Italian Honeymoon Adventure

Caldwell Travel recently arranged a 14 day Italian honeymoon adventure for Jeff and Allison. A few details about their Italian vacation:

Round trip business class flights from Indianapolis (IND) to Rome, Italy (FCO) with a connection on to Venice (VCE). They stayed in Venice for two days, taking in the canals by gondola and exploring the museums, shopping and Doge’s Palace. They then traveled by train from Venice down to Florence and spent three days at a quaint Tuscan villa. From there they continued by train down to Naples. From Naples a private car was taken to Positano, stopping for a private tour of Pompeii and a winery. Six days were spent at La Sirenuse Hotel with a sea view. Day trips were taken to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. Then a private car took them back to Naples where they took a train to Rome. In Rome they stayed at a five star hotel and enjoyed private tours of the Vatican Museum, St Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel.

Jeff and Allison had this to say about their experiences:

“Le Sirenuse (in Positano) is simply the nicest & friendliest hotel I’ve ever been to. And the service there was top notch…definitely will make it back there. … Thank you so much for everything….you made our honeymoon unforgettable!!!”

Looking to book your very own Italian honeymoon? Call us at 317-885-9855 or contact us today to get started! We book a wide variety of Italy vacation packages, and service the rest of Europe and the United Kingdom.

St Andrew’s And Much More – Golfing In Scotland

We recently arranged for a pair of avid golfers to go on a dream vacation to the home of golf – Scotland! They had a fantastic time taking in the sites and golf courses of Scotland. They sent us the photograph above, taken at the “Home of Golf” – the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, where they played a round of golf.

In an email from our clients they told us that “Kingsbarn was especially enjoyable and quite scenic.” Only seven miles from St Andrews, Kingsbarn was a must-see (and must-play) for them. They enjoyed golfing while looking out over the North Sea.

Whether you’re looking to golf in Scotland, view a nearby castle, trace your heritage or simply sample the local whiskys, Scotland is an excellent vacation destination. We can arrange for your flights in and out of Indianapolis, hotels near St Andrews (or in downtown Edinburgh if you prefer), castle tours and even schedule tee times on lush green Scottish golf courses. Relax, we’ll handle the details. Call us at 317-885-9855 or contact us today to get started on booking your Scotland golf get away.

Visiting Rome, Italy

Mondays on the Move with Kate is a travel series following the adventures of Caldwell Travel’s Kate Godfrey as she explores the world and shares her experiences. This month Kate is in Rome, Italy, exploring the wonders of the Eternal City.

Captions (clockwise from top left): The Pantheon, Pizza at a café in Piazza Navona, the imposing facade of the Colosseum, a Roman bicycle.

Ah, Rome. The ancient sites, the hustle and bustle, the fantastic food, the beautiful churches… this was my second visit to Rome, Italy. Last spring I spent a month in Rome, and I had such a wonderful time that I decided to make a repeat visit. I visited many of my favorite sites, including: the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, St Peter’s Square, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, among others. In addition to eating a decent amount of pizza and pasta, I also enjoyed the following highlights of my time in Rome:

Captions (clockwise from top left): the exterior of the Palazzo Farnese, fans waving their scarves at an AS Roma game in the Stadio Olimpico, delicious Roman gelato, Rome Marathon runners with St Peter’s Basilica in the background.

Palazzo Farnese – A 15th century palace that is now home to the French Embassy, the Palazzo Farnese is home to an incredible collection of art. Annibale Carracci’s frescoes beautifully adorn the walls and ceiling of the banquet hall; some call this the second most beautiful ceiling in Rome (after only the Sistine Chapel).

Rome Marathon – In mid-April every year a crowd of about 15,000 runners gather at the Colosseum for the start (and finish) of the Maratona di Roma. This year my husband ran his first marathon. He enjoyed the flat course and the incredible sites that he passed along the route: Trevi Fountain, Piazza del Popolo, St Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, among others.

AS Roma soccer match – Calcio (football/soccer) is taken very seriously in Italy, and Rome is no exception. Romanistas (fans of AS Roma) don their red and yellow and travel to the Stadio Olimpico to cheer on their team. During this trip I was able to witness a match between AS Roma and their city rivals SS Lazio. It was an intense and enjoyable experience. The passion of the fans was incredible and the atmosphere at the stadium was electric.

