Switzerland is where UnTours started, 40 years ago! Our Heartland and Oberland programs are the originals, steeped in the mountainside traditions of Heidi. Ticino rounds out our offerings there perfectly, adding southern flair with its Italian food and language. Its lakeside towns are filled with brightly colored houses, narrow picturesque lanes, and inviting trattorie….
At last count, Germany has 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its borders, making it one of the world’s top five countries for UNESCO-recognized riches. UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Its mission, in brief, is to foster dialogue and understanding among different cultures, civilizations and people. With their World Heritage…
Dee McConnell just celebrated her 20th anniversary with UnTours, and over those decades, she has worn many hats here. She is our air specialist and works hard to find and ticket good airfares, monitor schedule changes, and help out in the occasional crisis. I’ve always admired her chutzpah, never more so than when I’ve watched…
Of course I am partial after 15 years of working on UnTours’ Italian team, but Le Chiuse is one of my favorite spots in all of Europe, not just Tuscany. I love the setting and scenery, love the character and age of the stone buildings, love the family who owns and nurtures it. I’ve watched…
Disney World with my Grandma, 1982 My grandmother passed away this past fall, at the age of 93. She was adventurous into her 90s, joining my mom on road trips to my Aunt and Uncle’s lake house or my home in Philadelphia. She embraced life and travel with an unassuming openness. Unfussy, patient, and easily…
In these last days of winter, it is fun to think of Tuscan sun. One of our favorite hosts in Tuscany, Lorenzo Magnelli (above), recently shared some photos from the wine harvest at Le Chiuse farm. The farm has gotten much recognition for its Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino. In fact, they have been so…
It’s hard to imagine a classier guy than our own baron, Manfred von Crailsheim, owner of Schloss Sommersdorf, the centerpiece of our Castle Untour. Yes, the Baron opens his family’s 14th century castle and its beautiful grounds to our guests every year, placing them in the heart of Bavaria and giving them a truly unique…
M is for minarets, a dramatic part of Istanbul’s skyline, especially at night. Istanbul marks Untour number ten for Sandra Kohler and Walt Hagenbuch. They were captivated (and occasionally overwhelmed) by their experiences in Istanbul. As a poet, Sandra has a keen eye for detail, and here her experience finds an outlet in this thoughtfully…
Castelluccio, the lentil capital of Italy, and an easy day trip on the Umbria Untour There are so many ways to enjoy Italy, and our Untour offerings there are an embarrassment of riches: major cities, gorgeous countryside, placid mountains, and dramatic seaside. You could run around for months and not see it all. But…
Atlanta Airport security line, photo courtesy of hyku, via flickr.com cc You can keep your shoes on! Or at least you may soon be able to. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced plans to expand its PreCheck program. This initiative is designed to pre-screen low risk travelers who fly frequently and streamline their security…