by David McGuffin | Jun 24, 2009 | Thirsty Traveler
I’ve spent today in the Cinque Terre, one of the destinations on my 2010 Thirsty Traveler’s Tour.Instead of basking in the sun and swimming in the Med, I’ve decided to refine my tour-pricing offer and make an unheard-of and unbeatable deal.I’ll stand by this special deal for a few weeks.
I am advertising the “Thirsty Traveler’s Tour” at $2749. This price is good until August 30. After that, the price increases to $2849. The price includes all advertised land and air services in Europe. It does not include your cost of flying to and from Ireland at the beginning and end of the tour.
Planning a tour to Europe is always a gamble because of the fluctuating Euro to Dollar exchange rate.I have to plan my tours at least a year in advance and consequentially, must project (or guess) what the exchange rate will be at the given tour time.
Sign up for my “Thirsty Traveler’s Tour” between now and July 15, 2009 and receive a possible reduced price based on the Euro to Dollar exchange rate on March 1, 2010. Today (June 24, 2010), the current rate is about $1.40 USD = 1 Euro. Should the exchange rate be less than that on March 1, 2010, I will reduce the cost of your tour accordingly. If the exchange rate is higher than 1.40 USD=1 Euro on March 1, 2010 your tour price will not increase, it will remain at $2749 per person.
In order to qualify for the extra-special offer, you must download an application, fill it out, and return it with a $150 per person tour deposit. All applications must be receive by mail or fax on or before July 15, 2009.
Full details about the tour can be found at the blog site (search on “Thirsty”) or at http:/tours.davidmcguffin.com
The tour application is available right now at: http://tours.davidmcguffin.com/EETours/2010/Thirsty2010/EE%20Tour%20Application%202010%20EETHIRSTY.pdf
Please write “EURO=USD MATCH” at the top of your application.
Ciao from Riomaggiore!
-David
by David McGuffin | Jun 5, 2009 | Destinations, Thirsty Traveler
I’ve put the final itinerary together for my “Thirsty Traveler’s Tour” and am quite excited about the final outcome. In fact, I’m ready go right now!
June 16: Prague — Enjoy a guided walking tour of Prague’s city center and castle complex. Your guide will be a young, professional who lived through the Soviet days. You will hear first-hand accounts of life in Prague under Soviet rule, the former Czechoslovakia, and the struggles of making a living in a new democratic state. After lunch, enjoy a free afternoon to exploring more on your own.
June 17: Prague — The Czech Republic joined the European Union only as recently as 2007, although it has been free from the grasps of communism since 1989. This is as close as you’ll get now-a-days to experiencing socialism and the somber lifestyle of the former Soviet Union. Today is devoted to experiencing Prague, home of filling food and the world’s best pilsners. Later, hop on a flight to Pisa, Italy.
June 18: Volterra and San Gimignano — Join local resident Annie Adare who will take you on an informative walking tour of Volterra’s historic town center. The remainder of the morning is event-free. Following lunch, and maybe a siesta, we will travel a short distance to San Gimignano, a Tuscany hilltown noted for tourism, its many medieval towers, fine food and great wine. Later, we will return to Volterra and enjoy an Italian dinner at my favorite pizzaria.
After dinner, enjoy strolling the main streets with the locals on their daily passeggiata, considered a time to get out in the cool of the evening, get some exercise, and catch up on the local news.
You could go to bed, but why? Tonight we’ll enjoy an evening at my favorite wine bar, La Vena di Vino (the vein of wine). Join my friends Bruno and Lucio for a great night of fun interaction with the local crowd!
June 19: Florence –– Today is devoted entirely to Florence, the most famous Renaissance city in Europe. We will begin by traveling, by bus, to Florence (about 1.5 hours). Upon arrive in the city center, we will jump right in and visit the most famous site.
Today’s highlights include a visit to the Galleria Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s David. Additionally, you will visit the Duomo (famous for Brunelleschi’s dome) and experience a walking tour of the historic city center. There will be plenty of opportunities to get out on your own for shopping, another museum, or simply to relax. Later, return to Volterra for the evening.
June 20: Volterra — Enjoy a relaxing day in Volterra. We have no specific plans for today. Enjoy sleeping in, visiting a museum, getting in some shopping and actually enjoy the ambiance of the town.
Later we’ll gather at my favorite restaurant in all of Italy, Ristorante Del Duca. Here, husband and wife chefs, Genuino and Ivana, serve up the best food in Italy. You will enjoy fine “Tuscan-style” food and wine served in a unpretentious, yet formal setting. There is no better dining experience in Italy…period!
June 21: The Cinque Terre — The rugged coastline of Liguria is loaded with small fishing villages, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and breath-taking vistas. Although the area has become quite a tourist destination in recent years you’ll find the local folks still attached to their age-old customs and traditions.
Today, we are throwing our sightseeing itinerary to the wind, kicking back our heels, and enjoying our vacation in Italy’s Cinque Terre region. After an orientation, you will have the remainder of the day and evening to relax and enjoy our home village of Riomaggiore.
The Cinque Terre is well known for its fresh and crisp white wine. Even if you normally do not like wine, try it here. Equally as famous are the two “dessert” drinks. Lemoncello, a syrupy and tangy digestivo, an d Sciacchetrà, a sweet desert wine made from dried grapes.
June 22: The Cinque Terre — Traveling to and from the “five villages” in the region is easy by train, or boat, or trail. The National Park is full of scenic trails, which provide endless opportunities to get out and explore the outdoors. Others may wish to stake their claim on one of the many beaches a catch some sun. Each village has its own character, decor, and ambiance as well as plenty of shopping and dining options. After a full day of independent activities, we will meet in the town of Vernazza. Here, enjoy experience dinner at my favorite restaurant in the region, Il Castillo, which affords amazing vistas of the surrounding mountains, the sea, and the sunset. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner of local seafood and pasta accompanied by the local Cinque Terre vino.
