Category Archives: Food

Explore the wonders of the Aegean

Leave a reply

Milos

Just imagine, a leisurely cruise on the Aegean Sea visiting sunny Greek Islands. Each island has its own personality and each adds a new chapter to your wonderful travel memories. Spend time in Athens where a visit is like traveling through time. It is a city rich with ancient landmarks and historic sites. Enjoy the charming canals and romance of Venice. Visit the Pearl of the Adriatic. And if that’s not enough — take a little extra time to explore the fabulous Veneto region of Italy.

Join GetAway Travel on our Aegean adventure with some additional time in the Veneto region, or let us plan your own exciting getaway.

Start in Athens and then on to Milos

 The Cyclades are a group of islands in the Aegean Sea and Milos is in the southwestern-most part of the island group. It is between mainland Greece and Crete. It was created by volcanic activity between 2 and 3 million years ago. It’s that volcanic activity gives Milos the nickname “Island of Colors.”

Milos in the Cyclades islands

This beach paradise (70 — yes, 70) also has pink and orange cliffs and each of the beaches has a different color palette, whites, grays, pinks and various sand and pebble colors. The colors are a result of the original volcanic activity and mineral formations. One of the most photographed beaches is Sarakiniko Beach because the volcanic activity created a moon-like landscape here.

Plaka is the capital of Milos and its located on a hill so you can enjoy the gorgeous sunsets. There’s lovely little boutiques and souvenir shops and, the Sand Museum. There’s sand samples from all over the world and you can even look at them under a microscope.

Nearby are the colorful fishing villages. The whitewashed homes are built into the cliffs, but each has a uniquely colorful garage door where the fishing boat is parked. Living space is on top of the sea-level garage.

The cliffs and surrounding rock formations created the Kleftiko Sea Caves. Kleftiko comes from the Greek word, “thief.” The caves and formations were the perfect place for pirates to hide, store their treasure and conceal their boats so they were ready to attack ships on the Aegean Sea.

The Church of Panaghia Korfiatissa was built in 1810 of materials from abandoned churches. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it offers spectacular views of the area. The elegant church has relics of saints, and some interesting gilded wooden screens with icons.

Ypapanti of Christ or Panaghia Thalassitra church Milos Greece

There are numerous other churches on the island. The Church of Panaghia Thalassitra is the most photographed church on the island. You can see 17th century paintings from the famous hagiographic workshop of Skordilidon, a wooden temple and the coat of arms of the Duke of Naxos.

One of the three most important catacomb sites in the world is in Milos. It is estimated that up to 8,000 Christians could be buried in the catacombs here that were discovered in 1844. They were difficult to build because they were practically carved out of volcanic rock. Only partially excavated, you can still view family tombs and floor graves as well as what is referred to as the “Tomb of the Martyr.” There is an altar there and services were conducted in the catacombs.

On a path nearby is the site where the Venus de Milo was discovered in a niche by a farmer in 1820. She was promptly packed up and moved to the Louvre, but a replica is there and another replica can be viewed in the Archaeological Museum of Milos in Plaka.

On to the island of olives

 Let’s talk olives. Kalamata olives, grown on Kalamata, are smooth, meaty, tasty wonders of nature. They are great in Mediterranean dishes, but are equally at home gracing your charcuterie board. The island provides just the right soil, moisture and sun mix for the olives.

Kalamata Olive Tree

Don’t pass up a chance to tour an olive grove here. It will be a fun and insightful as well as delicious experience. You can learn about olive oil production from cultivation to tasting, have guided tours of ancient and modern olive mills and do some quality tasting. The oil fro Kalamata olives is considered one of the finest of the extra virgin olive oils. It is buttery, spicy and fruity.

Port in Kalamata

But Kalamata is not just about olives. One of Greece’s chief ports, it has a great history.

The Benakeion Archeological Museum has artifacts dating back to the Roman Period. The Modern Greek Art Gallery has paintings, sculptures and carvings.

Spend some time in King George Square. There are fabulous coffee shops and the nearby pedestrian walkway has shops, boutiques and cafés.

Kalamata and a view of the Messinian Bay

The Kiriakou Mansion is now home to the Folklore & History Museum. It houses relics and exhibits from the 1821 Greek War of Independence. The Railways Park museum has exhibits of old motorcycles and railway wagons.

The Castle of Kalamata is a 13th century citadel built over the ancient city of Pharal. The impressive arched entrance features two carved lions and you can get great views of the city and sea beyond.

Historic Church of the Holy Apostles, Kalamata

The Church of Ypapanti is the first church to be built outside of the castle walls and residents began settling around the church. It has twin bell towers, grand domes and the icon of the Virgin of Ypapanti is inside. The Church of the Holy Apostles is a gorgeous church built in the Byzantine period.

