Travel can change your life

One of the things I love about this business is hearing how people were bitten by the travel bug. Sometimes it was an opportunity to see something unusual, an invitation from a friend, or a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the unfamiliar. I also love to hear how travel has impacted people's outlook on the world from encounters with other cultures or how they enjoyed the chance to step out of their daily routine to reflect on their lives.

 

For me, one of my most treasured memories is my first trip with Pat and Mike's--a tour to Italy in 1996. I was traveling to celebrate a dear friend's birthday, but I also made some lifelong friends on that trip (you know who you are!) and met Pat and Lenora. Although I didn't know it at the time, that trip would change my life. In a small way, having the time to reflect (or maybe due to a few too many glasses of delicious Italian wine) made me realize it was time to leave San Francisco and return to my much-beloved Portland. A big change, but the right one. And on an even larger scale, it set in motion a series of events that eventually led me to run Pat and Mike's Travel.

 

Although we can't guarantee you'll have a life-changing epiphany on our trips (wouldn't that be a heck of a business!), I hope that in some small way we allow a chance to step outside of their daily lives, relax, experience something new, and create lifelong memories and friendships. I hope you'll join us on one of our small-group, escorted tours or let us help you craft the custom itinerary of your dreams. There is no time like the present to see the world!

The New York Times makes their list, and so do I

Where to go? Where to to go?

It's a question we're asked all the time. It's a question we ask ourselves even more frequently. The world is there to explore--a taxi ride, a jetway, a restless flight and a second taxi ride away. One thing I look forward to is the where-to-go-in [next year] lists. And the New York Times does one better than most, I think. Plus, the slideshow is fun.

When the 2011 NYT list came out recently, I was happy to see where they've chosen. Not only does it include several places I've been eyeing (what a trendsetter I must be!), it also has a healthy dose of local Northwest jewels that makes me thankful to live in this corner of the world.

The list includes several must-see "checklist' destinations (London, Belgium, Thailand, Milan, Singapore, etc.). But I was delighted most of all to see a handful of locales on my personal see-soon board:

Iceland. Iceland! Yes, the place with the wrong name, being an island of remarkable geo-thermal activity filled with hot springs and warm people. Land of Bjork and other Bjork-related cultural delights. Despite the economic and volcanic difficulties that have befallen the North Atlantic nation, all reports are it remains a fascinating destination. Easy non-stop flights from the west coast to Reykjavik don't hurt, either.

Cali, Colombia. Adios drug wars; Hola! the thriving cultural scene in beautiful Cali. Long considered the world capital of "if only" (if only the violence would subside; if only it were easy to get to and easy to get around in; if only it's reputation for crime & drugs could end), the conditional if has finally been lifted off of Colombia and Cali. Now you really can discover the beauty of the land, the charms of the city and the vibrant culture that abounds there. Let's go!

The Danube. If you've been keeping up with the Pat and Mike’s newsletters, you know that we are bullish on river cruises, and the Danube (along with the Yangtze) may be the king of them all. I was soThe Daube winds its way through Budapest, Hungary glad the NYT's list included it. There may be no better way to see central Europe in a short time than a 7- or 10-day cruise through Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade. Castles, art, beer and sausage: What could be a better way to spend a summer's week?

Tallinn, Estonia. It's not where you think it is. OK, where I thought it was, anyway. I've been hearing wonderful things about Estonia for a couple of years now, but even as someone who fancies himself a geography buff, I get a little foggy in the Baltic areas about what is where. But Estonia is, well, up there. I mean St. Petersburg-and-Helsinki up there. The three cities form a 75-mile elongated triangle, and all three on my list. Way up there on my list. Wouldn't it be fantastic to visit Tallinn around the summer solstice to experience the mid-summer festival, where the sun shines 19 hours a day? Sure sounds good as I write from the Pacific Northwest in the heart of January.

Zanzibar. Speaking of "where is?". Zanzibar! Top-10 all-time geographic names! Zahn-zi-baaaar! What does one see and do there? Just a hop and skip from Tanzania's capital, Zanzibar island is an unspoiled beach-lovers paradise. Magnificent beaches, snorkeling and diving sites galore, and newly minted 4- and 5-star resorts. Is it far? Yes! But sometimes that is the point. When you've done Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean (not that there's anything wrong with those!), Zanzibar calls. Accept the charges! And after a week Tanzanian or Kenyan safari? Get my Pat and Mike's agent on the phone!

Tozeur, Tunisia.* Tunisia has long been a favorite North African destination for Europeans: modern, secular, beautiful, fun. And after the magnificent beaches and bustle of Tunis (the capital), the desert oasis of Tozeur is one of its greatest attractions. Palm trees sway, clear pools of water fed by deep springs pool up to hotels, and at night you can almost hear the echoes of Sir Lawrence himself whisper in the winds. If you're a desert-lover like me, this should be near the top of your own list. Oh and by the way, there are still a few spots left on Pat and Mike's Tunisia trip in May, and it does include Tozeur. Be quick, you desert foxes! Don't leave Tunisia entirely to the Europeans.

