Belle Meade Vacations

Bush Flying in Papua New Guinea

part 2

 "A traveler without observation is a bird without wings."  Moslih Eddin Saadi

From two of my globetrotting clients who recently traveled to Papua New Guinea come two wonderful videos. Several villages tucked away in folds of the lush mountains of New Guinea bear daily witness to a glorious landscape.  Flying into small villages in New Guinea is not for the faint of heart as the Bush pilot aptly demonstrates. In the second video, check out the dude under the big cap over the big hair carrying an axe- see the glint of a smile - until he notices the camera.

Are you ready for an adventure?

U.S State Dept. lifts Egypt travel alert and Egypt is readying for long needed tourism

Per Michelle Baran with Travel Weekly, extensive  irrigation projects will soon allow cruising to overnight passengers once again after a long 20 year wait. Click on link for Michelle's full article.  Egypt opens stretch of Nile River between Cairo, Luxor to cruising

For those who hunger for ancient temples and antiquities, towns that have survived since the fourth millennium BC, monasteries and Coptic churches, they'll find that an Egyptian Nile experience will provide ample rewards.

Egypt has more history than nearly anywhere else in the world, take Wadi el Hitan or 'Valley of the Whales", a desert that was once an ocean over 23 million years ago, now a UNESCO Heritage site.  If visiting this place and others wonders of Egypt doesn't give you goose bumps you'd better check your pulse for signs of life.  

With questionable job numbers and rising gas prices, it’s easy to write off travel and other leisure activities these days. But the numbers say otherwise.
 
Earlier today, Peter joined the team at CBS This Morning to report on Virtuoso’s Travel Week.  This is one of the largest, most prestigious gatherings of the travel industry, taking place every August in Las Vegas. This is a serious B2B event where CEOS, ministers of tourism, ambassadors and some of the biggest travel agents in the world gather to do some pretty serious business.

Read full article...

Trave Taking Off Despite Economy - A CBS This Morning Report

Hi - I was recenlty interviewed in a recent article in the Nashville Post. Here is the article!

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS
Nashvile Post, July-August 2012

Not long ago, most Nashvillians who traveled outside the United States opted for locales that, though beautiful and interesting, were also predictable and not particularly adventurous.

Those standard destinations included — and were almost exclusively limited to — Italy, France Mexico (the touristy coastal areas, no less) and the United Kingdom. Sunbathing in Cancun, riding a gondola in Venice, marveling at the Eiffel Tower in Paris... all joyous and memorable — and all experienced seemingly by millions of folks millions of times.

Is there anywhere in the world more identifiable than England?  What is it about that island, its history, its landmarks and literature that keep us so enchanted and attached?  We start in childhood with “London Bridge is Falling Down” and it grows from there.  For those of us truly smitten by all things English, we even have our own classification – Anglophiles.  So what is the best therapy for this affliction?  Go and explore England! 

 Years ago I spent a cool July night in the high reaches of the Colorado Rockies.  My goal was a little known mountain lake the locals raved about.

After hours of hiking without seeing a soul in air that grew thinner with every step and a backpack filled with lead, I began to worry that I'd lost the trail and argued with myself about turning back, it was at that point that I stumbled, literally, upon a magnificent plateau and there she was, splendorous and sparkling in the sunshine waiting to be admired.  That night I lay under the celestial bowl wrapped in a down sleeping bag, feeling insignificant in a sky so blanketed with stars there seemed little room for the heavy blackness in between.

So it’s February, the days are gray and cold and flowers are few.  You begin to hear of Mardi Gras from some, but you already have your plans for a celebration without beads!  You are on your way to the French Riviera with its pristine waters and soft sandy beaches to celebrate a centuries old tradition, Bataille de Fleurs.   

You will get there for Carnival to take in the spectacle of the fabulously decorated carriages and floats, and be showered with petals during the Battle of Flowers, the final parade of Carnival.   But you will find yourself staying for the food, museums, architecture and the sensory experiences offered by the sand and surf to the south and the fields of flowers to the north.

Grasse, a community just north of Nice, is a natural habitat for many of the most sought after flowers for fragrances.  May Rose, Jasmine, Lily and Lavender grow naturally in the warm climate.  Happily for the region, the fashion of the 1600’s caused a move from the malodorous industry of tanning to the industry of fragrance when a tanner in Nice offered a pair of jasmine scented gloves to Catherine de' Medici.  Scented leather became the rage and Nice became the home to the most renowned Houses of Perfume in the world.

If you can be an early bird on at least of couple of days of your vacation, you can wander down to watch the open markets fill their booths with the flowers and produce of Provence.  Pick up some fresh bread and fruit and wander the streets to soak in the sun and history of one of the loveliest places on the Mediterranean.   Then take your trip north to visit Grasse and the farms that grow all of the flowers that are used for the best known fragrances in the world.   There are entire farms of May Rose and Jasmine strictly devoted to creating the world’s most popular fragrance, Chanel No 5. 

The rich history, architecture, cuisine and beauty of Nice are waiting for you, but if that is not enough…Monte Carlo is only 8 miles away!

If you are looking for a vacation defined by luxury, then you want to consider Prague.  Often called the “Pearl of Europe”, Prague protects many of the world’s most historic sites, beautiful architecture and oldest customs. 

As the many castles and palaces will show, Prague knows luxury.  This city boasts 27 five star hotels, many of which are historic structures.  The service, grandeur of the design and lavish furnishings will have you thinking that you are a guest of royalty.

What a great way to spend a few winter days!  No snow plows or dreary days.  No hustle or bustle.  Just drifting from island to island taking in the sun is the cure for the winter doldrums.  OK that’s the first day; so what else can you do?

A luxury cruise can be an exhilarating experience.   And with luxury, there is no such thing as one size fits all.  Just consider all the different kinds of ships.

You have 7 days and you’re looking for a unique experience.  If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then a cruise on the waterways of Europe is an experience you’ll never forget.     

Belle Meade Vacations’ goal is to create memorable travel experiences and to give our clients the best value and serivce for their money.  Whether you’re interested in a weekend to Atlanta,  a World Cruise or anything in between , we take extra care of the details so that you have the travel experience that’s perfect for you !