), tiled floor, stucco walls, a sitting room with a fridge, two televisions, and also featured a lovely porch with two teak chairs and a table…a perfect place for morning coffee or tea or an evening glass of wine. The bathroom featured a large shower, and a separate water closet. These rooms are comfortable, clean and definitely fit the style of the resort: casual, and “ beach-y.” This is a great choice for families. There are kids’ clubs for children of all ages and they all seemed to be having a blast. The recently added “Creactive” area (designed and built by Cirque du Soleil) offers trapeze and circus training for all ages. The recently added adult-only Zen section has its own pool and bar. It’s removed from the more active areas and near the spa – a perfect spot for a relaxing, romantic getaway.
To learn more about Club Med Punta Cana and other Club Med vacations, give me a call!
Amy
Compass Travel Consultant
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]]>I know it’s only mid February, but I want to talk about Christmas! For those of you who just love the Christmas season, you will enjoy this. For those who are ready for summer green to replace winter white, keep reading, you won’t be disappointed.ering spa services, intimate group excursions, unique specialty tours, and meeting a lot of happy people.
This past December, Allie, one of our wonderful travel agents, did a little scouting for us (for you, really!). She sailed on a riverboat for a Christmas Time cruise through the European countries where many of our own holiday traditions originated. She returned so eager to share her experiences that we’ve decided to plan a cruise for next Christmas for you, our wonderful Compass travelers!
There is something about a river that pulls on our imaginations. A river cruise offers a unique experience where the view is constantly changing and amazing stories unfold. As many of you know, the best experiences are the ones you don’t plan; they arise from the journey itself, the uniqueness of the experience, and the people you meet. On a river cruise, the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.
Beyond the magic of Old World Europe, you will enjoy the festivities of the season like nothing you have ever known. The food on this cruise is extraordinary. No other cruise line can boast membership in the oldest and largest food and wine society in the world–the Chaines des Rotisseurs. Besides the delectable dining, you will explore some of the most enchanting Christmas markets in places like Salzburg and Prague. You will enjoy nightly entertainment, stately rooms with balconies that overlook the ever-changing views, ultra pampering spa services, intimate group excursions, unique specialty tours, and meeting a lot of happy people.
Now you see why I wanted to get you thinking about next Christmas. For more information on this special event, take a peek at Allie’s travelogue in our newsletter, Journeys and call us to help you plan a very special holiday season next December!
Holly
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]]>Today, I share some thoughts from longtime Compass traveler Pam Broadley who joined us in Piemonte this past fall. During the two weeks we spent in Italy, Pam kept a daily journal, which is excerpted here. You can read Pam’s full travelogue in our newsletter section, Journeys.
“Another trip to Italy?” friends and family ask. I first visited Italy just out of college to track down the museums and works of art memorized for my art history classes. I’ve long since graduated from back packs, foreign train stations and pensiones, those small family rooming houses with dubious plumbing. Instead, I go to Italy with Holly and Luigi knowing that I’ll have a spectacular vacation eating at fabulous restaurants, staying in charming hotels, and having plenty of time and freedom to soak up what I love about this country—the beauty, the flowers, the food, the long lunches with wine and water bottles scattered across the table, the way the architecture and landscape blend in perfect harmony, the people, so generous and welcoming. Dare I say the shopping? The treasures—how can one country have so many? The expressiveness of this place…
Day One: Villa Beccaris is perched above the town of Monforte D’Alba in the middle of Barolo and Barbaresco wine country. Marco, our affable tour guide, tells us that the grape harvest is two weeks late this year due to a cold, rainy June. So, we get to see tightly packed cones of plumy grapes weighing the vines. We are treated to lunch in a glass conservatory overlooking vineyards, hill towns and in the distance, the Alps. Lunch includes fresh squeezed blood oranges and a salad bar with impossibly fresh, crisp vegetables, great antidotes to jet lag. Oh, and the wine that says, “you are back in Italy.”