Almyros Beach, Kalamata

One of the island’s neoclassical mansions houses the Victoria Karelias Museum of Traditional Greek Costumes. There are 80 complete traditional Greek outfits from the 19th century and beyond. Uniforms, weapons and military objects from the 1821 Greek Revolution to the Balkan Wars as well as WWI and WWII are exhibited at the Kalamata Military Museum.

Mountains just outside of Kalamata

An upcoming blog will detail what awaits travelers to some of the other Aegean destinations. But you can certainly talk to a GetAway Travel advisor now about joining our 2027 group, or booking a trip of your own! We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

 

 

Eat well, drink well in the Veneto region

Leave a reply

Sure, pasta is king in Italy, but in the Veneto region, pasta takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. You are on the coast, so there is plenty of great seafood, including squid ink risotto and fabulously prepared octopus. You could be basking in the glory of the region and enjoying great food as well as Prosecco and special wine selections if you travel with GetAway on our group trip to the Greek Islands followed by our bonus Veneto trip in 2027.

Balcony at Juliet House – Verona

Salute! Great drinking choices

 The Veneto region is slightly smaller than the other wine-producing regions in Italy, but it generates more wine then any of the other regions. It is a geographically transitional area so the climate differences create areas where specific grapes can flourish.

Vineyard landscape in Soave

The region can be split into three different producing areas. The Northwest is the foothills of the Alps. The cooler climate gives fresh, crisp whites. In that same area, just north of Verona is Valpolicella and the subregion of Valpantena — giving us fruity intense reds, like Amerone. Traveling east of Valpolicella is Soave, home of the dry, white wine.

Vicenza gardens

Vicenza and Padua are in central Veneto and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Nero are produced there.

Anytime is a good time for Prosecco

Prosecco reigns supreme in the Northeast region. In 2019 this area received a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for its continued stellar production of Prosecco. Sweeter than champagne with bigger bubbles, Prosecco holds the lively taste of apple, pear, lemon rind, perhaps a hint of light flowers and even tropical fruit.

Sunset on the Piave River

The Northeast corner on either side of the Piave River, in the areas of Verona and Treviso is also the leading producer of Grappa. Using grape seeds, stalks and stems left over from the wine-making process, gives us the intensely flavored Grappa. Designed to be sipped after a hearty meal, it is served in a smaller glass and has a higher alcohol content than wine.

Grappa!

There are a number of wine route/Prosecco tours you can take, or take advantage of the many vineyard tours available in the region.

 

Aperoal Spritz is great on a hot day

We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the spritz. Order it in any bar, it is three parts Prosecco, and two parts Aperol (an Italian bitter make with gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — it has an orange hue) or two parts Campari (a pinkish bitter made with fruit and herbs).

 Mangia! Savor the cuisine

 Sure, you can get the traditional pasta in the Veneto region, but it takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. The pasta you get here is bigoli, a thick spaghetti made with buckwheat or whole wheat and eggs.

Bigoli pasta with duck meat sauce

Polenta is served as a side dish with meat and game. It looks like grits when served, or is formed, then sliced and toasted. It is made of corn ground finer than traditional polenta found in the United States and it is often white rather than yellow.

Mixing up a big batch of Polenta

There are substantial rice paddies around Verona where the paddy fields are flooded and irrigated by the River Tartaro. The rice is cultivated along strict guidelines and carries the country’s status of PGI or Protected Geographic Indication.

Radicchio Rossi di Treviso

Radicchio, grown near Treviso, also carried the PGI designation. Radicchio Rossi di Treviso is unique to this region. It can only be grown in limited areas around Venice because it requires nutrient-rich soil and spring waters. It also has strict cultivation processes including harvesting. Certain varieties are harvested and the heads tied and kept in darkness for two weeks. Another cultivation method involves harvesting and then washing the heads over and over again in tanks of water

It is served grilled with olive oil, which removes much of the bitterness, as a poultry stuffing, with pasta or in a tapenade.

Treviso

If you are offered the chance to have a dish that includes white asparagus, don’t pass it up. It has a milder, sweeter flavor than its green counterpart. It grows underground in the perfect sandy soil around Treviso.

Mussels

You’re near the coast, so expect mussels, crabs, anchovies, sprat (herring-like fish) and octopus.

Sarde in Saor

A great bonus is that there is a variety of fabulous cuisines in different areas. In Vicenza, try the asiago cheese. Creu is a hot horseradish sauce that usually accompanies meat and sometimes stew. It is made by mixing fresh horseradish with bread crumbs, vinegar and olive oil. Baccalà alla Vicentina is stockfish (an air-dried variety of fish) cooked with onions, olive oil, sardines, milk, cheese and parsley served with polenta.

Pandora cake

Enjoy rich stews in Verona with polenta as a side. Brasata all’amerone is beef braised in wine and pastissada de caval is a horse meat stew. For dessert, Pandora, a brioche style cake dusted with powdered sugar.

Oca

Padua options include lots of tasty chicken dishes as well as Oca in Padovana, a rich goose dish. You’ll find horse meat on the menu here, included with pasta, risotto or cut in small dried strips and put on pizza.

