A view From the river, Spring 2019

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Spring in Burgundy; It may be asked what a hotel barge does during the closed season, mostly it involves preparation for the open season !

This year we are gong single use plastic free. I touched on the subject previously but with an ethos of caring for the environment which we all enjoy, and with the revelation that cola-cola produces 3,000,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year, we all need to be part of the solution by following the simple mantra, reduce, reuse, recycle. Therefore by following the first item on the list we are reducing, a filtered and chilled fountain has been fitted in the wheelhouse saloon, et volia! Chilled drinking water on tap and no more plastic bottles!

We enjoy yachting style and ambiance of the Randle, therefore during the spring we start re-varnishing. Each piece of exterior mahogany has at least six coats of traditional tung oil varnish, the finished effect is boating personified. And it must be said, for a steel boat there does seem to be rather a lot of varnishing, but it is worth it!

 

Hatch re-varnishing

Re-varnishing deck hatches In the boathouse

 

The anchor winch ready for another season’s cruising.

 

Cruising aboard the Randle is not just all about boating, there are many off boat activities to enjoy too. Walking is a very popular and with open access to the surrounding countryside I have been enjoying planning outings for this coming season. And with the region populated for at least 28,000 years there is a fascinating history to explore too.

Walking in the steps of the Roman legionnaires along the 2,000 year old Roman road, Via Agrippa.

 

Via Agrippa

The 2,000 year old Roman road, Via Agrippa, through the woods in Burgundy

Camp Cora

The View from the Roman hill fort of Camp Cora.

 

Congratulations to one of our favorite restaurants, the Chateau Vault-de-Lugny, for its shiny new Michelin star, dine at the Chateau when cruising with us, evening chauffeur service included.

 

Chateau Vault-du-Lugny

Dine at the Michelin starred Chateau Vault-du-Lugny

 

As we look forward to the coming Spring and Summer I leave you with a dream of burgundy,

Rêver, je ne plus attendre rêver, pourtant, j’adore rêver ..
Dream, I can not wait to dream again, why?, I love to dream ..

 

 

Bon voyage toute le monde!

boiler plate

Tim Harrold is owner and captain of the Randle, a beautiful and classically styled river boat fitted with two en-suite cabins and all the modern facilities to travel in comfort.

Tim offers private barge tours on the picturesque Burgundy Canal du Nivernais and river Yonne. A luxury cruise with Tim and his crew includes gourmet cuisine, fine wine, and guided tours by private car to vineyards and chateaux. Learn more about Edge Charter and barge trips on the Randle along Burgundy's canals and rivers here.

Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.

 

 

This Little Piggy went to Market

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Twice a week Orvieto hosts a market filled with the freshest fruits, veggies and more.  It’s a wonderful, colorful way to experience a slice of life. By law, 60% of the vendors must be local, the rest regional.  Vendors set up their stalls early and are cleaning up by mid-day.

Try some peaches that taste like they were just picked (maybe they were!) or some cherries.  Find beans in every shape and size, and peppers in a rainbow of colors.  Squash blossoms, eggplant and tomatoes are sold beside specialty foods.

Of course you’ll also find meats, cheeses, fish, nuts, and flowers. There’s clothing, socks and shoes, scarves, linens, and fabric.

The down side for me is that I don’t cook while I’m in Orvieto, so I pick up some fruit to snack on and just enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the rest! As an avid photographer, there’s plenty for me to enjoy. Often I will spot Chef Lorenzo, who runs our cooking class, taking his students around the market.

I’m not the only one who runs into someone I know at the market.  The market fills the Piazza del Popolo, which literally translates to the piazza of the people, so you can imagine it’s filled with locals.  People come to shop, but also to greet friends and exchange news.  I love to sit with my cappuccino and just people watch.  Vendors chat with patrons as they make their purchases, friends stop to catch up.  You really feel the sense of community all around.  I love this glimpse into life in Orvieto!

