Slow Travel gives you an opportunity to connect to a place and its people, rather than racing through a bunch of cities.  It’s about experiencing culture and heritage, not just about finding the nearest fast food drive-thru.  In other words, take time to stop and smell the roses – or look at the sunflowers!

Slow down and take time to look at sunflowers in Italy

As part of the slowing down process, a number of cities banded together to create Cittaslow, and to set up and official Slow Cities charter and designation.  To get the designation, a city must have less than 50,000 residents and meet 55 criteria covering environmental policy, infrastructure, quality of urban fabric, encourage of local produce and products, hospitality and community, and awareness of the Slow City movement.  Applying cities are thoroughly vetted before being granted the designation, and are regularly checked to maintain compliance to standards.

There are more than 120 Slow Cities in 16 countries around the world.  Most can be found it Europe, with the majority located in Italy, but they are also found in Australia and South Korea.  Cowichan Bay in British Columbia is the first Slow City in North America.  It comes as no surprise that there aren’t any Slow Cities in the United States.  Maybe that will change soon.

What do you think of the slow city movement?  Could you slow your vacation down, seeing less but more in depth?  Or do you want to experience more when you travel?

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

I started mapping out what was do-able from Milan, and would still allow us to get to Tuscany timely.  Given our time frame, we would need to stay in northern Italy.  There were lots of ideas floating around, but I knew we were missing something.  So I put the call out to my circle of experts via Twitter as well as using a couple of other media services.  I asked people what I should do and why.  Basically, I wanted to be persuaded about what I should see and do in northern Italy.

Lots of ideas came in, and I sifted through them all.  I looked at the transportation requirements (we eventually decided to rent a car in Milan), travel time, what there was to do (we were looking for a combination of relaxation and sightseeing, but there had to be good food around), as well as a chance for us to see things we had not yet seen.  I did a lot more research, because one way to help ensure your vacation is a great one, is to do your research before making your decision.

The commune of Maccagno is on the northeastern part of Lake Maggiore, Italy

Finally we decided to spend a few days at Lake Maggiore.

We chose Lake Maggiore because of it’s low-keyed, relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.  I liked getting away from Milan, and the high-fashion demands of the city.  Kicking back lake-side, strolling along the promenades, spending a little time on the lake, and recharging after nearly 24 hours of traveling, sounded absolutely perfect.  Plus, and this really weighted heavily in its favor, Lake Maggiore was partially in Italy and partially in Switzerland.  That meant I could easily make a trip across the border, checking off an additional country visit for the Century Club.

With the location decided, I continued to ask for information and recommendations about what to do and see.  A visit to the Borromeo Islands was on everyone’s list, so this went onto ours, too.   Other than a quick trip across the Swiss border, we left the rest of our time there unplanned.

How did it turn out?

Fabulous!

Check back for a report about our stay at Golfo Gabella, located right on the lake in the small town of Maccagno on the eastern side — and a mere five and a half miles from the Swiss border!

Photo credits:  personal collection

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And I’m not talking about a vacation to go visit family – I’m talking about a real vacation – for everyone!

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

I first tried the holiday vacation plan nearly 10 years ago, and while I don’t do it every year, it’s become an important part of mixing up my holiday celebrations.  It’s also done a lot to restore peace and balance in my life, something for which I am very thankful!  The vacations have occasionally occasionally included extended family members, sometimes not, and I’ve found that getting people out of their usual places and roles, can go a long way toward establishing new traditions and having fun.  You don’t have to do the same thing every single year!

In past years, I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving on a cruise (several times, including cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal) and in Hawaii.  This year’s plans haven’t been finalized yet, but since I’ll be in London earlier in November, this may be a stay-at-home year.

Need some inspiration to do a mind switch on a Thanksgiving vacation?  Why not suggest something different for this year?

Here’s a Thanksgiving travel package that I came across to get you started thinking outside the box:  Spend Thanksgiving, including a hearty dinner, at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland.

Ashford Castle is located on 350 acres on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong.  It’s surrounded by the lake, river, mountains, and lots of green.  The Castle has 83 guestrooms, and features an equestrian center, a falconry school (the first in Ireland), a 9-hole golf course, and fly fishing.  There are several dining rooms and bars on property.