Squid ink Risotto

Depending where you are, you can order bigoli in salsa which is pasta in anchovy sauce, risotto al Nero di seppia which is risotto with cuttlefish ink, sarde in saor (sardines preserved in a sweet and sour marinade) and baccalà mantecato which is (oddly enough) North Atlantic salt cod soaked, cooked in milk and then pounded with olive oil to make a mousse or pate. It is eaten with polenta.

Focaccia

Risi e bigi is risotto with peas and pancetta. Try the focaccia, oven-baked bread topped with a variety of ingredients. Salvia Fritter is fried sage leaves. The leaves are lightly battered in a batter of flour, olive oil, egg whites and salt, fried and then sprayed with salt.

Cichéti, small plates like tapas

 Bar patrons out in the afternoon take advantage of cichéti at bars called bàcari. With a glass of wine or a spritz, enjoy small servings usually accompanied by some type of crostini. Polpettes are one of the popular items, small meat or fish balls. A version of sarde in saor is also served. It is usually sardines fried in oil and then flavored with raisins, pine nuts and white wine vinegar. It hits all the notes — sweet, savory, sour and salty. There may be sandwiches, little squids, hard-boiled eggs, olives, vegetables and items served on polenta.

Hungry for travel? Thirsty for adventure?

GetAway Travel has just the answer. Give our travel advisors a call and start your vacation plans, (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

The Beaujolais Region: France’s “Little Tuscany”

Leave a reply

The Beaujolais and the Burgundy regions of France are great spots for adventure and including them in a fabulous river cruise is a great idea!

The Beaujolais Region is nicknamed “Little Tuscany” because of its rolling hills covered with vineyards, quaint villages, great wine and beautiful castles. It reminds visitors of Italy’s lovely Tuscany.

Beaujolais, France

Time slows down and enjoyment ramps up when you take a cruise on the Rhône River through the area. No packing and unpacking, leisurely tours through stunning countryside and exciting dinner fare that reflects what is available in the area. Have we piqued your interest? Good! GetAway Travel advisors can help you pick the best cruise to take you through the Beaujolais area.

Let’s talk wine!

 There are wine tours and wine tasting options available everywhere your ship docks, but there’s always something to do if you don’t want to drink wine. The wines are nicely aged reds, easy drinking reds and even some sparkling and white options. The diversity of flavors and textures are due to the different soil types, elevations and microclimates and the gamay grapes.  Each wine carries the distinctive influence of the specific vineyard where it is produced.

The Beaujolais region is larger than any single district of the neighboring Burgundy Region. The vineyards here stretch for four miles along the Saône River. The granite-heavy soils and warmer climate make it ideal for producing lighter flavored grapes and fruity, zesty wines.

There are three distinct wine areas in the region.

The granite soil of the Region of the Crus adds a complexity to the wines which are usually aged for several years. The Beaujolais Villages area has granite and sandy soil. Here, more structured and textured wines are produced and they fare well aged between three and six years. The Regional Appellation Beaujolais area produces very fruity red wines with the help of the clay and limestone soil. Beaujolais Nouveau, white Beaujolais as well as sparking wines are produced here.

Golden Stones Country

 Thirty-nine villages in the southern part of the Beaujolais Region are in the Pierres Dorées (Golden Stones) area. Ochre colored stones were used to build homes and even castles in this area and when the light hits the golden limestone, they shimmer and glow. Oingt, Ternaud, Marcy, Charnay, Jarnioux, Pommiers and Bagnois are among the villages in this area.

Village Oingt

Oingt, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, overlooks the Azerques Valley and surrounding mountains. Panoramic views from the village include the Beaujolais vineyards, the Rhône and Lyon.

Window in Oingt

There are perfectly preserved half-timbered homes here and charming artisan shops. More than a dozen artists live and have workshops in the village creating everything from distinctive jewelry to kintsugi, a Japanese pottery. The history of mechanical music instruments is chronicled at the Mechanical Music Centre Museum. There are phonographs, music boxes and mechanical pianos.

Village Oingt

The Fortress from the Middle Ages used to be the home of the Lords of Oingt. The museum has fossils, carved stones, ceramic items, documents from the middle ages and panoramic views of the area.

Continue reading →

Berlin blends past and present

Leave a reply

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner!“    John F. Kennedy, 1963

Oberbaum Bridge, Berlin

Germany’s capital city has a vibrant cultural and art scene. It has overcome its difficult past with resiliency and grace — preserving iconic landmarks and not forgetting lessons taught by history. It is nine times bigger than Paris, has more waterways than Venice, three UNESCO World Heritage sites, its own beer, its own snack and its own doughnut! How about it? Ready for GetAway Travel to make you a Berliner?

Hit the island for some museum time

 Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site with five world-class museums encompassing 6,000 years of history and art. Museum Island, or Spree Island, is in the heart of Berlin between the River Spree and Spree Canal. It is easily accessible.

