Travel Deals To Turkey

Todays guest post is brought to you by our friends at the Iuve Travel Agency.  They  have some amazing travel deals so be sure to check them out.

Blue mosque, Istanbul, Turkey Postcards by prophoto
View other Turkey Postcards at Zazzle.com

Are you looking for a last minute travel deal in Turkey? Are you looking for a last minute holiday deal in Europe? Are you looking for an airplane holiday in Europe? When in Romania, why not book with the most experienced travel agency for outgoing travel in Cluj Napoca? Since May 31, 1993, Iuve Travel Agency prides with several firsts in the Romanian travel market. Iuve Travel is the first tour operator that promoted last minute travel deals for Tunisia in Romania in 1994, or for the Dominican Republic in 1995. Also,Iuve Travel is the first authorized travel agency dealer for a German corporation, Neckermann Reisen (Thomas Cook Ag. since 2001), beginning to March 1998. Learn about our last minute offers here.

Venice Travel

The best time to travel is the summer time (May to June), however even though traveling in fall and winter season, you can also enjoy the beauty of Venice. The cheapest season to travel to Venice is September to April, there is a lot of hotel offering discount. If you are not on tight budget, traveling to Venice in the season of Venice's annual Carnival celebration is very nice and funny. You can see photo venise here. The Cities come alive during festival, with people wearing exquisite mask and costume. 

What has not been written about the exceedingly romantic city of Venice? Well, one thing that often might be overlooked is that Venice would be a magnificently beautiful city even if it wasn't built on the green-blue water of a lagoon. The quaint streets, the famous landmarks and Venice's rich history and culture all make it a top-draw destination. Remember, this was a vibrant, world-renowned trading city even in Shakespeare's time – so famous in fact that the bard could write his play The Merchant of Venice without even travelling there. See more information at Venise tourisme

Gourmet travel and the Amazing Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

Italy, Bologna, Sunny Day with Portico di San Post Card by danitadelimont
See more Terry eggers Postcards

Wonderful Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale (Balsamic vinegar) has been made and enjoyed in Modena for centuries.  True Balsamic is an artisan product which has been made in Modena as far back as 1046, when in it mentioned in a document. It is not a wine vinegar which has been matured, as many people think, but is made quite differently. 

 The basic ingredient is grape Must (juice) from predominantly Trebbiano grapes (sometimes with the addition of Lambrusco grapes).  The must is simmered (never boiled!) for a lengthy period to reduce and concentrate the liquid.  This liquid is then allowed to ferment and mature for a minimum of 12 years in the case on a “true” Balsamic.  It is a laborious process!  From the first, largest cask, the precious liquid is gradually  transferred  each year to ever-smaller casks, each made of a different wood such as chestnut, cherry wood, ash, oak and mulberry, each of which imparts its’ own flavour and character to the vinegar.  When the first portion is removed from the largest (Mother) cask, this cask is topped up with Must from the latest harvest, so the production is a continuous cycle. 

 During the maturation, a portion of the liquid evaporates (the Angel’s share!) and the final product is rich, thick, dark and luscious!   This genuine article will be marked “Tradizionale” or D.O.P. and, as you can imagine, it is very expensive. It is only produced by 2 consortia, Modena and neighbouring Reggio Emilia.   The two regions use different ways of designating the ages of their product, Reggio Emilia by label colour (red label – at least 12 years; silver label at least 24 years, gold label 28 years) and Modena by cap colour; a cream cap means that the vinegar is at least 12 years matured while a magenta cap would indicate the product is extra old, in excess of 25 years maturation.

It would be considered terribly wasteful to cook with this product!  It is generally used, by the drop…no more…to dress a lovely slice of Parmesan cheese, top a sliver of prosciutto or to anoint some fresh strawberries.  The very old product – matured for more than 20 years sometimes, is even drunk as a Digestif!  This is truly Italian “Black Gold”.

A cheaper version does exist, thank goodness!  Cheaper Aceto  Balsamico di Modena IGP is made along the same lines as described above, but often wine vinegar is added and this product is not aged as long;  the result is still delicious but not as intense.  Sometimes these versions are flavoured with caramel and thickened to imitate the original, so it is worth checking the label for ingredients.  This is the type of Balsamic widely sold outside of Italy and used for salad dressings, marinades, etc.  You can easily make your own Balsamic Reduction from this vinegar, evaporating off some of the liquid to concentrate the flavours. It could never be the same as “Tradizionale”, but it is a great kitchen stand-by!

