Once Upon A Time (A Year Ago) In Mexico

A year ago this month I returned from a 2-week course in Cuernavaca, Mexico to earn my tour manager certification. The course was through the International Guide Academy, based in Denver, Colorado. It was a great time, great fun. Challenging coursework, supportive instructors, wonderful classmates, and a lovely host family in a lovely city.

View of central plaza in Cuernavaca from Palacio de Cortes

La Koba y El Gato...in the Partido family courtyard

This is not a post with anything profound to say about travel or the world or Mexico in particular. Travel doesn't always have to be a life-changing experience, just so long as it's life-enjoying. That's why we travel addicts do it. And my 2 weeks in Mexico were nothing but enjoyable. And I just wanted to share a few pics from the Mexican block on my own memory lane.

Me, strolling to the Cathedral in Cuernavaca, hat in hand. Photo courtesy of Mike Tartaglia.

Shrine to La Virgen de Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico



Carla and the Sacred Heart statue, in the courtyard of the Cathedral

Mariachi man and me, outside the Cathedral

Mexico is a country that wears its Catholicism on its sleeve, but it's not all churches and shrines in Cuernavaca. Also found here is the 16th-century Palacio de Cortes, the palace of conquistador Hernan Cortes, which is now a great museum that features an extraordinary mural by Diego Rivera. Art geeks will also want to check out the Robert Brady Museum. Brady was an American artist and collector from Iowa who settled in Mexico and befriended many other artists and celebrities such as the likes of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Josephine Baker. Over time he amassed a collection of over 1,300 art pieces, which are all on display in his former home turned musem in Cuernavaca. The home alone is interesting, the art it holds diverse, quirky, and amazing.

Exterior of Robert Brady Museum

 

Room of masks, Robert Brady Museum. Photo by Mike Tartaglia.

Kitchen of Robert Brady home

Frida Kahlo self-portrait in Brady Museum.

On the streets of Cuernavaca



Balloon seller and Benito Juarez

Section of Diego Rivera mural in Palacio de Cortes, showing conquistador brutality toward native peoples of Mexico

Section of Rivera mural. Revolutionary Emiliano Zapata leading Cortes' horse, symbolizing reclamation of Mexico by the people.

Cuernavaca is in the center of Mexico, in the state of Morelos. Not far (within an hour or two away) are Mexico City, Taxco, Tepotzlan, and Xochicalco.

I met my doppelganger in Mexico City.

Boats at Xochimilco in Mexico City.

A passing gondola at Xochimilco.

A mariachi band hijacked our gondola.

A good time was had by all. Photo by Gabriela Ioana.

View of Taxco, silver city, looking up.

View of Taxco looking down.

Cathedral in Taxco.

Standing in doorway of cathedral, looking out.



Chiquita in front of Miscelenea La Chiquita.

Pyramid at pre-Columbian Xochicalco

Time teller structure at Xochicalco

Art on pyramid at Xochicalco

Representation of a Mayan carved into pyramid at Xochicalco



One of the lower pyramids at Xochicalco.

 One thing a visitor immediately notices about Mexico is how alive and vibrant it is. Even a walk down the most mundane little side street in a town guarantees an assault on the senses. Everywhere there's bright colors, sounds, smells, music, celebration. Mexican people celebrate like nobody's business. Having lived in Ireland for a long time, I thought I knew about celebrating. I thought the Irish partied with a vengeance. How naive I was. In Mexico the fiestas never stop. It's a fantastic and joyful place.

Fiesta! Photo by Allison Bitten.

Me and a friend. Photo courtesy of Mike Trant.

Me, gone native. Photo courtesy of Kirk Speer.

This post is for Rafael Partido, whose wife Rosita and family opened up their beautiful home to myself and my classmates in Cuernavaca. Rafael passed away earlier this year. He and his family were warm and generous hosts. Gracias por todo.

Event: Around Ireland In 30 Minutes!

If you live in the Chicago area, come on out to Uncle Dan's The Great Outdoor Store in Evanston on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate all things Irish with Wayfaring Women Tours! 

On March 17, 2011, we'll be teaming up with Uncle Dan's to paint Evanston green with a travel night showcasing the sights and history of Ireland. The event will be held at Uncle Dan’s Evanston location at 901 W. Church St. from 7 to 7:30 PM. We'll be taking you “Around Ireland in 30 Minutes,” with a slide-show presentation, refreshments (including homemade Irish soda bread), and Irish music. Many of the highlights of our September 2011 women's tour of Ireland will be featured in the slide show, as well as sights associated with the man of the day himself, St. Patrick.