Museum Island

With five museums to choose from, you can pick your art interests. One of the museums, the Pergamonmuseum, is closed until 2027 for renovations. But there are plenty of options in the other four.

Altes Museum in Winter

The Altes Museum was built by order of King Frederick William III and its considered a major example of German Neo-classical architecture. Here you can find Greek antiquities Fromm the 10th to the First century. There’s early portraits of Caesar and Cleopatra, stone sculptures, vases, craft objects, jewelry, gemstones, coins, urns and tablets.

Classic hallways of the Neues museum in Berlin

The Neues Museum building is a blend of old and new. Heavily damaged during WWII, the remains were used in the new construction. There are bullet holes, chipped paint and the ceilings are partially destroyed. The Egyptian collection, including the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti are housed here. Included in the 9,000 objects are a burial chamber from Egypt dating back to around 2500 BC, art, artifacts, statues, vessels and manuscripts.

Alte Nationalgalerie museum

Art from the period of the French Revolution and WWI are in the Alte Nationalgalerie museum. Browse among paintings done by Adolph Menzel, Sabine Lepsius, Dora Hitz, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne.

Bode Museum on Museum Island

The Bode-Museum is renowned for its Byzantine art and coin collection. There are glazed terracottas by Luca della Robbia and masterworks by Donatello da Settignano.

Berlin Palace (Humboldt Forum)

The Humboldt Forum is also on Museum Island. Originally built as an imperial palace in the 15th century, it now has exhibits dedicated to human history, arts and culture.

Many of the artifacts are displayed in context. The Berlin Global exhibit examines Berlin’s impact on the world referencing categories such as entertainment, revolution and fashion. A Nature Exhibit looks at the interplay of climate change and democracy around the world.

More museums, historic sites, palaces

Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace was build in 1699 as a summer retreat for Sophie Charlotte, wife of King Fredrich I. The massive, multi-wing Baroque style structure as damaged in WWII and then restored and rebuilt through several decades. The reconstructed rooms feature ornate plasterwork, gilding, frescoes, all from original designs. There are priceless collections of silver, crown jewels and royal porcelain. The 18th century paintings include works from French masters. The gardens are fabulous. Designed in English and French styles, there are fountains, ponds, tree-lined paths and hedges.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most famous monuments. The Neo-classical arch is the only one of 14 that remains in the city. About a block from the arch is the Holocaust Memorial or the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The maze of 2,711 concrete blocks is a stark, modernistic, abstract reminder of the 2.6 million Jews who were victims of the Nazis. There is a museum/information center at the memorial.

Section of Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall Memorial is an indoor/outdoor museum and memorial. The one-mile stretch along Bernaur Strasse is an open air exhibit that includes photographs, signs and a preserved piece of the original wall. One of the original watchtowers is there and an indoor center has exhibits chronicling the historical and political events around the wall. The East Side Gallery is also a wall memorial. The stretch of Berlin Wall runs parallel to the Spree River. The concrete canvas has murals from 118 artists from 21 different countries.

Berlin Cathedral on the river Spree

The Berlin Cathedral is a 19th century church that fronts the Spree River on Museum Island. It is one of the largest religious landmarks in the city. The Protestant church is a mix of Italian, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. The cathedral’s most striking feature is the 374-foot high dome topped with a gilded cross.

Entertainment, snacks, etc.

 The Mauerpark Flea Market is located in Wall Park, The largest and best outdoor market in the city gets going every Sunday. Visitors can buy anything and everything there and also enjoy jugglers, have a picnic and participate in the giant karaoke party at Bearpit Karaoke.

Escalators at KaDeWe

Speaking of shopping, Berlin is home to Europe’s largest department store, KaDeWe.

The Berghain used to be a power station. This gigantic warehouse draws techno music fans from all over the world for three-day pulse-pounding music extravaganzas every weekend.

Giraffes at the Berlin Zoo

Tiergarten is a 519-acre oasis of green that used to be a royal hunting ground. Now its a series of lakes, bike paths, English gardens and the very romantic beer garden, Café am Neuen See. The Berlin Zoo is here and there’s a great panda exhibit.

Prater Garten is Berlin’s oldest beer gardens. Sit at the communal tables or benches, people watch and enjoy a bratwurst, Bavarian pretzel and, of course, a beer. Bratwurst is ordered either spicy or standard.

Berlin has its own specialty beer, Berliner Weiße, this slightly sour brew is made with wheat and barley. It has a high acid content and can be served with a shot of either raspberry or woodruff syrup.

Currywurst is a Berlin snack with a cult following. Get it at restaurants or from street vendors. The fried sausage is sliced, doused with tomato sauce, dusted with curry powder and served with bread or a roll. There is a vegan option.

If you are a late-night snacker, there are 1,000 kiosks around the city that dispense food, snacks and beverages.

