Slow and South: Spain

Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Costa de la Luz

I kind of feel like not going to Malaga, Marbella and that sort of places. For some reason I want to go somewhere vast and wide, where I can enjoy the horizon, possibly away from any cheerfully drinking crowds. Therefore, I looked at the other side of Andalucia - a bit north and south of Cadiz which is the airport I intend to use. I also want to pamper myself because I'm so deserving it. LOL Which explains why you'll find my list of hotels more on the luxury side this time although I've tried to include some reasonably priced aparthotels and villas too. However, the list is missing the hundreds of family hotels and very nice hostels you can find in the fishing villages in this part of Spain. I think even in July and August you can safely land there without being afraid there will be no place for you to stay. I have also stayed as close to the beach as possible because I'm feeling lazy lately and am not willing to drive or walk too far this summer. My focus is strictly on sleeping, sunbathing, writing, reading and exercising. :)

*Image courtesy of www.resortsinspain.com

Here is what I've bookmarked for myself in terms of accommodation, going from north to south (above and below Cadiz on the map):

Islantilla
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/parador-de-mazagon.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4;srfid=ad2a24bad818b5dc9c7c45a6c664ca9aX66

Mazagon
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/parador-de-mazagon.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4;srfid=ad2a24bad818b5dc9c7c45a6c664ca9aX66
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mazagonia.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4;srfid=ad2a24bad818b5dc9c7c45a6c664ca9aX72

Matalascanas
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/vime-tierra-mar-golf.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4

Sanlucar de Barameda
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/abba-palacio-de-sonanes.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4;srfid=ad2a24bad818b5dc9c7c45a6c664ca9aX14

*Image courtesy of www.peninsulartours.com

*Image courtesy of www.sobrecadiz.com

*Image courtesy of www.travel-destination.net

*Image courtesy of www.littlehotelsofspain.co.uk

Roche
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/confortel-calas-de-conil.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4

Los Canos de Meca
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa-meca.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4

Zahara de los Atunes
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/colores.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4;srfid=ad2a24bad818b5dc9c7c45a6c664ca9aX21
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/avenida-playa.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4;srfid=ad2a24bad818b5dc9c7c45a6c664ca9aX37
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hacienda-cabo-de-plata.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4;srfid=ad2a24bad818b5dc9c7c45a6c664ca9aX73
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hotelito-el-varadero.en-gb.html?aid=339753;label=slbr_costa-de-la-luz-bEA9pCEgZvsfDIkd_JWN7gS10713955905;sid=9a932d14b8a98e8def62e4820b6b835f;dcid=4
Although the links here are from Booking.com, I strongly suggest you check Expedia, Orbitz and Venere too, together with your local operators. Promotions are different and at this price it's worth to do some research.

*Photo courtesy of www.sovereign.com

For general info on the Cadiz province, check: http://www.andalucia.com/costa-de-la-luz/cadizprov.htm , especially the links on the right which will guide you through the villages, give you info on entertainment options and weather (wind there can be really bad!).

For more hotel deals and some guidance, check:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HACSearch?geo=187431&inDay=9&inMonth=03%2F2012&checkIn=dd%2Fmm%2Fyyyy&outDay=11&outMonth=03%2F2012&checkOut=dd%2Fmm%2Fyyyy&searchAll=true&adults=2&cat_1=1&zff_0=1&geo=187431&refineForm=true&hs=&sortOrder=popularity&availability=&tb=0&add_location_input_filter=&prng_0=0&l1currency=1&propType=on&trating_0=0&zfc_0=0&zfa_0=0&unear=&snear=&nameContains=&zfb_0=0&zfb_0=0
http://en.escapio.com/list/225/07.08.2012/14.08.2012
http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/europe/spain/costa-de-la-luz/where-to-stay
http://online.destinia.com/online/index.php?request_type=1&tipo_de_buscador=2&country_code=&direct_pay=&remite=destinia&referer_page=http%253A%252F%252Fdestinia.com%252Fen%252Fbeaches&location_code=COAST_66343&multicon=&gestor_id=&access_intermediary_type=&login_user=&type_form=&num_rooms=1&num_adults=2&num_children=0&num_babies=0%2C&num_rooms_1=&num_adults_1=&num_children_1=&num_babies_1=&num_rooms_2=&num_adults_2=&num_children_2=&num_babies_2=&language_code=en&checkin_day=7&checkin_month=8&checkin_year=2012&checkout_day=14&checkout_month=8&checkout_year=2012&regimen=&selected_regimen=&category=&requested_regimen=&date_unix=1330857593&filter_name=&serial=-&action=request_availability&search_string=&search_num_results=&search_id=&rand=257855992&av_t=&customer_nationality=30044
http://holidays.easyjet.com/HolidayResults.aspx