If you’d like to plan a visit to Rome, Italy, to see an AS Roma soccer match, visit an incredible art exhibit, run the Rome Marathon, or just to wander the cobblestone streets, please get in touch with us today. Let Caldwell Travel make your dream Italian vacation a reality!

San Marino: A Tiny Country Surrounded By Italy

Caldwell Travel’s own Mary Caldwell recently traveled to San Marino, a tiny independent nation sitting on a mountain in the north east of Italy. San Marino is the fifth smallest country in the world and is only 24 square miles in total. But what San Marino lacks in size it makes up for with great history and sites to visit.

Some Mary’s highlights from her trip to San Marino:

Old Town: City of San Marino – the capital city has many great sites of interest, including the Piazza della Libertà (for its great views of the surrounding valley) and Palazzo Pubblico (see the Guardia di Roca do a changing of the guard ceremony every hour on the half hour).

Basilica del Santo – Marinus, the founder of San Marino, was a Christian stone cutter from the Dalmation Coast. He took refuge from the Roman Emperor Diocletian atop Mount Titano in the early 4th century. Along with a small band of followers, he built a chapel from which grew the present republic.

Shopping - There is no VAT (Value Added Tax) in San Marino, so often the price of souvenirs is lower than in surrounding Italian areas. In addition to luxury goods and souvenirs, there are also a good amount of stamp and coin sellers, as San Marino mints their own commemorative coins and stamps.

San Leo – A nearby medieval village is home to the Church of Pieve, first constructed in the 9th century. Also worth a visit is La Rocca, a fortress that dates back to the late 1500s.

The Ferrari Museum – The Maranello Rosso Museum is a collection of twenty-five vintage Ferraris in pristine condition. The jewel of the collection is a 1962 250 GTO, considered by many to be Enzo Ferrari’s masterpiece.

To book your very own trip to stunning San Marino, call us at (317) 885-9855. If you’d like to learn more about San Marino and Italian vacation destinations, you can head over to our contact page to send us an email.

Postcard from Tuscany

Pat & Don just returned from their recent 3 week tour of Italy taking in many of its treasured sites. Here is a picture from Florence! Gotta love it. Thank you so much for sharing. We are thrilled that you enjoyed the trip as much as you did. Absolutely incredible itinerary and memories to last a lifetime.

If you would like more information about booking a trip to Italy – give us a call 317-885-9855. We love helping travel dreams come true!

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s top tourist destination. From the castle, you can see far out past Edinburgh’s orderly new town (built in the 1700s) to the Firth of Forth, which leads to the North Sea.

The castle is a man’s place, spare and stern, ringed by cannon and places for men to fight. Only one part is feminine—and it’s survived for 880 years. Tiny St. Margaret’s Chapel, with its simple white nave and curvy chancel, has seen many a Scottish bride marry her warrior—and still holds weddings today.

It sounds strange to say, but Edinburgh Castle is comforting. It reminds us that although rulers and generations come and go, some things abide. The human need to see a vista. The need for security, beauty and ritual. The need for continuity, especially when the world goes awry.

And here, too, lies the Stone of Destiny, Scotland’s biggest treasure. It sits in a hushed room, under glass, next to the Scottish jeweled crown. It is nothing much to look at, just plain sandstone with iron rings. Yet it was the royal coronation seat for Scottish monarchs of yore—and British crowns since.

For 700 years, it was kept at Westminster Abbey in London, until it finally came home in 1996 to Edinburgh Castle to stay.

Last month Edinburgh was named by Conde Nast Traveler magazine as the best tourist city in all of Britain—even surpassing London. That may be debatable, but there is no disputing the fact that Edinburgh has managed to segue from its tumultuous political history and medieval rat-filled streets to a modern, exuberant city.

(c) 2010, Detroit Free Press.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Thinking about a vacation to Scotland?

We know the area – the sites – the tours,
contact Caldwell Travel for all your travel needs!

Italian Traditions to Maximize Family Time

The Italian lifestyle is one of passion and flair for life. For this reason, people around the world have taken cues from Italian culture for centuries. Here are seven Italian traditions and how to bring a bit of Italy into everyday American life.

1. Enjoy the Italian tradition of ‘passeggiata’
Take part in your own “passeggiata” (evening stroll) with family and friends and use it as an opportunity to unwind from your day, engage in lively conversation and discover things you never knew about your area.