Ooooh, pretzels, warm, golden brown served plain or with coarse salt. They are also served with cheese sauce, sesame seeds and even sunflower seeds.

Berliner Pfannkuchen

Then there’s the Pfannkuchen. This sweet, yeasty beauty of a filled doughnut is known as a Berliner or Krapfen in the rest of Germany. Topped with powdered sugar, the pfannkuchen can be filled with chocolate creme, but is most often filled with marmalade.

Ready to “be a Berliner?” The travel advisors at GetAway Travel can help you with that! We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Amalfi Coast features lemons, olives, wine and fabulous cuisine

1 Reply

The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its contribution to Mediterranean culture. That includes the lemon experience, “heroic” vineyards and olive groves and the world’s oldest pasta. If you’re looking for a vacation with fabulous scenery, lovely historic sites, and tours of terraced lemon and olive groves along with vineyards and unforgettable cuisine, GetAway Travel stands ready to help.

The lemon experience

 Lemons from the Amalfi Coast are distinctly different from those hard, waxy fruits you pick up at the grocery store. Amalfi lemons are knobby, football-shaped juice-packed wonders of nature. Fragrant with a balanced acidity that doesn’t evoke the lemon-sucked pucker, some are so sweet they can be eaten like apples. They can be purchased at street vendors cut up, sprinkled with a little salt, lightly drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with mint.

Their leaves are wrapped around vegetables and limoncello cheese is famous around the world. Traveling along the coast you can buy cookies iced with lemon frosting at street stands as well as granita di Limone which is sort of like a lemon slushy.

The Aceto Family is your host when you take the Lemon Experience tour in Amalfi. They have been growing lemons for six generations. Learn the art of terraced farming, also called “heroic” farming because the rocky, steep terraces don’t lend themselves to mechanical equipment. It takes heroic human effort to cultivate and harvest the lemons as well as olives and grapes at other farms on the coast. The produce is loaded into crates which are then brought out on the shoulders of employees and family members.

The Museum of Arts showcases the tools of the trade for lemon growing. There is equipment and documents that show the evolution of terrace farming. Take a cooking class and learn how to make the classic lemon tort or lemon jam. At the end of your tour or class, try the limoncello and its variations. Buy and take lemons with you, or ship them. And, for heavens sake, don’t skip the classic delizia al limone even if you are counting calories. It’s a lemon delight of sponge cake filled with lemon cream, brushed with limoncello and topped with lemon-based whipped cream.

Delizia al limone

Olives and wine

 Get your olive fix at Sorrento Farm. Olive grove tours are conducted under the olive trees, very fitting, and you get the history and an idea of the tradition and farming techniques. See tools from the process, everything from pruning to pressing, and finally the end product.

Sample a variety of olive oils, the farm produces 20 or so, flavored with oranges, truffles, chillies and, of course, lemon.

Terraced vineyard on Amalfi coast

Small-scale wineries are scattered throughout the coast. The indigenous grapes have a unique flavor due to the sea breeze, volcanic soil and heat of the sun.

Vietri sul Mare

Le Vigne di Riato is a lemon grove and vineyard directly above Vietri sul Mare. You can take a tour there or at Cantine Apicella or Ettore Sammarco near Ravello. Marisa Cuomo Winery is the best known winery in the area. Run by women, their wines celebrate the grapes of the region. Tenure San Francesco features wines from recipes that are 100 years old. Guiseppe Apicella is an organic boutique winery that only produces about 19 bottles of wine a year. It is in Tramonti.

You can taste a wide variety of coastal wines at the Le Tre Sorelle Wine Room in Positano. Ask for a flight or try one of the more than 40 wines sold by the glass.

Pasta, seafood and marvelous cuisine

 One of the oldest pastas in the world, ndunderi, a ricotta and pecorino cheese gnocchi, UNESCO recognizes it as a pasta created during Roman times. Minori lays claim to being the birthplace of the pasta, but there are fabulous dishes throughout the region.

Scialatielli ai frutti di mare

Scialatielli ai frutti di mare is a pasta dish packed with seafood including redfish, blue fish, shrimp, sea urchin, octopus, mussels and usually several more additions depending on the catch of the day. The pasta noodles in this dish are made with milk instead of eggs.

Colatura di Alica

Cetera, in addition to being the tuna capital of the world, supplies the area with Colatura di Alica, a fish sauce condiment made by stacking anchovies, fish, salt and flavorings together. This amber-colored liquid has an intense flavor and is used in spaghetti dishes.

Rigatoni alla Genovese

Rigatoni alla Genovese is cod cooked in oil and lemon peel and Zuppa di Cozze is a tasty mussel soup.

Parmigiana di melanzane

Parmigiana di melanzane is an eggplant dish where the vegetable is layered with tomato sauce. But you can also get eggplant in a sweet dish. Melanzane al cioccolato is eggplant and chocolate and depending where it is ordered, it could be layered with ricotta or a liquor and flavored with cinnamon, lemon and candied orange.