*Image courtesy of www.secretdestinations.com

For holiday rentals try:
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Spain/Costa-de-la-Luz-Cadiz/Costa-de-la-Luz/r2502.htm
http://www.casamundo.co.uk/spain/costa_de_la_luz/
http://www.gamasl.co.uk/Spanish-vacations/Costa-de-la-Luz.htm

I haven't decided yet. I'm not sure which part of the coast I want to go to and I'm not sure what I'm willing to compromise with - the comfort of the hotel or the distance from the beach... Or airport. It's very tough to be lazy these days, very tough. However, the area is not only breathtakingly beautiful but very rich in culture, so a trip or two to the nearby historical cities will be mandatory! :)

*Image courtesy of www.europropertyspain.co.uk

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Places in the south...

While searching for our best vacation spot this summer, I found lots of places and websites which I'm sharing here for you to use, if you wish so.

Airplane tickets, hotels, etc.:
http://www.farecompare.com/
http://www.skyscanner.com/
http://www.rumbo.com/
http://www.edreams.com/
http://www.cheapoair.com/
http://www.onetravel.com/
http://www.lowcostholidays.com/

Spain - from Almeria down to the Malaga region, this is all Andalucia:
About Almeria: http://www.tucotours.co.uk/almeria_information_flights_carhire_hotels.htm#Hotels%20in%20Almeria
Almeria and Andalucia: http://www.andalucia.com/
Almeria: http://www.expedia.ca/daily/enc4105/destinations/insiderContent.asp?TAID=187429&categoryId=s2&categoryName=Background&mcicid=dest.More.BeforeyouGo
Traditional house for rent in Almeria: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p606135a
More vacation rentals: http://vacationrentals.travel.yahoo.net/listings/location-Almeria-Spain
Aparthotel in Almeria: http://almeria.torreluz.com/en/apartahotel
Hotel: http://www.citymar-hoteles.com/es/reserva-menu?county_hotel_select=c_117&action=result&county_id=117&inday=25&inmonthyear=2010-08&outday=4&outmonthyear=2010-09&adults=2&children=1&user_language=es
Andalucia: http://www.andalucia.org/
Holiday rentals Almeria: http://www.spain-holiday.com/rentals/spain/holidays/areas/12/Almeria/0/Almeria/0/Andalucia/Almeria.html
One of the best hotels in Almeria: http://www.hotelcatedral.net/en/desayunos.html
Good one too: http://www.hotelcostasol.com/en_habitaciones.html
About Almeria: http://www.idealspain.com/pages/places/almeriaprovince.htm
Holiday rentals in Roquetas de Mar: http://www.spain-holiday.com/advancedsearch.aspx?&&PageId=1&SearchId=-491159174
Car rental: http://www.goldcarrental.com/
More rentals in Aguadulce and Roquetas: http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/roquetas-de-mar.htm
Again: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/roquetas-de-mar/
Good hotel in the very beginning of Roquetas de Mar: http://www.hoteldonangel.com/es_roque/index_roque.php
Aparthotel in Aguadulce: http://www.venere.com/serviced-apartments/aguadulce/serviced-apartment-aguadulce/?sd=05&sm=09&sy=2010&ed=15&em=09&ey=2010&pval=2&rval=1#information;eur;swa20100905,20100915,2,1
Car rental: http://www.carhire3000.com/
Costa Almeria rentals: http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Spain/Costa-de-Almeria/r335.htm
Local news in English: http://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/costa-de-almería/
More rentals: http://www.rentalia.com/holiday-rentals-almeria/