2. Cooking is an art – learn simple cooking techniques
Italian recipes feature poultry, meats and seafood prepared in a wide range of techniques from simply grilled, roasted or poached with extra virgin olive oil and garlic to more complicated sautéing, filleting and creation of elaborate sauces including tomatoes, cream and a variety of herbs and spices. It’s no wonder that more Americans (58%) would rather have a family member who makes great Italian meals rather than a family member who makes amazing desserts.

3. Enjoy a special meal with the family – and don’t rush
In Italy, dinner is a big event that is more about being with loved ones uniting in rich conversation than it is about eating.

4. Italian culture is steeped in tradition – embrace old traditions and start new ones with your family
Everyone has a history and traditions—88% of Americans have family recipes that have been handed down from one generation to the next and nearly half (45%) of families celebrate traditions that began three or more generations ago.

5. Italians culture is supported by “ars vivendi,” the art of living and enjoying life – live your life with passion
Italians are known for being passionate people who embrace the joys of life and aim to live it to the fullest. This passion is just what Americans are missing out on–3 in 10 are not living life to the fullest (29%). You can find passion and happiness all around you. Happiness can be as simple as an evening spent with family, adventures with friends, a beautiful day outside, or finding the perfect glass of wine or bowl of pasta.

6. Beauty is everywhere – show an appreciation for the arts and music
An appreciation for the world and all its wonders is an inherently Italian way of thinking. They notice the beauty that exists in people, places and things, in both manmade and natural occurrences and have their own style when embracing life. Take a look around your world; look at the people around you, the places you go and look for the beauty in them. Spice up your style by putting your own finesse on a new dish by adding fresh herbs or creating a memorable tablescape for a dinner party.

7. Simple is delicious – fresh ingredients prepared simply make the biggest impact
In Italy, most fish and meat are purchased the same day they will be cooked to ensure they are as fresh as possible. This is based upon the Italian belief that using the freshest ingredients can elevate any meal. Use the ingredients of the season and prepare them simply to let their true flavors shine. To be Italian is to take fresh, flavorsome food, prepare it with love and enjoy it with family and friends. No matter what, the basis for any great Italian meal is top quality, fresh ingredients.

Why not observe or partake in these wonderful traditions in Italy? If you’d like to book a trip, or discuss your travel options, please contact Caldwell Travel, your Indianapolis Travel Agency, today!

European River Cruise

Kim Hoffman recently had the opportunity to experience the Rhine and Mosel rivers on a seven-night cruise aboard the MS Switzerland. She wanted to share a bit of her experience.
After unpacking only once, we were on our way to cruising legendary rivers and retracing the routes of history as we passed by magnificent castles, quaint villages and sloping vineyards that I have only dreamed about seeing. The experience blended classic land touring with elegant river cruising – I have to say that it was one of the most relaxing ways to experience the heart of Europe.

Before boarding the MS Switzerland, we saw the quaint gabled roofed houses in Amsterdam, as well as the city’s picturesque canals on a panoramic city tour. In Amsterdam, The Netherlands, we said ‘Bon Voyage’ as we boarded the MS Switzerland to begin our memorable river cruise. We visited beautiful Keukenhof Gardens at the peak of the tulip season which was absolutely incredible. The beauty of the millions of blooming flowers was breathtaking – I couldn’t stop taking photos!

Ports of call in Germany included Cologne, Cochem, Boppard, Rudesheim, Mannheim, an optional excursion to the gateway university city of Heidelberg, and Speyer, gateway to Baden Baden. During the cruise, the majestic European cities of Strasbourg, France and Basel, Switzerland were also visited.

As the MS Switzerland meandered its course, we marveled at some of the world’s most dramatic river scenery and explored charming historic towns and villages and admired centuries-old architecture. We cruised the beautiful Mosel River with its steep valleys rich in vineyards producing some of the finest wines in the world.

When we weren’t exploring the ports of call, it was nice to sit back and relax on our ship. The MS Switzerland, our floating home for ten days, was a joy to behold. “From a single seating for meals, to everyone having an ‘outside’ cabin, our travelers luxuriated in the ease of getting around,” explains John. The staterooms on the ship are quiet and comfortable and everyone had an amazing view from their room.

I just can’t say enough about the lovely amenities of the ship – the main lounge, bar and the dining room and the food was outstanding. One of my favorite spots on the ship was the sundeck – I saw some of the best views from here.

All in all, the trip was an outstanding experience and I truly enjoyed every minute. Everyone that we traveled with was so fun and we all shared our love for this holiday. I can’t wait to go back someday soon!