*Update: As this was about to post, news of unrest in Tunisia hit the headlines. While we at Pat and Mike's Travel are certainly paying close attention, we feel strongly that the small (in comparison to many others, anyway) political crisis will resolve in the coming days. We do not expect the unrest Tunis has seen to affect in any way the tourist areas of Tunisia or anyplace along the Pat and Mike's itinerary. We will continue to monitor the situation with the assistance of our reliable business partners in Tunisia.



Travel can be hilarious, too

We have all heard the platitudes about the value of travel. It enriches the mind. Breaks down prejudices. Enriches ones understanding of the world. All that… and it’s all true. If you are familiar with our website or this blog, then you know that we often say these things—and believe them.

What is less commented upon but equally true is that travel is often the source of some of life’s funniest moments and memories.

Hilarious, belly-laugh-provoking, giggling-about-the-next-day kind of moments.

Take, as one example, the case of the rolling polo shirt hawkers.  On a stop in one of the outer districts of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on our recent trip, we were presented with yet another in a series of “shopping attacks.” Two young women held out yellow polo shirts and greeted us with the now well-known Vietnamese greeting: “Hello, you want to buy something?” I’ve been in places where street vendors can get quite aggressive and even downright surly, but this was rarely the case in Vietnam, and certainly nothing like these two charmers.

Come again?

As one member of our party was wont to do, he began the negotiations: “One for a dollar.”

The lead shirt hawker countered, as we knew she would: “Three for $20.” For some completely forgettable reason, however, the driver and guide decided that we simply must depart. And so we did—back on the bus to head back to our hotel, disappointing both buyer and sellers-to-be.

The end of the story? Not by a long shot. A very long shot, as it turned out. These two young women hopped on their scooter in hot pursuit. At nearly every red light or traffic stop, they pulled up to the window of the bus to continue the negotiation. Somehow through language AND sound barrier, the barter continued. The woman not driving would signal with her hands, “5 for $20.” When  given a chance, our shopper countered in universal sign, “3 for $10.”

This cat and mouse carried on across town, literally for 30 minutes or more, all the way back to the hotel. By the time we disembarked from the bus and the scooter pulled up beside, everyone in our group, and certainly the two hawkers, were laughing so hard they could barely close the deal and exchange money for shirts.

As it happened, just about all the men in our party secured a fine yellow polo shirt and the young women nearly hugged us as we parted. Those yellow shirts made quite a fashion statement on the remaining days of our journey.

It’s truly a fine, funny memory now, and created a story to tell for years to come.

…

There was a photo project in today’s nyt.com (New York Times online) that had me thinking about the many comical things to encounter in this beautiful world. Need a laugh? Get out of your comfort zone and encounter the world with fresh eyes. It’s too easy to forget with the daily news of wars, tragedies and disasters: Our world is also a funny, funny place. Need proof? See the photos submitted by Times readers.

Viking River Cruises: Deals

Viking River Cruises is offering some great 2-for-1 cruise pricing, up to 2-for-1 international air, and other goodies if you book a 2011 cruise before May 28, 2010.

We're seeing growing interest in river cruising because of the benefits:

1. Unpack once (wahoo!). I'll admit, there is something nice about having to unpack only once.

2. Let them do the "driving." You can focus on what you want to see during the stops, rather than navigating through traffic. And, getting there is half the fun--picture yourself enjoying your favorite beverage while floating through the calm waters and watching the world float by.

3. Many great cities were built on rivers and are inaccessible to ocean liners and larger ships. River cruises can frequently drop you within easy reach of the city center. Less time getting there, and more time being there.

4. River cruises have only between 150 and 300 guests, so you aren't on a ship with thousands. No thundering hordes. And no fancy-dress dinners. Leave your ballgown and tux at home, and enjoy the casually elegant atmosphere on board.

And lots more. Come see what all the hub-bub is about, and enjoy a river cruise in 2011. There are some fantastic itineraries through Russia, Europe, China, and many more.

Top 12 Most Annoying Things About Flying

The June issue of Consumer Reports lists the Top 12 Most Annoying Things About Flying. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most annoying, consumers said:

1. Luggage charges (8.4)
2. Added fees (8.1)
3. Rude or unhelpful staff (7.7)
4. Can't reach a live service rep (7.6)
5. Poor communication about delays (7.1)
6. Seatmates who hog your space (7.0)
7. Flight delays (6.8)
8. People who hog carry-on space (6.7)
9. Long waits at baggage claim (5.9)
10. Long lines for security or check-in (5.2)
11. Puny/no snacks (5.1)
12. Crying babies, unruly kids (4.9)
Source: Consumer Reports

Ah, air travel. What happened to the romance and excitement? Now we just hope that we can endure the flight, that we can choose our own movies, and that we don't have to pay to use the toilet.