The travel talk’s host, Uncle Dan’s, is a local outdoor gear retailer with locations in Evanston, Highland Park, and Chicago. For the past 39 years, Uncle Dan's has served outdoor and travel enthusiasts of Chicagoland by selling premium apparel and equipment. The staff are experts in the outdoor industry and can help shoppers choose the perfect gear for any adventure. For more information about Uncle Dan's, check out the website, the Uncle Dan's Facebook page, and follow the company's Twitter.

For questions about the event, please contact René Ostberg at (773) 655-9514 or rene@wayfaringwomentours.com. Hope to see you there and wearin' the green!



Poster design by Andrea Todd

Women-Only Tour of Ireland: Best of the West & South!

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and within the next few weeks the whole world is going to be getting their Irish up. I wanted to get the celebrations going a little early by announcing this wonderful women-only tour to Ireland I've put together. This September, Wayfaring Women Tours is heading to this extraordinary island country of spectacular beauty, fascinating history and culture, and the friendliest people on earth for 9 days of craic go leor (that's Irish for "fun galore"). We’ll be visiting Ireland’s stunning western and southern counties, beginning in Galway and making our way down to Cork. All the while we'll be viewing breathtaking mountain and seaside scenery, drinking jars of black stout in cozy pubs, dancing to the tunes of local fiddlers and pipers, gobbling jam-slathered scones and sipping mugs of strong, steaming tea, tramping around gardens and past ancient ruins, hearing stories from Ireland’s long, rich history, and so much more!

On the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

This tour is September 8-16, 2011 and starts at $1,825 per person (for double room sharing). You can read on for more details or check out the itinerary (and make your reservation) at the Wayfaring Women Tours website here.

Your tour manager, on Spiddal beach in County Galway

Best of the West & South Ireland Tour for Women: September 8-16, 2011 (9 days/8 nights)

Tour Includes

• Nine days of touring covering Counties Galway, Clare, Kerry, and Cork
• Accommodation for 8 nights in comfortable hotels and guesthouses, located in Galway City, Lisdoonvarna, Inis Oirr (the Aran Islands), Dingle Town, and Shanagarry (outside Cork City)
• Walking tour of Galway City to see its historic pubs and churches, the Spanish Arch and Lynch’s Castle, and the home of Nora Barnacle (the woman who would become Mrs. James Joyce and inspire Bloomsday)
• Visit to Brigit’s Garden in Moycullen with tour of gardens, tea break, and special workshop on the Brigit tradition in Celtic folklore and culture
• Tour of Connemara, including the charming village of Clifden and picture-perfect Kylemore Abbey
• Free night in Galway City for you to enjoy the pubs, sit in on a traditional Irish music session, stroll along the bay, venture out to nearby Salthill, whatever you fancy
• Tour of the Burren with a relaxed walk led by Tony Kirby, Burren guide and author
• Visit to the Cliffs of Moher, with plenty of time to take in the views
• Two nights of music, dancing, and all-around merrymaking at the world-famous annual Matchmaking Festival in Lisdoonvarna
• Optional excursion day to Lahinch, a seaside town noted for it beaches and golf course, with opportunities to sign up for a surfing lesson
• Trip to Inis Oirr, the smallest and loveliest of the Aran Islands, with ferry transport from Doolin (weather permitting)
• Overnight stay on Inis Oirr and afternoon Irish language lesson and activity led by islander and Irish teacher Bríd Ní Chualáin
• Tour of the Dingle Peninsula and its many archaeological sites
• Afternoon cookery course at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, focusing on scone, jam, and bread making
• And of course, visit to Blarney Castle and opportunity to kiss the Stone for the gift of eloquence as well as shop ‘til you drop at Blarney Woolen Mills
• 
  

  Plus: All breakfasts (8) included (full Irish), welcome dinner on first night in Galway City and farewell dinner on last night at Ballymaloe House), transportation in a roomy, comfortable coach with reclining seats, professional driver and guide, and transfers from Shannon Airport to Galway City on first day of tour and to Shannon from County Cork on last day (for guests arriving in/leaving from Shannon)
   

Colorful, cobblestoned Quay Street in Galway City

Galway Bay meeting the River Corrib, Galway City

Price: $1,825 per person (based on double person occupancy)
Single supplement is $345
Required deposit is $500 per person

Making a deposit or full payment on this tour is equivalent to having read and agreed to our Terms & Conditions.