For a Thanksgiving stay, you can take advantage of the Thanksgiving special which is a 3-night package that includes breakfast each morning, and a gourmet Irish-style Thanksgiving dinner.  Packages start at €375 (about $548) per person, and is offered for November 26 – 28th.

Don’t get me wrong – I love my family.  Sometimes, though, you have to break with the old to establish new, healthier, and more memorable family traditions.

Have you vacationed for Thanksgiving?  How did it work out?

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Ashford Castle

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Bosnia-Herzegovina was formerly part of Yugoslavia, and became an independent country in the breakup of the latter country.  While the country is predominantly a mountainous one, it has a very small spot of land that is along the coast of the Adriatic Sea.  It was that small bit of coastline where I found myself about a week ago.

This wasn’t my final destination, I was merely passing through these few miles traveling from Split to Dubrovnik, and the highway goes right through Bosnia-Herzegovina.  WOW!  I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this part of the country is beautiful.  Of course, with the sparkling blue waters of the Adriatic, it’s hard not to be beautiful.

Once we arrived at the checkpoint, a border guard got onto the bus and checked everyone’s passport, then passed us on through.  You don’t need a visa if you’re a citizen of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the European Union.  I’m told that border crossing are rarely an issue, and sure enough, on the return trip, the border guard just poked his head into the van smiled and waved at us, then motioned us on through.

Heading toward Dubrovnik, our bus made a short rest stop, giving passengers a chance to get out and stretch.  There was a small restaurant there, so I took the opportunity to try out the Bosnia ice cream, a sweet confection touted by people who had been through before.  The texture was a thick-like gelato, rich and creamy like we’re used to here at home, but not quick as thick and gooey.  Quite yummy, and I ordered more of it during my time in Croatia.

Prices are cheap.  A large double scoop of ice cream cost a little under one dollar.  The convertible Mark is the official currency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, but Euros are accepted most places.

I didn’t see much else of the country, just this little slip of land, but it was enough to count as a visit for the Century Club.  It also sparked my interest to learn more about this controversial, and at times difficult, corner of the world.

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Lake Maggiore isn’t the largest of the Italian Lakes, but it is the longest, stretching about 40 miles from Sesto Calende at the Italian end to Magadino at the Swiss end.  The east side of the lake is in the Lombardy region and the west in Piedmonte.  The lake area is considered pre-Alp, and the area surrounding it is a mixture of hills and mountains that eventually lead to the Alps.

Around the lakes are numerous little town (or communes), each with its own flavor and ambience.  Most of the towns are quiet and casual, although their are a few that have rather opulent hotels and cafes.  I much preferred the casual, laid back spots, drinking coffee and eating where the locals were.   There is, however, most likely a town that will appeal, no matter what your preferences are.

With a location that provides a steady supply of wind, Lake Maggiore is also a popular spot for windsurfing and sailing.

Photo credits:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

I very quickly had a bunch of responses.  Some from people that I knew and some from strangers.  All were passing along information or a referral, and all were most helpful.

Eventually I connected with Peter Czinkan, from On the Globe.  Peter is a tour organizer, guide and event planner, whose geographic areas of interest include Hungary, Austria, Croatia and the Czech Republic.  Peter has been great with recommendations about transportation arrangements, things to see and do, and most recently has been instrumental in helping us secure hotel reservations.

Although this is primarily a vacation, as every travel blogger knows, we are never truly and completely “on vacation.”  This trip, like all the others, will give me photos, material, and inspiration for many, many stories.  You can count on me sharing stories about Croatia – from a hotel review, to the location, to traveling there, to the food, lots of photographs, and all that there is to see and do in this country on the Adriatic.

This is just one way that Twitter connect travelers, so remember to keep it on your list of research places.  Whether you’re seeking general or specific information, there’s someone out there with the answers you need.  Give it a try.  Throw it out to the twitter universe and see what comes back.

NOTE:  You can follow me on Twitter as @flyawaycafe

Photo credit: wikimedia

Post from: Fly Away Cafe