And more: http://www.rent-holiday-homes.com/Vacation-Rentals-Almeria-rr489_p1.html
Rental cars: http://www.holidaycars.com/
More cars: https://www.economybookings.com/33/index
And more: http://www.solmar.es/carhire/booking.php
Almeria B&B: http://www.madrugada.org.uk/
Accommodation in Nerja, an amazing place to visit: http://www.hotelopia.com/spain/costa-del-sol/nerja/
Beautiful hotel in Nerja: http://www.hotelparaisodelmar.es/en/contact
Hostels in Nerja (if you need WiFi, hostels are your best bet): http://www.hostelbookers.com/results/index.cfm?intCountrySelect=45&intDestSelect=2868&intpeople=1&straccommodationtype=hostels&hasSearched=true&intCountryID=45&intdestinationid=2868&intpropertyid=-1&strSearchType=freeText&strkeywords=Nerja%2C+Spain&fuseaction=accommodation.search&dtearrival=06%2F09%2F2010&intnights=9&languageid=1
B&B Malaga region: http://www.tapaluz.com/contact.php
Hostel in Torremolinos: http://www.venere.com/hostals/torremolinos/hostal-los-geranios-del-pilar/?ref=1276871&#information;eur
Holiday rentals (scroll down): http://www.bbqspain.com/
Andalucia B&B directory: http://www.allbedandbreakfast.com/bed/towns.php/region/Andalucia/country/Spain
B&B Malaga region: http://www.cerrodeloshigos.com/
Another one: http://www.casaannabedbreakfast.com/bed-and-breakfast-prices.php
Another: http://www.casa-colina.co.uk/#/food-drink/4532736004
More: http://www.papajohnsplace.co.uk/default.htm
More: http://www.homelidays.co.uk/EN-Holidays-Rental/es_andalucia_malaga_es/hote_comares_r13.htm
Villa and B&B: http://www.villaandalucia.org/rooms.htm
One more: http://www.bedbreakfasttraveler.com/Spain-bed-and-breakfasts/Escuela-La-Crujia_Velez-[-]-Malaga.htm
More: https://www.bedandbreakfastrooms.com/Europe/Spain/Malaga/2521/email/
http://www.bedandbreakfastrooms.com/Europe/Spain/Malaga/1739/
http://www.elazulspain.com/
Hotel in a traditional Andalusian village: http://hotelbandolero.com/?page_id=30
Another one: http://www.posada-laplaza.eu/index.html
Cheap hotel in a nearby resort, Torre del Mar: http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hotel-Miraya/Torre-del-mar/7171
About Torre and other resorts in the area: http://www.absoluteaxarquia.com/areas/torredelmar.html
Good value in Rincon de la Victoria resort: http://www.hostelbookers.com/property/index.cfm?fuseaction=accommodation.search&isdynamic=1&strsearchby=destination&straccommodationtype=hotels&intdestinationid=9146&strdestination=rincon-de-la-victoria&strdestinationparent=&intnights=9&intpeople=1&dtearrival=05/09/2010&fromPropertyNameSearch=0&intpropertyid=19854
B&B in Torrox: http://www.spain-holiday.com/rentals/accommodations/properties/4085/Torrox/6/Malaga/0/Andalucia/Torrox.html
Very cheap hostel in the resort of Benalmadena: http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hotel-La-Plazoleta/Benalmadena/12077
B&B: http://www.finca-bonilla.eu/index.php?page=definca&lg=uk
Hotel: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.hotelmoclinejo.com/ing/instalaciones.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmoclinejo%2Bhotel%26hl%3Den&rurl=translate.google.ca&usg=ALkJrhgrgBSgkaKt5Mm7pNZlr42XosC5Yw
About Malaga and the region: http://www.malaga.us/towns-cities/almayate.asp

Spain, Costa Blanca
Alicante, Gandia: http://www.alicante-spain.com/gandia.html
B&B: http://www.villavista.eu/index.php

Spain, Balearics
Menorca rental: http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p449779

