Happy New Year!
We would like to wish all Slow Travelers the happiest of New Years, and Happy Travels, too!
Start the New Year Right!
As 2010 begins, the moderators would like to wish each of you a Happy and fulfilling New Year. 2009 was an interesting and busy year on the boards - and as the new year unfolds, we thought we would suggest a few "resolutions" to all of our members:
- Join in more discussions. Share your ideas and experiences.
- Add to our database of hotel, rental, and restaurant reviews (i.e., submit reviews) . Let us know about the places you found special during your travels, and also about places that were less than stellar. Future visitors will thank you for sharing.
- Take a few minutes to look over the Slow Travel forum rules. They provide the framework that makes Slow Travel the friendly, knowledgeable community we all enjoy and appreciate. From its inception, Slow Travel has had a clear set of values which makes it possible for everyone to share travel experiences in a positive atmosphere; it is good for all of us to remind ourselves of those guidelines from time to time.
- Visit new countries - at least virtually - by reviewing a couple of forums you haven't been visiting regularly. See what is happening in The Rest of the World, for example, or stop by the North America forum. You may find that you have the answer to an esoteric question someone has posted or that a thread will catch your attention and have you planning a future trip to a previously unconsidered destination.
Announcing a New Feature on the Slow Talk Forums
We often get questions from our members about how to use certain features in the forums. We are starting a series of posts that will highlight answers to your questions, and we're calling it Slow Talk Tips. Our first Slow Talk Tip is all about How To Update Your Profile Photo.
Contest Winner: Featured Photo for January
In March of 2009 we had a contest to select photos to feature in the next 12 issues of Slow Tidings. Last month's featured winner was TominVB. This month we're featuring AnnieNC's photo Venice Gondolas.
Great San Diego Gathering (March 12 -14, 2010)
It is not too late to join other Slow Travelers the weekend of March 12-14 in San Diego, California. Chief organizer Shannon says there's still room for about 20 people. Check out the San Diego Gathering forum for discussion on details, sightseeing, events, and a list of attendees. Check here for registration information.
In addition to all of the scheduled fun planned for the weekend, be sure to check out some of the informal activities that are starting to take shape.
Show Us Your Trunks Photo Contest
Congratulations to Jane, who was the winner in our Show Us Your Trunks photo contest. Jane will receive an Amazon.com gift card. Thanks, Jane, and to the others who took the time to join in the fun.
Switzerland 2008 - the path we took from our base in
Pontresina by Just Travel
PhotoHunting!
Slow Travelers were PhotoHunting on many forums this past month. Enjoy the results of these recent Hunts and share some of your own photos:
- Love on the Everything About Travel forum.
- Warmth on the Italy forum.
- Door on the France forum.
- Lights on the United Kingdom & Ireland forum.
- Peaceful on the North America forum.
- Path on the Rest of Europe forum.
Slow Travelers Talk!
Here are a few of the most interesting discussions on the Slow Talk forums this past month. You're invited to join the conversation!
General Travel Topics
– interesting, fun, sometimes provocative travel discussions- With recent tightening of airport security measures, members have been discussing these changes. In New Security Measures, members have shared recent security experiences.
- LoveItaly asked a question about AutoEurope discounts, and reminded us all about the 5% that we can save, and that clicking through from our site helps support Slow Travel.
Trip Planning
– requests for ideas, input or help on upcoming trips- Karenb1 asked Dordogne vs Provence - how are they different? See what our members said and share your opinion too.
- Another member also wanted to know about two areas - Dominoe's Mommy wanted to know the differences between Cenac St. Julien and Puy l'Eveque. Check out what we advised.
- Bappo is planning a trip to Nice and she is wondering about medical care in France. Read about our members' past experiences in France.
- We have many members planning trips to France in 2010. Are you? Join in our growing list of planned trips. Don't forget to add your trip to our Trip Calendar.
- Kaydee is planning a trip to Croatia this summer. Help her get excited.
- Brian Jones asked for help deciding which historic towns to visit in Spain.
- Barbara D. received many good suggestions when she asked about Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre.