Meals included: All breakfasts (8), three (3) dinners, one (1) tea break, plus tea and generous tastings during afternoon cookery course. Some drinks and all alcoholic beverages are not included and factored into price of tour.

Not included in price of tour: Transportation (airfare) to Ireland; airport transfers not specifically stated in itinerary (only airport transfers to/from Shannon Airport on the dates of Sept. 8 and Sept. 16 are included in price); local transportation expenses during free time on tour (i.e., taxi fares); travel insurance; meals where not stated in itinerary; personal items/shopping expenses; fees such as room service, laundry service, telephone calls, Internet use in hotels or elsewhere, etc.; entrance fees or expenses for any activities engaged during free time on tour, including optional excursions; any expenses incurred for tour members spending additional time in Ireland before or beyond tour’s start and end; tips for tour leader, driver, and local guides; passport/visa fees (for tour members arriving from outside Ireland). No refunds will be given for any unused portion of a tour by a tour member.

It's even prettier in real life!

Activity description: This tour involves several walking activities. We will be taking a 90-minute leisurely walking tour of Galway City, a 1-hour guided walking tour of Brigit’s Garden (at a very leisurely pace), and a 2-hour walking tour of the Burren (at an easy pace). Our time on Inis Oirr may also involve a walk or another easy but physical activity (depending on the weather). Many of the other sites we will be visiting involve some walking too, such as visiting the grounds of Kylemore Abbey or Blarney Castle (the latter also involves climbing narrow, winding stone steps to reach the Blarney Stone). The terrain we will be covering includes cobbled streets and sidewalks (in the cities and towns) and rocky earth (the Burren and Inis Oirr). None of the walking will be strenuous, but please be prepared and bring good walking shoes.

We will also be visiting beaches and cliffs, where the wind can be quite strong. There may be some opportunities for heartier activities such as swimming or surfing--these will be optional during your free time. There may be some dancing (wink). We will also be crossing on a small ferry for our visit to Inis Oirr and while traveling from Clare to Kerry (via a car ferry). If you tend to seasickness, please prepare accordingly when packing for this tour. Rain gear, an umbrella, and warm clothes are essential for this tour as well. If you can brave a dip in the bracing Atlantic waters, consider bringing a swimsuit too.

Note: This tour requires a minimum of 10 people and has a maximum of 15 people. The minimum age requirement for this tour is 16 years. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied with an adult (over age 18).

In the most enchanting country on earth, even the dogs and doorways are charming to behold.

Horse saying "Dia duit" (Hello) on Inis Oirr, Aran Islands

This is a tour filled with the Emerald Isle’s best-known highlights as well as some of its hidden gems, making it ideal for both first-timers to Ireland and women who have been there before and want to see more. This is also a tour that was put together with a lot of care for what makes Ireland so wonderful and unique. Ireland has been a home away from home for me since my first visit there in 1994 and my first summer living and working there the following year. It is home to some of the best friends and happiest memories of my life. I'd love to have you along and see for yourself what makes Ireland so enchanting and easy to keep coming back to.

Trip Tips

This post is a collection of some travel tips I gave out at a recent event* and wanted to share here. Some of these tips are also available on the Travel Tips page of my tour company's website. Read on and enjoy the trip tips (try saying that 3 times fast).
 

What traveling without the benefit of good travel tips is like.



What traveling with the benefit of good travel tips is like.


Money Savers: A simple way to save on airfares is to book flights leaving in the middle of the week (Tuesday or Wednesday) or a Saturday. This is also a good way to avoid more crowded flights and long airport lines, since much of both leisure and business travel occurs at the beginning of the week and start and end of the weekend.

To look for the best or cheapest fares, an easy way is through websites that do the comparing for you. At websites such as Cheap Tickets and Kayak.com, simply put in your destination and preferred travel dates and wait for the site to pull up a listing of all fares. Most of these sites will sort the fares from cheapest to most expensive, and will tell you which go non-stop or which leave and depart from different airports or with different airlines. To save on baggage and other airline fees, go to www.kayak.com/airline-fees, which will let you compare fees between airlines. Less hidden surprises!

Coupon codes are another good way to save on airfares. At sites such as Promotional Codes and Coupon Winner, you can search for codes for specific airlines, hotel, car rental agencies, and many other travel deals. Simply get the code at one of these sites and then plug them into the promotional discount code box on your favorite travel site upon purchase.




If the idea of flying this low over land in a 10-12 seater plane makes you queasy, travel insurance just might be the perfect Dramamine for your soul. Aran Islands, Ireland.