Less than 13000 litres of “Black Gold” is released each year, making it very valuable indeed.   The best way to learn even more about this famous Italian export is to take time to visit a producer. Balsamic vinegar tours are available from  Bologna, Parma, Reggio Emilia and Modena to show you how it is made and more about its’ history.

Indias Golden Triangle In All Its Colors

It is a nation of over a billion souls, 6 major faiths, 18 official languages and 1,652 dialects. It is diverse in the obvious as well as the subtle. India is not a destination for everyone – but it is a destination that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. It is the acid test for every traveller. You will either love it or hate it, but one thing is assured – it will change your perspective on life forever. It’s the destination that you cannot wait to leave when you’re there… and the one which you cannot wait to come back to once you’ve left. You will find peace within its chaos, calm within its intensity, and discover yourself after feeling truly lost. No other nation polarizes and contrasts all at the same time quite like India.
 
“India’s Golden Triangle In All Its Colours" is the definitive travel guide for any aspiring traveller about to embark upon a journey of a lifetime to India. It is based on the personal experiences of travel photography enthusiast Debashis Talukdar who was born in this land of colour and ritual, who chose to make his home elsewhere in the world, and who has now developed a new found appreciation for his nation of birth.

Purchases can be made at: Buy The Book Here
 
Discount code: For a limited time only, Blurb is offering 10% off orders over $50, 15% off orders over $100, or 20% off orders over $150.* Just use the code SUNNYDAY at checkout through February 28, 2013. 

*Offer valid through February 28, 2013 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid for printed books only. A 10% discount is applied to your product total with a minimum order of USD $50, a 15% discount is applied to your product total with a minimum order of USD $100, or a 20% discount is applied to your product total with a minimum order of USD $150. Maximum discount is USD $100, GBP £65, EUR €75, CAD $100, or AUD $100 off product total. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders. 

Tuscany’s Top Children-friendly Destinations

The Italians are generally a very friendly, accommodating people, especially to children. It is no wonder then that visitors to the country, particularly in the region of Tuscany, find their stay quite pleasant and memorable. In Tuscany, there are several destinations or institutions that are especially made for children, whether for the purpose of education, art or simply entertainment.

We are all aware of the fact that having children with us in our travels means we have to put up with not only their constant demands for attention and care, but also to attend to their needs and ensure their safety. Moreover, your children may have an entirely different idea when it comes to which places to visit or what things to appreciate. That is why when planning your vacation, keep your itinerary flexible. Also, when travelling in Tuscany, villas are often found in locations that are conveniently accessible to many tourist spots. So it’s all a matter of identifying which places are best for children. One suggestion would be to take the kids to see the world famous Pinocchio statue located in Collodi Pescia or the Pinocchio park as you would say in English.

Pinocchio Statue in Collodi Pescia, Tuscany, Italy

Ever since Carlo Collodi’s tale about a wooden boy that magically comes to life was published in the 1880s, Pinocchio’s name has been on the mouths of children for several generations. So, with Pinocchio as known among children as he is, visiting a park dedicated to the author and the magical wooden boy will surely delight Pinocchio’s young fans. Located in Collodi Pescia, the Pinocchio Park (or “Parco di Pinocchio di Collodi” in Italian) is a wonderful place designed around the themes and visuals that can be found in the tale. Tuscany villas are often found in locations a stroll away from the park, which ensures the minimum hassle if you have children in tow. Don’t miss the park’s special entertainment offerings for children, such as a puppet show, art workshop and other fun activities.

Nashville TN as a Wedding Destination

Recently I have been hearing about people having destination weddings in the Nashville, TN area.     It is a beautiful part of the USA and is near the Smokey Mountains. The mountains would be an amazing backdrop for wedding photos so I can understand why brides would choose the Nashville area for a destination wedding.  Check out this postcard I found online of the Smokey Mountains.

If you are having a wedding in Nashville, Tennesee and need a wedding photographer be sure to check out Michael Doerman Photography

What a Cool Name for a Guesthouse?

 I was recently researching cool travel places online and came across the Cool Guest House in Chiang Mai, Thailand.   What a cool name for a guest house?

I found this place really interesting?    Check out the photo of the bar?  Doesn't it look just so tropical? And cool too!