June 23: Fly to Dublin — We will leave Italy today and fly back to Ireland. Tonight you will have an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the Thirsty Traveler’s tour experience. Enjoy one last pint!
June 24: Your tour ends today. Fly out of Dublin to your hometown in the USA.
by David McGuffin | Apr 21, 2009 | Destinations, Thirsty Traveler
THE MOSEL RIVER VALLEY
I first experience the lazy Mosel River in April 2003. It was one of those spur of the moment trips where the time, airfare and destination all seemed to click into place. I arrived in Frankfurt, picked up my rental car and drove towards the Mosel Valley. Leaving the autobahn, I began a slow and curvy descent into the valley. Soon, I was in the town of Cochem on the Mosel River. All the roads were blocked with barricades and I discovered the region was hosting an all-day bicycle ride up and down the riverbanks. So, having nowhere the drive and no bike, I parked and began walking.
It seemed hundreds of people of all ages were enjoying the ride. There were little kids on bikes with training wheels, older folks on bigger three-wheeled trikes and everything imaginable in between. That afternoon I walked down practically every street and lane in town, climbed up to the castle and sat at a riverside cafe, with a coffee and sweet roll, taking in all the activity. I fell in love with the place!
The Mosel River winds its way from the mountains near the French and Luxembourg borders to Koblenz, where it empties into the mighty Rhine River. It snakes its way through pristine forests and seemingly endless vineyards. For centuries the river has carved it way through the limestone mountains leaving a gently sloping gorge loaded with rich soil. The sun shines bright on the sloping hillsides making for the perfect environment for the Riesling grape and other varieties to thrive.
THE TOUR ITINERARY
JUNE 15: Rise and Shine – We’ve got to get a move on it this morning. Travel to nearby Kerry Airport for your Ryan Air flight to Frankfurt Hahn airport. Our bus is waiting, so collect your bags and hop on. We’ve only got today to experience the region.
No dilly-dallying in Hahn, we’re bound for the the Mosel River Valley, home of Germany’s famous Riesling wine. During the course of the day visit several villages on the Mosel. Zell is famous for the “Black Cat” Riesling and a delightful little village as well. Time permitting, we will travel up river as far as Cochem
Later, drive back to Hahn airport and catch a late evening flight to our next destination.
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Also remember, this is designed to be an interactive site, so please weave your tales and stories into my blog by clicking on “Comments” below.
Prost, David
by David McGuffin | Apr 9, 2009 | Experiencing Europe, Thirsty Traveler
I’ve got a special place in my heart for Ireland. Maybe it’s because I spent some time a few years back all by myself, wandering around, meeting the locals, hitting the pubs and going anyplace I wanted to go. Maybe it could be that somewhere back in history I got a little Irish blood added to mine. Or possibly, I really fell in love with it when I took my band to Dublin a few year back to march in the St. Patty’s Day Parade. The picture here is of me and an old Irish woman on the streets of Dublin. She was out early on St. Patty’s Day yelling, “Shamrocks.” I bought a bunch and pinned them to my jacket.
Ireland is so comfortable and stress-free. Everyone speaks English, it is a short flight from the USA, and if you can sleep on the flight there’s usually no jetlag. But what I really like is the scenery, the people, the music and the pubs.
So, it’s no wonder I’ve choosen my favorite little cranny of Ireland as our first destination on the “Thirsty Traveler’s” tour. You’ve got to be going to Dingle to get to Dingle. Located in the extreme southwest corner of the island, Dingle is a picture-perfect little fishing village situated among rolling hills of “40 shades of green.”
We’ll spend two days here in Dingle exploring the town, listening to “Trad” music in the pubs, having a pint or three, eating some amazing seafood, and learning about the rough and rugged Dingle peninsula.
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JUNE 13: Arrive in Shannon, Ireland where you’ll be met by David McGuffin and your driver/guide. Soon you’ll be on your way to the extreme southwest of Ireland in County Kerry. Ater a breathtaking drive through the coastal mountains, we’ll arrive in Dingle, my favorite Irish fishing village. You’ll have two days here to experience the wild and scenic countryside that we Americans have come to know as Ireland. Our guesthouse is just a block from both the harbor and town center.
Enjoy the afternoon with a brief orientation walking tour followed by some free time to do a little exploring on your own. Later we’ll meet together for our first real Irish dinner.
JUNE 14: Dingle Peninsula – Experience some of Ireland’s wildest natural beauty and most ancient Christian sights. We’ll travel the Slea Head Drive through endless fields of “40 shades of green”, ocean waves crashing on rocks, and all the sheep you’ll ever want to count. Visiting the Blasket Islands Heritage Centre, you will get a close look at a traditional Irish community.
Tonight you’re back in Dingle to enjoy dinner on your own. Along about 8:00 p.m. we’ll need to start grabbing chairs and stools at O’Flaherty’s, my favorite pub for traditional music in all of Ireland. The “trad” session begins sometime around 9:30 or whenever the musicians get ready. It’s all over and done by 11:00.
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Also remember this is designed to be an interactive site, so please weave your tales and stories into my blog by clicking on “Comments” below.
Sláinte, David
I’ve spent today in the Cinque Terre, one of the destinations on my 2010 Thirsty Traveler’s Tour.Instead of basking in the sun and swimming in the Med, I’ve decided to refine my tour-pricing offer and make an unheard-of and unbeatable deal.I’ll stand by this special deal for a few weeks.