- New member Paoli53 started a lively discussion when she asked about Vegetarian Eating in Italy.
- Two of our members are trying to answer the difficult question of "where to stay in London". In the two discussions, one from SL Jones and the other from jayneann7 each outlining different requirements, but both got good suggestions from fellow Anglophiles.
Sharing Resources
– posting links, articles and information of interest to others- Kevin Widrow shares photos of St. Saturnin, in Provence, blanketed in fresh snow.
- Members shared lots of information when cg0994 asked about using an iPhone or smartphone in Italy.
Back From...
- Slowtravel members share their recent trip experiences- Kaydee was in China as part of a faculty study trip. She visited four different areas of China and posted fascinating information about her trip. Don't miss the links to her photos.
- JustTravel shared photos and the experience of watching Venice's Regatta delle Befane, and found she had snapped a picture of our own Venice poster venexiananan in the process! It is a small world.
Unanswered Questions
- these members haven't received much response ... perhaps you can help!- Jane is planning a safari to Africa and is looking for recommendations. Do you have any advice for her?
- Flennie is looking for an apartment in Toulouse. Can you help?
Elsewhere on Slow Travel
(reviews, trip reports, photos and blogs)Here is a sampling of some of the new publications on the Slow Travel website:
Travel Notes
Umbria Brings in May by Anne Robichaud
"We had no idea what was happening since the cantarmaggio ("singing in May") tradition has no roots in Sicily (Pino is from Palermo) and certainly not in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!" Anne conducts tours in Umbria and is a frequent SlowTrav contributor. You can see her upcoming tour schedule at Anne's Italy. This winter she'll be conducting cooking classes in the US with opportunities to hold benefits for Haiti. See Anne's Winter Newsletter for more information.
Navigating the French Cheese Shop by Genevieve Sandifer
"Cheese (and cheese shopping) is, unequivocally, one of the pillars of the French way of life. With over 350 French cheeses to choose from, buying a lunchtime treat can be an intimidating cultural challenge." Genevieve, a relatively new contributor to SlowTrav also writes for The HiP Paris Blog published by Haven in Paris.
Trip Reports
William A Switzer Provincial Park - Kelly's Bathtub
with Jarvis Lake Behind, from Eleanor's trip report
Six weeks in Saskatchewan, Alberta & BC
to the Bavarian Alps
A Short Break in Madrid by DavidX
"I realised that I had used (Madrid) as a transport hub three times, having actually spent a night there once - but I did not know the city at all. In fact Picasso's Guernica was my one sight! Time to remedy that situation."
Buona Fortuna in the Polenta Zone by Eurogirl
"In honor of our 20th anniversary we spent two nights in Bergamo, a week in Venice, one night in Verona, and a final night in Milan."
Six Weeks in Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC where English Tourists Don't Get to... by Eleanor
"This originally started as three to four weeks but rapidly grew to six weeks as I did more research. We did all the arrangements and booking ourselves as we couldn't find an agent in UK who got into the areas we wanted to go or if they did were going to book us into the usual tourist hotels which we didn't want."
Reviews
Don't forget to submit reviews of vacation rentals, hotels and restaurants to help other travelers! Here's a sample of some recently-posted reviews.
Hotels
Bugalu went to Scotland and sent a review for The Scotsman, while AmyW went to Sicily and stayed in Sillitti Agriturismo. Meanwhile, we've started to collect and publish our forum reviews; here's one for La Joie Saint Benoit Benedictine Monastery.
Restaurants
AnneP sent these restaurant reviews - inexpensive eats in Rome: Pizza Ciro and La Montecarlo.
Blogs
Kim blogged from Israel on her blog What I Really Think. She had some great adventures, while Palma, of Palmabella's Passions, is starting her third year of blogging every single day!
See our past newsletters: Newsletter Archive.
We hope you will forward this newsletter on to your friends. If you've received a forwarded copy and would like to subscribe, register on our forums: www.slowtalk.com. Registration is free and without obligation, just make sure you agree to "receive emails from administrators."
Happy New Year and Happy Travels!
The Slow Travel Team
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