 

 

Michelle Logue
Michelle Logue leads cultural and creative adventures in Orvieto, Italy. With a mandate to provide "travel that transforms", Adventures in Italy gives guests an immersive experience. After more than 15 years of return trips, Orvieto has become a welcoming home base surpassing the typical Italian vacation.

Adventures in Italy operates trips in May and September, with two options: Artistic Enrichment nurtures creative expression, while Discover Orvieto invites visitors to focus on the history and culture of Orvieto and live as locals. Find out more about tours and special offers by following Adventures in Italy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit www.adventuresinitaly.ca

Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.

Why You Should Discover Malopolska Region of Poland and Krakow in 2019

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Malopolska region (Lesser Poland in English) located in the south-east part of Poland is one of the most beautiful and dynamically developing regions in Poland and Eastern Europe. It is located on the crossroads between the South – Slovakia and Hungary and the East – Ukraine, has unique advantages and attracts 12 million tourists each year, new investments and young people studying at Malopolska universities like the Jagiellonian, one of the oldest universities in the world.

The landscape of Malopolska region of Poland

Malopolska region has approximately 3.4 million inhabitants and covers the area of 15.2 thousand square kilometers. The capital of Malopolska is historic Krakow with over 769 thousand inhabitants, the second largest city in Poland – the cradle of the Polish state. The city is the home for more than 200 thousand students. Tourists admire the Wawel Royal Castle, the historic Old Town, the vibrant with life Kazimierz district, museums, galleries, theaters and music stages. Krakow Airport, the second largest in Poland, supports approximately 5.8 million passengers each year, offers direct flights to the majority of European countries.

Carriages on Krakow’s UNESCO Old Town Market Square

Charming cafe on Krakow’s UNESCO Old Town Market Square

From Krakow, the roads lead to other urban centers of the region like Tarnow, Nowy Sacz and Zakopane. Zakopane, Polish capital of winter sports and tourism is located south of Krakow and in the sub-region Podhale – home to the Polish highlanders, in the heart of the Tatra Mountains – the most beautiful range of Polish mountains.

Highlander musicians from Malopolska region of Poland

Malopolska region strongly cares about the natural environment protection. There are six national parks, numerous landscape parks and protected areas. As many as eight historical sites in the Malopolska region – including the Old Town of Krakow, Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp have been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Malopolska is also traditionally a place visited by the amateurs of winter sports, climbing, mountain hiking, biking and water tourism. Visitors can enjoy a golf fields, canoe tracks and horse farms.

Rafting on the Dunajec River Gorge in Malopolska region of Poland

Regional sheep cheese from Malopolska – “oscypek”

Wine tasting at Srebrna Gora winery outside of Krakow, Malopolska region of Poland

We invite you to discover Malopolska region with Poland Culinary Vacations in 2019 on one of four exciting small-group tours we offer every year to the region:

“Cooking Your Way From Krakow to Zakopane” and Pierogi Festival in Krakow

“Spa & Wine Vacation in Southern Poland and Krakow”

“The Magic of Christmas Markets in Poland” 

and our NEW wine tour: “Five Days with Polish Wine in Lesser Poland + Krakow” 

See you in Malopolska (Lesser Poland)! – Do zobaczenia w Malopolsce!

Malgorzata (Sarna) Rose, is a native of Poland. Poland Culinary Vacations grew out of her love and passion for travel and everything Polish, including fine Polish cuisine, eventually blossoming into a first-class culinary travel company. While growing up in Poland, she experienced the great joy of cooking with family and friends. Using her grandmothers' recipes and fresh ingredients from their gardens, they prepared food for weddings, parties, and traditional holidays. Now, through Poland Culinary Vacations, she wants to share that experience with you, and show you the best of everyday Polish living: the special people and their hospitality, and the heritage and traditions unique to each region. Only a native can help you discover and fully experience the authentic Poland!

Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.