Moscardini

Moscardini con le patate is baby octopus simmered in red wine vinegar combined with potatoes boiled in saltwater. It all comes together with white wine, olive oil, herbs and garlic. Try cuppo d’Amalfi from any street vendor — fried fish and squid served in a paper cone.

Gnocchi

Is the Amalfi Coast calling to you? Then make a call to GetAway Travel! Call (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Take a sun-kissed getaway to the Amalfi Coast

1 Reply

Town of Amalfi

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Italy’s Amalfi Coast is about 35 miles of magnificent scenery that has retained the traditional Mediterranean atmosphere and charm. It carries the UNESCO designation because of the cultural value and historic authenticity of the area. The winding road along the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Campania Region shows off sheer cliffs, terraced olive, grape and lemon groves, lovely small beaches and about a dozen pastel-colored seaside towns each with its own distinct attributes. Are you thinking about a trip where every stop has fabulous views and cuisine — then GetAway Travel is here to plan your vacation to the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi

Sorrento has a fascinating mix of architectural styles as well as a fabulous selection of woodworking shops where you can browse for gifts, or just admire the craft. The city prides itself on its devotion to woodworking, so much so that visitors are invited to check out the Museo della Tarsia Lignea or the Inlaid Wood Museum.

Sorrento

If you are impressed by the inlaid wood panels that adorn the Sorrento Cathedral, you can learn the history as well as the ins and outs of the craft at the museum. There are furniture pieces made over the last century as well as a wing dedicated to contemporary pieces.

Sorrento Cathedral – interior

Explore the cloister near the Church of San Francesco. The cloister was built on the ruins of a monastery and it incorporates a variety of architectural styles including some from pagan temples. The columns on the many arches are all different heights and each is also decorated differently.

Cloister of San Francesco

The Museo Correale di Terranova is not what you would expect — it is in an 18th century villa and the collections are from two counts whose collections evolved into a museum. There’s examples of intricate marquetry, Japanese, Chinese and European ceramics, clocks, fans, Murano glass, porcelain, Bavarian crystal and ancient and medieval artifacts.

Positano

Visit Positano, the choice of the rich and famous. Picasso, Steinbeck and Elizabeth Taylor all extolled the virtues of the scenery and beaches. Perched on the cliffs are multi-colored villas — who knows what celebrity you might see!

Santa Maria Assunta, Positano

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano is visible everywhere because of its stunning majolica-tiled dome. Inside the lovely church is the famous Black Madonna icon. Dating back to the 18th century, it was supposedly brought to the village by pirates who crashed on the shore.

Continue reading →

And… Finland happiest country again!

1 Reply

With apologies to the theme parks featuring that character with the mouse ears, Finland is the happiest place on earth. This is the sixth year the UN World Happiness report has given the country top marks for health, income and social support. The country, famous for reindeer, saunas, licorice (yes, really!), Santa and Northern Lights has low income inequality, low levels of corruption, great public transit and publicly funded health care. So ditch the mouse ears for now, and let GetAway Travel plan you an adventure in happy Finland. 

 Unique history, architecture in Helsinki 

 Finland’s capital is on a peninsula and it boasts one of the world’s largest sea fortresses as well as, museums, a fashionable design district and the Helsinki churches. Turku, the oldest city in Finland, is near Helsinki. The Turku Archipelago (archipelago — a string of islands in the sea or a stretch of water) is nearly 155 miles long and you can travel from island to island with the help of bridges, ferries and cable ferries. 

Helsinki showing cathedral and market square

The city of Helsinki is surrounded by lovely wooden-house neighborhoods like Provoo, Rauma, Loviisa and Naantali. Walk down gravel or cobblestone thoroughfares and marvel at the quaint homes as well as small shops and museums that feature unique products. 

A short trip from Helsinki, either by ferry or by water bus in the summer, takes visitors to Suomenlinna, one of the world’s largest sea fortresses. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built in the 18th century. It’s built on eight islands and there’s a total of 290 buildings including six museums at the fortress. 

Suomenlinna

The Suomenlinna Museum showcases the history of the 270-year-old fortress. Ehrensvärd chronicles the history of the Swedish control of the fortress. One hundred years of war and peace is detailed in exhibits in the Military Museum’s Menege. There are two buildings in this museum because Finland fought for independence in four wars. A WWII restored Russian submarine, the Vesikko, is in one museum and visitors can see where the 20-member crew lived and worked.  

Susisaari Island

The history of customs and smuggling is on view in the Customs Museum on the fortress’s Susisaari Island. 

Young at heart, or a youngster, there’s something for everyone at the Toy Museum. Browse collections of old dolls, antique teddy bears and toys from the 19th century to the 1960s. There are special collections of wartime toys and games.  

Turku Archipelago

You can shop for nostalgic souvenirs and have a pastry with a cup of coffee or tea at the Café Samovarbar. 