Contact Caldwell Travel to book a wonderful European River Cruise!

Edinburgh Castle

There are many iconic sites in Edinburgh, Scotland; however, the Edinburgh Castle really stands out as a favorite for many visitors. Dominating the Edinburgh skyline, this massive castle has been home to settlements since the 9th century BC.

In addition to being a castle complete with high stone walls and lots of cannons, Edinburgh Castle is also the home to two very interesting sites. The first is the Scottish National War Museum which has weapons and kilts on display. If you’re lucky you might see a Scottish bag piper playing in the courtyard. The second site is the home to the Scottish Honours. The collection include the royal crown, sword and scepter from the 17th century.These attractions make a visit to Edinburgh Castle extra special.

Walk the grounds, learn about the history of Edinburgh Castle and the famous William Wallace, independently or on a guided tour. Step inside St Margaret’s Chapel, which is the oldest building in all of Edinburgh, dating back to the 12th century.

Flying from Indianapolis to Edinburgh for your Scottish vacation? Let Caldwell Travel take care of the details. We’ll arrange for a tour of Edinburgh Castle and other Scottish sites, including a trip to the Scottish Highlands where you can see Loch Ness. To book your trip today call (317) 885 – 9855 or fill out the form on the the contact us page.

A Bull Fight in Madrid

Mondays on the Move with Kate is a travel series following the adventures of Caldwell Travel’s Kate Godfrey as she explores the world and shares her experiences. She is currently on a 5 month European Adventure.

The Spanish style of bullfighting has evolved over the years to become a very stylized ritual. Supporters of bullfighting (and their numbers are dwindling) view bullfighting as an art form. Bullfighting can be traced back to the Roman Empire, and was introduced to Spain as one of the many forms of gladiatorial contests pitting humans against animals.

When you go to a bullfight in Spain you will see three matadors perform their ritual – each matador receiving two bulls. Originally fighters were on horseback. The use of the cape and fighting the bull on foot were introduced in the 18th century.

Each bull fight begins with the flagmen using their bright pink and yellow capes to entice the bull to charge, allowing the matador to view the bull in action. If the matador decides that this bull is good enough to fight he will make a signal to the official and the bull fight proceeds. If the bull is a dud – a new bull will be sent in.

Next up are the picadores. Picadores/Lancers are men who sit atop horses with long lances. Once the bull has been stabbed twice with the lance, this round is over. It sounds simple enough; however more often the not, the bull attempts to overthrow the horse. It takes quite a bit of convincing for the bull to let the horse go and the round to finish.

Banderilleros come out next The banderilleros/flagmen have the job of attempting to plant “banderillas”, little flags (sticks with barbed hooks decorated in bright colors), into the shoulders of the bull. Banderilleros will not stick the bull if it is not charging, sometimes it can take a while to get the bull engaged in the fight. Typically, this round goes pretty quickly.

The final phase of the bull fight is known as the “Tercio de Muerte” which means The Death Third. It is now time for the matador to take on the bull/toro. The matador is alone and carrying a small red cape and his sword. Using the sword to manipulate the cape he entices the bull into charging, passing within inches of his body. He does this for several minutes, which makes for the most intense part of the entire spectacle, as a 1,200 pound bull with large horns charging at a tiny matador is quite intense.

Finally the matador takes the sword and charges at the bull, attempting to stab it between the horns and kill it. This can come as a surprise for first-timers who are not aware that the bulls die in the end. This stage is very dangerous and requires a lot of skill. Once the bull has died the round is over. The bull is carted out of the bullring by a group of horses. If a matador has done a good job then the official will award him with a trophy: one ear, two ears, or if the performance is exceptional: two ears and the tail.

Watching a bull fight is not recommended for those who get queasy at the site of blood, animal lovers, or vegetarians. Six bulls meet their demise during the two hour bull fight. It is a unique experience and very rewarding in terms of observing cultural customs and societal differences – which can be a large part of travel – but disturbing at the same time.

The bull fight described and photographed was at the Las Ventas bull fight stadium in Madrid, one of the largest and most important bull fight rings in the world. Las Ventas seats 25,000 people on cement bleachers. Bullfights in Madrid happen every day during the month of May for the San Isidro festival, and generally every Sunday evening during the summer months.

Madrid has so much to offer – if you’d like to book a Spanish Vacation, contact Caldwell Travel today!