Perhaps the biggest culture difference that most visitors to Holland notice (in social behavior) is what some call the “Dutch directness.” Our Dutch team here at UnTours says: “They always speak their mind and ask questions that most would deem personal. This gives the impression they are rude or crude–attributes they refer to as openness….
We couldn’t resist. After last weeks profile of Jerry and Deena we realized we didn’t have room for any of the photos that they always come home with and post on UnTours Cafe. So this Monday, we wanted to share with you their photos from Holland. There’s something for everybody, from stunning fields of flowers,…
Alix Rabin has been a part of the UnTours family for over two decades now. She and Hal and Norma have a mutual admiration society. Passionate about the environment, Alix was a key player in launching an extensive recycling project in her community. Among many things, we count on Alix for her dry and quick…
Some of you may know that before I worked at UnTours, I was a consultant to corporations and my main role was in the delivery of workshops on cultural diversity. I wrote workshops and delivered them, spending a lot of my time training trainers, who would then teach the workshop to lots and lots of…
Jerry and Deena Koffler, enjoying one of their 9 UnTours! Holland (2x), Italy (Amalfi)2x, German Castle, Spain – Andalusia, Prague, Budapest, Greece, Swiss Heartland, Tuscany, Umbria Tell us a little bit about your most recent Untour. Holland 2012: This was the first time we returned to an Untour destination. We were looking forward to our…
Photo by IntelFreePress Well, actually, I gave while shopping. Lots of online stores offer a commission on your purchases to your favorite non-profit. These cyber “stores” and services range from L.L.Bean to Amazon to 1-800-flowers.com — which, by the way, offers Fair Trade Certified roses. If you start your shopping through the igive.com website, your…
Editor’s note about the photo: We thought a perfect complement to Andrea’s essay about getting beyond the stereotypes of a culture was one of Glenn McClure‘s many amazing portraits he takes while on Italian UnTours. See more of Glenn’s photos here at his website, or on this blog. The thoughtfulness he puts into his photographs…
I have a theory that the Untour way of travel changes how you see things. Pulled out of your routine and placed into a setting of beauty, with some friendly, knowledgeable people to set you out on the right foot, many of us find that this way of travel is not just a good trip. …
Bill has a full life with four children, an active role in their school, a growing business, lots of international traveling to meet with Fair Trade farmers, and a beautiful garden (well, he would tell you it’s his beautiful wife, Claire’s garden, but I’ve seen him work in it!). Yet he agreed to be on…
Who goes to Italy to drink beer? Those in the know. Italians have long enjoyed beer with their pizza, but refined and complex micro brews have replaced the old Peroni. Indeed birra artiginale (Italian craft beer) is putting Italy on the world brewing map. Unlike their northern European counterparts, Italian brewers are not bound by…