Rose & Ted McKenna are our Untourists of the Week this week. They’ve been on 19 Untours (!) and have taken one cruise with us. Take a look at what these wonderful Untourists have to say about their Untours experiences.
To Rose & Ted, thanks for sharing!
1. Tell us a little bit about your most recent Untour.
In late March (2012), we went to Nafplio. Our two weeks there exceeded all our expectations. To begin with our trip was greatly enhanced by our host Christos. His genuine caring, helpfulness, and concern that we would have a great time in his home town, and country.
We were there when the oranges were being picked. The fragrance of oranges permeated the air as we drove. What a wonderful smell. Nafplio is beautiful with its palm trees, architecture, the fortress overlooking it, the sea, and of course its people.
We loved the food. Where else could you find a restaurant owner inviting you into his kitchen to see what he has prepared that day, and encouraging you to sample it? Or the family owned restaurant where the mother and daughters come to your table to show how she makes the orange dessert, and then writes out the recipe. The olive wood carver who did a Greek dance for us in his store. The baker who waved to us each day. Of course the area has so much history that’s all so close by.
We have so so many wonderful memories of Nafplio, mostly of its people that Untours provided for us to live among for two weeks. Nafplio keeps calling us back.
We travelled along the Turquoise Coast in late April and early May on a small ship. More a yacht than a ship. It was a very special occasion for us – we were celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary. With 26 passengers, you get to know everyone in a short time. The service was excellent. The staff were totally dedicated to make it a trip to remember forever. The weather was perfect and we got to see an anchient part of the world we would not have seen otherwise.
We will take more cruises with Untours. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary.
2. What is your favorite Untours memory?
Our favorite Untour memory is hard to answer – there are so many, and almost all are about the people. Our first Untour stands out. We had driven from Venice to Buonconvento. As we got off the highway and started to get closer to Buonconvento, Tuscany opened up to us. The rolling hills, the trees, the houses, the farmers plowing, it was awesome, all so exciting. When we arrived, we found the welcome supplies, including a bottle of local great wine, then we met Harriet. She was and is the most special of all Untour hosts. It was an afternoon we will never forget.
3. How is taking an Untour different from other ways of traveling?
We have found that living among the locals, getting to know them and they us really appeals to us.
Untours provides us with the independence to do everything at our own pace, and yet we have that confidence of knowing we have local support.
4. If you could describe an Untour in just 3 words, what would they be?
Untours enriches life.