A little Italy :)
Viareggio: http://www.belvedere-albergo.com/eng/offers.html
Holiday rentals: http://www.lillymare.com/en/marina-di-massa.php
Villa: http://www.villabagnara.it/B%26B_/inglese_1.html
Villa and B&B: http://www.villa-flora.it/villaflora/
Liguria holiday rentals: http://www.blumenriviera.co.uk/Italy/Italian_Riviera/Recherche.php?spr=2
Sicily vacation rentals: http://www.worldescape.com/sicily-vacation-rentals/
Hotel in Florence: http://www.venere.com/bandb/florence/bandb-the-five-star-villa/?ref=750723#information;eur;swa20100905,20100914,2,1
B&B in a little known area: http://www.venere.com/bandb/fasano/bandb-masseria-casanostra/?ref=750723&sd=05&sm=09&sy=2010&ed=14&em=09&ey=2010&pval=2&rval=1#information;eur;swa20100905,20100914,2,1

That's all for now, folks. :))))

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Love disputes

We've been arguing on an Internet forum for ages which one is worth more - living with someone who makes us feel comfortable, yet lacking the passion, or going for the "big love" risking to never find it. I, naturally, tend to defend the latter option. The thing is I've been in a relationship with someone who was stable, wealthy, secure, mature, and all other "ure" things but wasn't exciting me in any way. I did my best, I swear. Five years is a long time to check out if it's possible or not. And I'm positive it doesn't work. All women I know in such relationships are turning into neurotics with the time. I just don't believe it's in our nature to live our lives thinking on a daily basis that something is missing and something is passing us by. It's poison that works slowly but with the time increases its impact and our blood turns into venomous substance that kills our heart. Up to the point when all those involved in the relationship develop such an apathy that nothing, not even a sudden spark come from nowhere, is capable of restoring the harmony anymore. And this is not about the natural process of "falling in love - love - respect - friendship". This is about the lack of spark/passion/love from the very beginning. I don't believe such sacrifices are worth. Many of those on the forum say it's worth for the security of the children, yet I can't see it. I believe happy children are raised by happy parents. And vice versa - if the parents are unhappy, the children won't be either. This, of course, leads to the fundamental question "in a marriage for the sake of the kids" or "out of the marriage for our own sake". Call me "selfish" but I definitely prefer the second option. If a marriage has reached the point where the kids are the only reason for its existence, it's a done deal.

OK, I was asked why would anyone enter such a relationship at all. From my experience, this usually happens as a result of a trauma - any kind - emotional, psychological, physical. It starts when we are vulnerable and think compromising the spark will lead to a blissful calm existence. Also from my experience, it's a delusion.

On a more positive and summerish note, I think I found a place in Spain where we'll go at the end of August. Screw the economy, the seaside is always healing. :))))

Still no lyrics for a beautiful song in my head. A couple of lines floating around and no more. Terrible.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Once again about vacations...

More and more often I think of packing our stuff... The question being where and how. Seems like emptying the credit card will be the number one choice. :)))) Irresponsible? I know. I admit. I readily accept the title. Yet, I can't live in silence. In emptiness. Hitting the road brings fresh air. Having been on a Spanish wave lately, may be Spain is a good idea after all. Any recommendations will be welcome. I already wrote about Vejer here, the Costa del Sol looks promising too. I want to see flamenco. Malaga may be... Sevilla... Ah, already feel better. So, what's the fashion in bathing suits this summer? :))))

P.S. Was asked to write song lyrics. Excited and thrilled but lacking any inspiration. One more reason to look for the lost muse on a night beach under a deep blue sky. ;)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Add some cinnamon

It's not raining, it's pouring. The forecast promises me sunshine on Wednesday... Wednesday! I have a toddler, a soaking wet cat, and a book to write waiting for my attention. The toddler is a winner as I promise him a journey to sunny places. Here we go. :)

I make hot milk and add a teaspoon of instant coffee to mine, a pinch of hot chocolate - to my son's. As always, I take the little jar with cinnamon from my wooden shelf with spices and open the lid. Here the summer has been hiding, I knew it! The warm scent surrounds me with stories of long desert nights. The locks of sirenes twirl around my hands, their song tempts me to escape, now! The gentle powder in burnt ochra draws pictures in the cups, here a map, there a house, the waves of an ocean, dusty paths among flowery fields... We travel again on a rainy gloomy afternoon riding clouds of cinnamon and playing in puddles of warm fresh milk. Somewhere it is sunny, I know it. We just have to find the place.