Travel Insurance is a good idea in terms of cancellations and health and safety. Travelex, Travel Guard, and World Nomads are three worth checking out. Always take a copy of your travel insurance with you when you travel. For women, if you are pregnant, be sure to check your insurance plan carefully regarding your health and safety coverage.

Take all precautions with your money, credit cards, and passport while traveling. Otherwise, you'll end up feeling like this guy. Statue in Perth, Australia.

Safety Tips: Keep your cash, credit cards, and passport close to you at all times, preferably in a money belt (not a fanny pack). Make copies of your passport (the inside page with your picture) before you leave on your trip, and leave one copy with your family and take another copy with you. While abroad, keep your photocopy of your passport in a different place from where you’re carrying your real passport, like in the sole of your shoe or a hidden inside pocket. Sounds odd, but better to be safe than sorry!

You may also wish to leave your credit card info with someone you trust at home. Always call your credit and debit card companies before leaving on a trip to tell them you will be traveling outside the country. You will need to tell them which countries and the dates you will be gone. This prevents your credit card company from stopping your card the first time you try to charge something or use an ATM while abroad. It will also keep your credit card company alerted to unusual purchases should your card get lost or stolen overseas.

As an additional money saver, it may also be worthwhile to ask your credit card company if there’s a particular bank in the country you’re traveling to that has an agreement with your own to charge no or less fees. Some banks do, some don’t--it never hurts to ask if it means extra savings.

For women travelers: Use the same sense and street smarts while traveling that you would use in any big city closer to home. It’s a good idea to dress more conservatively while traveling, both for simplicity and safety. Leave your expensive and flashier jewelry at home--wearing/displaying expensive items only makes you a target for pickpockets and con artists.

Ladies, with good common-sense travel tips, you won't have to resort to this...




...Or this.

 For women traveling solo, never tell strangers you are on your own. Never give out the name of your hotel or details of your itinerary (but do leave this info with friends or family back home). Make up a tour group or husband or boyfriend if you have to and say they are meeting you in a few minutes. Some women even wear a cheap gold “wedding” band while traveling to deter local romeos. For help with directions or anything else, look for other women (particularly locals) to ask.

View from window of a nice hotel in Paris.

Choose hotels with a 24-hour front desk and a lobby that guests have to walk through (and thus be seen by hotel staff) to get to the rooms. Avoid hotels where the door to your room is accessible through the parking lot or street.

Ladies, don't stay here.

There are many online resources for women looking for travel advice from other women who've been there, done that. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree Forum is a good place to look up safety advice--you can search for threads about specific destinations. If you have a CouchSurfing account, that site's Independent Women group is another great place to pose questions and get advice from other female travelers. Also check out Journeywoman, a travel website for women that puts out a free tip-packed newsletter every month, and GoNomad, which has a section for women travelers.

General Travel Resources: For road trips in the U.S., AAA is still the best source out there. Their local offices can give you maps and guides, and the AAA website has a great route planner.

The open road is the most beautiful thing there is.

For foreign travel, the U.S. State Department’s website is the place to go to check travel and safety advisories and find out about passport or visa requirements.

If you’re a nervous flier or get seasick, check out Turbulence Forecast! At this site you can check the turbulence levels for any flight up to 48 hours in advance, and you can also check wave heights for upcoming cruises. This way you may prepare yourself a little better if predictions of a bumpy flight or ride are in the forecast.

There are tons more great resources out there for planning a trip. I still swear by Lonely Planet guide books. My parents and a good friend of mine love Rick Steves’ travel shows. One of my sisters uses Trip Advisor for hotel reviews almost religiously.

But the best travel tip of all is this: Go there!

*A couple days ago Wayfaring Women Tours hosted a fundraiser at Vino 100 wine store in Mt. Prospect, Illinois for a local charity called PJs & Mumus. PJs & Mumus is a non-profit that collects new pajamas, nightgowns, and robes for women's shelters in the Chicagoland area. The fundraiser was a great success. In 3 hours, we raised over $800 for PJs & Mumus! That's not just a great boost for PJs & Mumus, but great support for the women they reach out to in shelters and great support for a cause (domestic violence awareness) that too many people still prefer to look away from. As part of the evening, Vino 100 offered hors d'oevres and 10 wine tastings for $10 (!) and Wayfaring Women Tours compiled and handed out some travel tips. These are the tips that were given out that evening.



The all-female fundraising force to be reckoned with from the Sip Wine & Support Women's Shelters event.