04
Arriving in Poland for the first time, on a 3-country tour with Elderhostel (Boston, MA; 877/426-8056 or www.elderhostel.org), Sept. 7-24, ’04, took me back to the morning of Sept. 1, 1939, when I heard Hitler’s speech on the radio as he sent his troops across the Polish border. Of course, I couldn’t understand a word he said, but I realized that this meant war in Europe. I had no idea how devastating it was to be nor how it would affect my nation and my life.
by Steve Venables, Contributing Editor
My wife, Felice, and I have traveled to Europe six times in the last seven years with Patty’s Places (1251 NW 195th St., Seattle, WA 98177; 800/775-3861 or www.pattysplaces.com). As a result, we have learned a great deal about Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Turkey. On our 3-week tour to southern Italy, March 9-30, ’05, we got to know a lot more about Sicily.
My husband, Maurice, and I had a remarkable trip to Honduras, Dec. 31, ’05-Jan. 10, ’06, thanks to Maya Temple Tours (Lobby Hotel & Suites Copantl, Residential Los Arcos, San Pedro Sula, Honduras; phone [504] 509 0555 or visit www.mayatempletours.com).
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row,/That mark our place;…
— from “In Flanders Fields,” John McCrae, 1915
As a single woman who prefers to travel independently and alone, when possible, I had the good fortune to tour Morocco with Heritage Tours (121 West 27th St., Ste. 1201, New York, NY 10001; 800/378-4555 or www.heritagetoursonline.com).
Historical ruins, awe-inspiring cathedrals, great museums and spectacular scenery. A civilization that dates back 7,000 years. Because of its strategic location, Malta has been occupied by many different countries, and its culture, cuisine and architecture reflect this diversity.
On our Nov. 8-22, ’04, tour of Malta with Grand Circle Travel (347 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210; 800/221-2610 or www.gct.com), we learned about the island’s complicated history through lectures, a home-hosted lunch, a movie and, of course, local tours.
by Paula Prindle, Orient, OH
At opposite ends of the spectrum of hotel operation, here are experiences we had in South America in December ’05.