It was sunny two days ago in lovely Avignon: http://avignon-in-photos.blogspot.com/2010/05/morning-jog-anyone.html

In beautiful Barcelona people were having drinks on the squares: http://www.barcelonaphotoblog.com/

In Lisbon soccer fans in short sleeves celebrated not only hot summer but hot winning scores: http://lisboa366.blogspot.com/

In romantic Venice the heat is felt in the heart more than on the skin: http://venicedailyphoto.blogspot.com/

*Photo courtesy of www.aideabroad.com

But my personal choice today is Vejer de la Frontera - a village in Andalucia, Spain's flamenco hot spot. You can see some of the accommodations offered here: http://www.spain-holiday.com/advancedsearch.aspx?provinceCosta=1&typen=3&bedrooms=-1&find=1&x=65&y=20#&&PageId=1&SearchId=2015126807

Vejer is located in the Cadiz county, in Andalucia, in South Spain, ten kilometres inland from Costa de la Luz - the road and the well known coastal line. This fact itself saves Vejer from the crowds and grants the village its serenity so attractive to celebrities which can be spotted hiding in the shades of the marble arches. Vejer is perched on a hill and has tons of beautiful sights to offer. Among them one of the most remarkable squares in Spain - Plaza de Espana, shaded by palm trees, with a pretty old fountain showing traditional ceramic Andalucian frogs. The village is quite a big one with about 13,000 residents. It has been declared a key tourist spot many times. Its history has been influenced by the presence and reign of Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Arabs. The Arabs conquered Vejer at the battle of La Janda, and the village remained in Arab hands for more than five centuries.

*Photo courtesy of www.vejerdelafrontera.co.uk

From Plaza de Espana you can enter the old walled town through Arco de la Villa (an arch). The ancient part is absolutely breathtaking, with quiet cobbled streets, hidden patios and pretty white houses displaying iron wrought balconies and splashes of colorful geraniums. Vejer was officially declared a Historical Artistic Monument of National importance.

One of the most attractive things about this part of Spain is, of course, the amazing coast. Vejer is only about ten kilometres from El Palmar Beach. Nearby are located the Capes of Trafalgar and Roches. Be aware that in July-August the crowds are huge and not always polite. Otherwsie, the beach offers all kinds of services including lifeguards and first-aid medical staff, restrooms, showers, tourist information and camping facilities as well as numerous beachside restaurants serving fresh fish and drinks. However, as a well known explorer of countrysides, I still prefer eating away from the pricy and stuffed beach street. Having tapas in a cafe in the village itself not only satisfies the hunger but creates friendships and brings memories. :)

Another popular beach - Caños de Meca offers excellent conditions for sailing, surfing, wind-surfing, and water skiing, being protected by the capes. During the winter months, the beach the Playa del Palmar is a nature reserve, ideal for long walks. My favorite time is the early autumn - in September the water is almost hot, yet the crowd is far easier to manage.

*Photo courtesy of www.holiday-rentals.co.uk

Historical sights not to be missed:
- Plaza de España

- Church of El Divino Salvador
- Casa de Mayorazgo
- Casa Marquez de Tamaron
- City Walls and Arches

Boating and yachting marinas near Vejer: http://www.andalucia.com/water_sports/marinas/home.htm
Golf courses in the Cadiz county: http://www.andalucia.com/golf/courses-cadiz.htm
Natural parks in Cadiz: http://www.andalucia.com/environment/protect/cadiz.htm
Natural parks and gardens next to Vejer: http://www.andalucia.com/province/cadiz/vejer/parksandgardens.htm
Official site: http://www.vejer.com/
Good page for tourists: http://www.idealspain.com/pages/places/vejer.htm
Entertaining info: http://vejer.costasur.com/en/bars.html
A great blog written in English and Spain by ex-pats: http://grupocalifa.wordpress.com/

Enjoy! And don't forget a pinch of cinnamon even on a gloomy afternoon. :)

Friday, July 3, 2009

Forbes advises women how to pack for a trip

I got my regular newsletters from Forbes today and, among the others, there was this article about what and how women should pack for a weekend trip. Apparently, the author had never really tried to look stylish in a dress which she wore on the beach. It may be only me, but after a few hours on the sand, my dresses look like I took them straight from the garbage can. Any suggestions about using them with high heels and hitting the bars in the evening make me giggle. No doubt I would attract quite a bit of attention. Not the attention I'd like to though.