Helsinki Market Square and Presidential Palace – and bonus swimming pools!

Speaking of shopping, Market Square, also known as Kauppatori in Helsinki has a huge range of products from produce, flowers, baked good and there’s also an arts and crafts market. It is one of the most popular markets in northern Europe. 

The Helsinki Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world and there are more than 150 different animal species and 1,000 different kinds of plants on the zoo’s 52 acres. 

Uspensky Cathedral

Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral is on the East side of the harbor and you can’t miss the 13 green-topped spires. It is western Europe’s largest Orthodox Church and the interior is a marvel of gold icons, crosses, altars and lavishly decorated arches. Temppeliaukio Church is an architectural marvel. It is carved into solid rock.  

Temppeliaukio Church – stunning!

Visit the Turku Castle in nearby Turku. Also known as Turun Linna, it is famous for its ornate banquet halls and two dungeons. 

Turku Castle

Continue reading →

Rich history, vibrant culture await visitors to Poland

Leave a reply

Stunning architecture, rich and haunting history, picturesque cities, lovely seaside beaches, breathtaking mountain ranges, birthplace of vodka, all those phrases and more describe Poland.  If pierogis and Poland are in your travel plans, GetAway Travel is happy to plan your adventure. 

Speaking of Pierogis…

 Warsaw: a thriving capital city 

 With 1,000 years of history behind it, Warsaw boast unique architecture, culture and museums. 

Warsaw was the last residence of Polish royalty and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural significance. 

Warsaw Royal Castle and Old Town

The scars and legacy of World War II are visible around the city. 

A 15-or so minute walk from the city’s Old Town to the Monument of Ghetto Heroes at the site of the Warsaw Ghetto. It is near the Warsaw Rising Museum which offers a fascinating personal glimpse into the Polish underground that took a stand against the Nazis as they sought to destroy the ghetto where they had herded the Jewish population. 

Rappaport memorial to Jewish uprising in Warsaw ghetto during World War II

It is not the same as the POLIN Museum which is about the same distance in a different direction from Old Town. The POLIN Museum covers the broader aspects of the history of Polish Jews through exhibits and collections.  

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Krakowskie Przedmieście is the mile-long avenue that links Old Town and the Royal Castle. Along the avenue is some lovely Baroque churches, Warsaw University and the Copernicus Science Centre. The famous scientist and mathematician was born in Poland and he formulated the theory that the earth revolved around the sun. In the middle of the centre is a planetarium devoted to space and how it impacts our lives. 

Christmas Decorations on Krakowskie Przedmieście

The Royal Castle was the official residence of Polish rulers for centuries. It dates back to the 14th century. It’s a pretty spectacular building with a tower in the center and it has served as a design inspiration for other buildings in Warsaw. 

The Royal Castle and Sigismund’s Column – called the Kolumna Zygmunta

Wilanow Pałace is one of Poland’s most important monuments. Originally built as a residence for King John III Sobieski, it “survived” WWII because its furnishings and art were removed and then reinstalled after the war. It now functions as a museum which showcases the country’s artistic and royal heritage. 

Wilanow Palace

 The National Museum in Warsaw has seven permanent galleries with a great collection of works from European artists including Botticelli, Tintoretto, Van Dyck and Rembrandt. The galleries have artifacts from ancient civilizations as well, including from Egypt. 

Yes, the Vodka Museum in Warsaw which chronicles the history of the beverage DOES have tastings at the end of the tour! 

Traditional Polish appetizer – Pickled herring, cucumber and vodka shots

 Picturesque, quaint Krakow 

 In medieval times Krakow was the national capital, now it is second to Warsaw. But it has one of the first Old Towns in the world to be honored by being designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Krakow is a fabulous blend of architectural styles, from Gothic churches to Renaissance palaces to Baroque style buildings. 

Krakow, Poland

Just outside of Krakow is the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a UNESCO site because it’s the only mining facility that has operated continuously for 700 years. There are 2,350 chambers and almost 150 underground miles of tunnels. The two miles open to the public have statues, chandeliers, chapels, floors and artwork carved or entirely made of salt. The grand chapel is dedicated to Princess Kuga whom miners believed brought them good fortune. The chapel is still used for weddings and concerts. 

Wieliczka Salt Mine – a must see!

Another UNESCO site near Krakow is Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious of the Nazi death camps. A stop there is thought-provoking, somber and emotional. The camps are a heart-wrenching piece of history. Schindler’s factory is open to the public. Oskar Schindler is credited with saving more than 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories. His main factory is now a fascinating interactive museum which chronicles the history of the city from 1939 to 1945.  Continue reading →

Zurich Switzerland and surrounding area an eclectic mix of modern and medieval

Leave a reply

Switzerland is famous for Heidi, cuckoo clocks, chocolate, the Alps and gorgeous alpine scenery, but it also leads the way in the finance industry as well as quality of life attributes. Indeed, Switzerland was ranked No. 1 in the Best Countries poll in terms of quality of life. It’s the fifth time it has ranked first. If you would like to experience Switzerland first hand, GetAway Travel is here to lend a hand with your trip arrangements. 

