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Vickie K
Female
Marco Island/Park City - Share
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Vickie K's discussions
Book about Italy
Replied Aug. 20, 2008
Using your pictures in my (dad's)blog? Kosher or not
Replied Sep. 19, 2007
My Page
Profile Information
- What is your favorite place in Europe so far?
- All of Switzerland and Venice
- Tell us about one of your favorite places to stay on an Untour. Do you have a favorite host? Apartment? Village?
- Our first Untour in 1991 was memorable because of our wonderful landladay in Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland. Sadly, she has since passed away...we will never forget her.
We loved the Fogher apartment in Venice.
- Do you have any special interests or hobbies that you follow when you travel?
- I just love to walk and walk and walk, exploring our hometown.
- Which Untours have you already done?
- All of the Switzerland regions, Tuscany, Rome, Venice, Rhine, Hapsburg, Portugal, Greece. We've stayed in Kaiserstuhl, Meirengen, Kandersteg, St. Goar, Sintra, Montalcino, Locarno, Rome, Venice, Napflio, Vienna, Prague, Budapest. We're booked for Andalucia, Barcelona, and Venice for 2009!
- What advice would you give others considering an Untour?
- I wrote this many hears ago for one of Idylls publications....I think it still applies...
“"Idyll People"”
While waiting in airports, my husband and I often pass the time looking at our fellow travelers and trying to identify those who are “"Idyll People"” and those who are not. I think that when planning a trip, it is important for individuals to know if they are indeed “"Idyll People"” or not. As Idyll gets additional publicity, attracting “Not Idyll People"(those who may not be totally comfortable with the Untour experience) is inevitable, especially since "Idyll People" are so enthusiastic about this experience.
Who, then, are “"Idyll People"”?
They are those who enjoy knowing a little about the country to which they are traveling before hand and have some idea about what/where they want to visit. They cherish their independence in deciding what they will see and where they will go and, yes, they even enjoy sometimes getting lost and experiencing the pleasure of the unexpected.
They are those who enjoy living as the typical person in that country does and respect the differences from the hectic 24 hour life in America.
They are those who are independent, yet, after a long, cramped, tiresome trans Atlantic flight appreciate being met at the airport and either escorted or being given directions to their final destination. The greeting service of Idyll avoids the stress often encountered by totally independent travelers trying to, upon landing, immediately figure out schedules, find local transport or taxi (and wondering if they’re being “taken” by the driver).
They are those who also have an appreciation for the “welcoming” food in their apartment and the realization that when they feel tired and dusty after 8 hours on a plane, they don’t have to immediately find a restaurant or grocery store (especially if they arrive in a small, Tuscan hill town on a Wednesday afternoon!).
They are those who recognize the value of contact with a knowledgeable citizen (not a professional tour guide) who can provide them with some of the “ins” and “outs” of their location, as well as current local happenings. They desire to participate in traditional customs and activities and savor experiences such as taking a chair lift up to hike among snowcapped peaks with breathtaking 360 panoramic views in order to experience a local folklore event.
They are those who might enjoy contact with or taking part in a cultural experience with other Americans once or twice during their two week stay - or not doing so if they don’t desire to.
“Not Idyll People” are those whose idea of visiting Europe is the comfort, decor, and service of the Holiday Inn or Hilton or Ramada with satellite TV, the convenience of a concierge and daily meals that parrot those they get at home. They are those who like someone else to plan what they should see, when they should see it, and how long they should stay. They desire universal door to door transportation and never want to handle their luggage except to put it outside their door in the morning and have it reappear in their next room at night. The constant availability of a professional tour guide is important to them.
So, dear Idyll, I hope as the enthusiasm of other “"Idyll People" helps you grow, you can continue to provide the Untour experience and are comfortable and confidant enough to say to some individuals, “perhaps Idyll is not for you.”
I hope that I have been non judgmental in articulating these differences. Every one is different and has varying needs, likes, and dislikes. It is my fierce independence that makes me respect these differences. But, it is good to know who you are and who you are not. At this point in our lives, my husband and I are happy to be “"Idyll People"”. Perhaps at another time in our lives we will not be, but for now ----where can we go next year?
- What is your favorite Untour? (so far)
- Switzerland and Venice.
My Untours Badges
Vickie K's Photos
Vickie K's Videos
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Changing of the guard - Athens
Added by Vickie K
Vickie K's Blog
Greece May, 2008
Update June/2008-I'm still working on my photos (there are so many!) to select ones to post here. In the meantime, you can visit my web galleries:
http://gallery.mac.com/vkelber#100056
http://gallery.mac.com/vkelber#100063
56- Photos of Athens, Corinth, Epidaurus, Hydra, Crete, Kusadasi, Mycenae, Mykonos
63-Nafplio, Patmos, Santorini, Tolo
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We have just finished staying at our 13th Idyll location. Nafplio is the perfect Untour… Continue
Posted on June 27, 2008 at 8:00am — 3 Comments
Thank Goodness for Untours!
Tour blog
Last September, we finally did it! After many years of either independent travel or journeys with Untours, my husband and I took a tour! It really was a matter of time constraints and laziness. We wanted to go to Alaska and really didn't have the time to do our own research and planning. Besides, how bad could a tour be?
Well..........I can't count the number of times we looked at each other during the 2 weeks and said, "thank goodness for Untours!"
We had a week on land and a week… Continue
Posted on June 14, 2008 at 2:00pm — 2 Comments
Rome/Venice May 2007
Rome/Venice....May/June 2007
(Yes, this is from 2007 - I thought I had posted it on the Untours website last year, but when I just checked, I couldn't find it!)
Tuesday/Wednesday
We flew from Ft. Myers to Newark and then on to Rome. The Alitalia flight was comfortable and there were individual video screens with a variety of movies, games, etc. . When the earphones were handed out, many people were unable to plug them in. It seems that one of the two metal prongs has to be held down so that o… Continue
Posted on June 4, 2008 at 9:04pm — 1 Comment
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Comment Wall (8 comments)
Thanks...I wrote that many years ago!
I'd love to ask you some specifics about Nafplio...I don't know if this is really the right venue....do you subcribe to the Idyll Chatboard? I could post my questions to you there or you could email me privately.
After Nafplio, we are spending two nights in Athens and then taking a quick (very quick!) cruise to some of the islands.
Vickie
My husband and I were in Greece in Sept. 2007. You will love Nafplio and Christos is a delight. We did a couple of overnights. Greece can be a challange driving, but it is lovely. We added 4 nights in Athens (split) and 3 on Santorini. Everything was fantastic. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
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