Featured Photo for January

With SlowBowl coming up in a few weeks, we thought we'd highlight one of Wendy and Rob's pictures from the 2011 SlowBowl in Paso Robles. This year the festivities are taking place in Los Alamos. Don't forget to check back later for images from the event.

Photohunt Contest - SlowTrav Sent Me Here!

Many of our members have told us that they are grateful to SlowTrav for recommendations and suggestions of travel destinations that they might never have uncovered on their own. Americana in Parigi had the great idea of making this a theme for a photohunt. Last month we turned it into a contest on the forums, and you submitted wonderful photos and descriptions of the experiences you had as a direct result of SlowTrav. Your Moderators had the very difficult job of choosing the final 12, which will each appear in this year's newsletter. Now you members can vote to decide who will be the winner of the grand prize, a $25 Amazon gift certificate!

Remember, when you are evaluating at the photos, the story of the entrants' experience should be considered too. Voting opened January 18th and closes January 31st (8pm EST).

Slow Travelers Talk!

Here are a few of the most interesting discussions on the Slow Talk forums this past month. Join in the conversation!

General Travel Topics

– interesting, fun, sometimes provocative travel discussions

Slow Travelers have some very diverse Travel plans for 2012. Check out the discussion, and add your own destination to the list.
Wendy & Rob asked for opinions on airline choices for their trip to Italy, and received many suggestions on the vexing matter of making a long trip in comfort.

Technology and Travel

- travelers are exchanging information on using phones, computers, cameras and more

Roz posted about a new lower-cost option for French cell phones. Our French members have reported that competition is heating up in the market.

Trip Planning

– requests for ideas, input or help on upcoming trips

If you are thinking of springtime in Paris, you will want to read the wonderful information Cindy Ruth received about Paris Markets in April. Her question on Side trips from Paris also elucidated a torrent of terrific tips. For trips outside Paris, SlowTrav members volunteered many helpful opinions in answer to the questions: Where to slow travel southwest of the Dordogne? and Which Château to Visit?
Anita1956 received plenty of clued up ideas for her 'taster' stopover in London between Italy and the US.
Flennie is contemplating a trip to Turkey this July with friends. Should she go during Ramadan? Slow Travelers gave her the thumbs up. She was also undecided whether to travel during the hot summer months of July or August - read the advice of experienced travelers who offered their expertise.
There are several great options for daytrips from Barcelona, as gdetennis learned in two discussions - Barcelona to Collioure and Suggestions for day trips.
When to travel to the UK? alitarose decided to risk the April showers after advice from our members.
zzz is planning to fulfill her mother's life-long dream to see the Swiss Alps this summer. Read about the helpful suggestions that our members offered for visiting mountain towns.
BryanATC submitted an itinerary for two weeks in Italy looking for critique and suggestions and the topic is still going strong. It will be interesting to see what his final itinerary will look like!
Are you planning a trip to France with children? AmyW is planning a trip this fall with her boys and received some excellent recommendations.
Yayoye has received some detailed information on Lisbon neighborhoods.
Bryan Gros is just starting to plan a trip to New Zealand and is looking for ideas. He has received a couple of good ideas but is still looking for help. Do you have some tips for travel on the South Island?

Travelers on the Go

– members share their current or recent trip experiences

Flennie will make you, too, want to visit Nice in winter when you read her Côte d'Azur trip report, with additions from Americana in Parigi.

Sharing Resources

– posting links, articles and information of interest to others

Ice Tea For Me is a good planner and, with retirement looming in about 10 years, she is dreaming of a home in Italy and asked our members for opinions on the most preferable regions. Suggestions are still coming in; a fascinating topic!
One could say this is not necessarily a Travel topic, but it is a happy Slow Travel topic nevertheless: baby Liam was born to our Gloria and her husband Marcel, owners of Casina di Rosa. The entire Slow Travel/Slow Talk community is cooing! Congratulation, Gloria and Marcel; welcome Liam!

Unanswered Questions

- these members haven't received much response ... perhaps you can help!

Does anyone have advice for DeniseT on finding a two bedroom apartment in Lyon?
Lew is interested in the availability of a short art history course and is still waiting, patiently, for a recommendation.
jeff whiteaker is interested if anyone knows about bus travel from Slovenia to Krakow and would it be cheaper than train or plane travel.
And creativeappetite was interested in Jewelry classes in Rome and Florence, and hopes one of us could help her find one.

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:

Trip Reports

Le Marche & Umbria: Three Women, Truffle Dogs and an Uncooperative GPS by Pokey
Pokey and colleenk share another adventure! This time they visit Le Marche, including Ascoli Piceno and a few hill towns in Umbria.

Prowling Around the Lot Valley by anne moore
Highlights of a week spent day tripping in the Lot Valley with Cahors, France as a base, during September 2011.

Three Travellers in the Costa del Sol, Barcelona and Paris by Doug Phillips
"Three of us, (husband, wife, adult daughter) enjoyed eight days in the Costa del Sol, four days in Barcelona, followed by a week in Paris in October 2011. We had a great time. Read on."

To see other recently published trip reports visit, our Newest Trip Reports page.

The beauty of Aqualagna from Pokey's trip report Le Marche & Umbria: Three Women, Truffle Dogs and an Uncooperative GPS

Reviews

Don't forget to submit reviews of vacation rentals, hotels and restaurants to help other travelers! Below you will find samples of some recently posted reviews.

Vacation Rentals

SlowTrav favorite, Summer in Italy, received another favorable review for Casa Matilde from TrekCapri and another favorite, Rome is Home, received another great review for their apartment near the Campo dei Fiori from Michael B.

Don't forget you can always see the most recently published vacation rental reviews by visiting our Latest Reviews page.

Blogs

Wonderful photos and personal details on Jane's blog on her trip to Egypt - Casey, Italy and Other Musings.

Girasoli has recently blogged about her ski trip to Steamboat Springs in Colorado. You can read how someone living in Hawaii adapts to the cold on Shave Ice & Gelato.

See our past newsletters: Newsletter Archive.

We hope you'll forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested in learning more about Slow Travel. 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 be sure to agree to "receive emails from administrators."

Happy Travels!

The Slow Travel Team
www.slowtrav.com - Slow Travel
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