Heidi is having a very relaxing vacation!

 It’s not just about the mountains 

 Switzerland is a central European country surrounded by France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Lichtenstein. It actually has four national languages, German, French, Italian and Romanish. Ian Fleming featured the beauty of the alpine scenery in his Bond movies and Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein lived in Switzerland. Europe’s highest train station is here, which is no surprise because of the mountains. In addition to its fabulous cuisine, snow-capped mountains and clear blue lakes, the country’s cities are leaders in art and culture. 

And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the festivals because Switzerland loves a party and loves to invite everyone. 

Grindelwald Switzerland

Of course there are food festivals and, of course, snow and ice festivals. The Grindelwald World Snow Festival features artists and sculptors who specialize in ice work. The International Balloon Festival is held during the winter. About 20 or so countries participate and just imagine the sight of 80 plus hot air balloons rising over the snow-topped mountains. 

Interlaken Switzerland

Summer festivals run from March until September. The Interlaken Music Festival highlights classical music and brings orchestras and soloists from around the world. There’s the Montreux Jazz Festival, the National Yodeling Festival and open air music festivals in Frauenfeld and Lumnezia attract artists such as Depeche Mode, the Killers and Eminem. 

If you yodel, you are a yodeler

Start your Switzerland journey in Geneva, or on the other end of the country in Zurich. You won’t be disappointed. 

 Bern, the capital, is named after a bear 

 Established in the 12 century, legend has it the city was named after a bear because a nobleman who founded the city was startled by a bear in a nearby wooded area. 

Bern Switzerland

It’s a charming city and the cobble-stoned medieval Old Town or Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The almost four-mile covered pedestrian only street has quaint shops, bars and cafes. The independent shops sell coffee, couture clothing, books and antiques. There are a series of fountains down the street that feature famous religious, folk and biblical figures. 

Above Old Town’s western gate is a clock tower or Zytglogge. The ornate 15th century clock has revolving figures including a parade of bears, jester and a golden rooster that come out and twirl around at four minutes to the hour. Above the clock tower’s entrance is an astronomical clock that has stationery and moving spheres that replicate the constellations with the earth at the center. It also shows the moon phase, current zodiac sign, sun rise and sun set and the date. 

Continue reading →

Switzerland’s captivating charm and mountain scenery

2 Replies

Matterhorn peak reflected in Lake Stellisee, Zermatt, Switzerland

Switzerland is a pretty amazing place with some pretty amazing scenery, neighbors, history and cuisine. You can find cuckoo clocks, cheese, chocolate, castles and charm throughout the country. The Alps run through most of the country, but the most photographed mountain is the Matterhorn. Near the border of Italy, the Matterhorn is the mountain of mountains. GetAway Travel can map you an itinerary around the Alps, around Zurich or from one end of Switzerland to the other. Let’s talk about Geneva, Lausanne, Zermatt and, of course, the Matterhorn. 

 No, you don’t have to ski to love it 

 Of course you can ski in Switzerland, and snowboard, cycle, skate, snowshoe and hike, but you can also enjoy amazing scenery that will give you a lifetime of memories without doing any of those things. If you want to start with the Matterhorn, then Zermatt is where you want to be. There are more than 200 miles of slopes in the area for all levels of skiing expertise, but there are also more than 60 mountain trains that you can ride to get you close to the slopes without touching a ski.  

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is home to some fabulous international resorts and part of its charm, in addition to the shops, chalets and restaurants, is there are no gas-powered vehicles. You park in a huge lot three miles from the city and get shuttled in. 

Ski Slopes in Zermatt

The huge, graceful Matterhorn dominates the area. Described by some as a pyramid and others as a jagged tooth, three faces of the mountain are in Switzerland and the fourth face is in Italy. 

Climbing it is an adventure to be braved only by the experienced. There are plenty of other challenging climbs that guides can direct you to. 

Gronergrat Railway

But don’t skip the marvelous chance to experience the mountains and the scenery — take a train. The Gornergrat Railway is Europe’s highest mountain railroad. It takes 45 minutes to take the six-mile trip up the east side of the Nikolai Valley and then around the sweeping curve up the slope of the Riffleberg. The rail line also runs above the Gorner Glacier to the Gornergrat Observatory giving visitors a spectacular look at the Matterhorn as well as the glacier. 

Gronergrat Observatory

The Matterhorn Museum details how the history of Zermatt is tied to climbers. A relief of the Matterhorn shows the routes climbers take, there are artifacts and exhibits and outside is the quirky Marmot Fountain. Bronze marmots cavort in cascading water and behind the fountain is a life-size bronze of a large, horned mountain goat. 

Continue reading →