Day Five: I think this was my favorite day in Piemonte! We travel to the Alta Langhe to meet two food artisans. Leaving the vineyards behind, we drive through forests, villages and high meadows to the town of Borgomale. The bus drops us off on a narrow road and we walked until coming to a round, hand painted sign hanging from a tree: “Formaggi di Pecora a Latte Crudo,” loosely translated as “raw sheep milk cheese.” There, we meet Silvio Pistone, a handsome farmer who fashions delectable cheese from his small flock of Langhan sheep.
Day Eight: We arrive at Hotel Cannero, and I have the sense that this place has been waiting for me to return. The lake is placid, the air is balmy, and the mountains rise up just as dramatically as I remember. The Hotel feels like an old friend, and I run around reacquainting myself with the beautifully appointed spaces. The staff is familiar, too—the same daughter-in-law in the wine cellar, the same Maitre d’ with his mischievous antics, the same dignified son at the front desk, and the same watchful mother. My room overlooks the courtyard fountain with a balcony facing the lake. From here I can watch the day unfold.
Thank you, Pam, for sharing your personal experiences on one of our escorted tours. As we turn the calendar to 2014, we look forward to many more wonderful adventures with our clients. Check our site often for updates – We are planning a fabulous sojourn to Portugal and we are happy to collaborate again with Words in Play for a wild west adventure in Wyoming! Stay tuned…
Happy Holidays from Holly and Luigi!
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Porto, Portugal
I know I’ve said this before – I just love my job. I get to scout out interesting places that you might want to visit. Most recently, Luigi and I spent a week in Portugal. We visited the seaside town of Porto. Originally settled as a Roman outpost, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe – you can just imagine the ancient ruins and historic architecture. In more recent times, this romantic, sensuous city has undergone a renaissance of sorts and has so much to offer visitors – music, art, fine dining, and lots of local color. The birthplace of port wine, this picturesque town in the Douro River valley is a mecca for wine aficionados.
Douro River Valley
And speaking of wine, we also visited the jewel of an island called Madeira, 370 miles off the coast of Morocco. Known for its lace, gardens, and of course wine, this island is irresistible. We loved it so much that we decided we wanted to share the experience with you all. So, we hope you will join us on our escorted tour to Portugal planned for September of next year.
Reids Palace Hotel on Madeira
We thoroughly checked out the many great hotels and activities and found all the best to offer you.
I know, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Stay tuned for more escorted tours. And, don’t forget – if you want us to design a tour for you, just give us a call.
We love to travel and we know how to navigate all the details so you don’t have to.
Holly
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]]>It’s the beginning of a new year, and all of us at Compass Travel are looking forward to helping you experience new adventures and make new discoveries. Our team of agents don’t just sit at desks and sell airline tickets from our computers. We get out there and test drive, if you will, all manner of adventures—for you. For instance, when it comes to planning a Disney vacation, no one has the magic like Wendy! She knows just about everything Disney and can conjure up an enchanting trip just for you!
Allie has a flair for adventure. She just returned from a trip to the Galapagos Islands to gain inside knowledge about that very distinctive place. You can read all about her trip in our newsletter section, Journeys!
If Old World European culture is your style, we are offering some wonderful escorted tours this year – retreat to a Cotswold country house and bask in the timeless beauty of spring gardens with private tours of some of England’s most glorious floral displays.
Or, perhaps you need something a little more exotic – then Spain is your ticket. Join Colby-Sawyer’s excursion this May for a zesty treat.
And speaking of treats, Luigi and I invite you on a culinary road trip to northern Italy in September. You can’t get much closer to heaven than eating your way through the Piemonte region of the Alps, where at every turn there is a magnificent view and every meal is a delightful experience.
To top off 2013, we are planning New Year’s Eve in Paris! We hope you will join us to celebrate life and travel around the world!
So, our wish for all our clients this year – Enjoy an Adventure – the World is Waiting for you!
Holly
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