Then came the advice for the sunscreen. It says you should not trust only your cream/foundation SPF but use regular sunscreen under the make up. I would say: don't use foundation on the beach at all. From my experience, for some reason unknown, foundation on the beach not only makes the skin dirty and causes black spots (no matter what the manufacturer says) but also makes the tan uneven, and can grant you with spots which resemble the aging stains. Not nice at all.

Next I found this article about Provence: http://www.forbestraveler.com/provence.html . This is written by a/someone who had many bad things happening to him/her in Provence or b/has never been there.

Please, don't trust him/her. Avignon is absolutely beautiful but you have to know where to go. Reading only brochures doesn't help. One has to follow the locals and read tons of reviews to get an idea about a city/village. Aix-en-Provence is great but by no means greater than Avignon. If you go to Aix having read only tourist brochures, you can find it impersonal too. And there are so many beautiful villages in Provence which are never listed in these articles or brochures! Skip the Saint remy and Gordes, look for a detailed advice according to your own preferences! Or ask me!

Now, having said all that, what would you pack for a two week vacation to Provence? Would it be different from what you'd pack for Cote D'Azur? Italy? Spain? In other words, does the destination define what we pack?

I have built my own system for packing - I grab two things of each section of my wardrobe. It means I have two shirts, two tops, two pairs of pants, dresses, skirts, beachware, etc. The underwear, of course, is a separate category. Then I get flip-flops, day shoes, walking shoes, and two types of evening shoes. If I go to France, scarfs are my best bet! Sun hat - a stylich big one for the Cote D'Azur + big classic sun glasses. For Provence, Italy and Spain - a cute little panama hat + edgy sunglasses.

Another separate category is cosmetics - I always have tiny creams, lotions, toners in my hand bag. The rest goes to the luggage. I never leave without my usual shampoo as I find different types of water damaging my hair. I always get conditioner and one of the "stay on" conditioners for the beach. Sunscreen - I will disagree with the 30 SPF al the time. It takes away the ability of the skin to build up its own screen. I start with 25SPF for the first three-four days. Then I always switch to 20SPF. Gradually I reduce the number to 12-15SPF the last three-four days. The result is I never burn and always get an even, great looking tan.

And my baby's staff is a whole other story! :)))

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A vacation project in progress and sleepelss nights

Well, I'm on my way to finish a business project through the website - a vacation research and planning for an old lady, willing to travel alone... Sounds sad in the beginning but on afterthought, why not? Isn't travelling alone a special, dedicated journey? I can relate to that 100%. My best travels, those that left lasting memories, were the travels I undertook alone. It may be only me, it may be the way I see things where everyone else doesn't see anything, but I loved my travelling alone and was never lonely.

Paris was such a travel - the first time. It was then that I found the bookinists, the artists in Monmartre, the little Moroccan restaurant which I still visit regularly, the Italian pizzeria where the wine gets better each year, the buses to take me to Versaille and Fontainebleau, the squares where the Three Musketeers spent restless nights having duels, the paved narrow streets with wooden doors in stone walls behind which I could clearly hear the whisper of long women dresses...

I think it is the perception. We are all so different. If the person we are travelling with doesn't see the same things or at least similar, the trip can easily turn into a nightmare. A fairy tale lover travelling with a master of logical thinking? I've been there. It doesn't work.

Anyways, I'm happy. The old lady is going to a quiet Provencal mansion where she will enjoy home made food, nice little excursions, village market, some wine tasting, and even sunbathing. All this in the company of a few American ladies around her age. I would have arranged some Spanish time for her too, or Portugal but it's too hot and heavy for her. The pine trees next to the Mediterranean will be better. I did such a good job, very proud of myself :))

And it's already Canada Day, so happy one to all celebrating out there! I'm off to finish the "One Year In Provence" by Peter Mayle. Being on the last few pages, I find "A Good Year" much better although my favourite book related to South France remains "Chocolat" by Joanne Harris. She should have stopped there. "The Lollypop Shoes" was not good enough, in my humble opinion.

Good night to all the world, sleep well and dream of moonwalks, waves, and secret paths in night gardens.

Slow and South