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As the years have passed the world has become much smaller. I remember the days when people dressed to go on an airliner, and it had propellers on the engines. To fly over the ocean was incredible, that was the domain of he liners, the United States, the France, the QE II. Remnants of a long forgotten age. The France became the Norway and is currently being cut up into scrap on a beach in the Indian Ocean. The United States is rusting in Philadelphia, I once saw her berthed in Tidewater. The QE II, the last remaining liner is about to become a hotel in Dubai.
There are two successors to this lineage, both Cunard Liners, the Queen Mary II and the Queen Victoria. Both of these have purpose built hulls to cross the North Atlantic, even in rough weather. This is in contrast to cruise ships that are built to ply gentle seas. These cities at sea can carry 1,000s of passengers to exotic ports around the world.
Unlike residents of other countries, United State residents usually do not have a valid passport. Crossing the border to Canada, Mexico or flying to the Caribbean until recently did not require one. Over the past few years, since September 11th, the rules have gradually changed, starting with air passengers requiring passports and slowly adding remaining with all people traveling will need a passport starting this summer. I have actually had a passport for aver 30 years.
With the economy in upheaval as the result of the housing bubble and credit crunch, there are a lot of empty airline seats and vacant hotel rooms. Air carriers are offering discounts to fill seats and hotels are slashing rates. The dollar has gained against the euro since a low from last summer. Maybe now is the time to hit the airport and see the land of your ancestors?
I have been to Italy three times where my maternal relations hail, and would move there if I could. la dulce vita. WOOF! to all those humpy Italian men. I have only been to England once which is the closest to my paternal family, they are from England, Ireland, and Scotland. Hopefully soon I will find out what they really wear under those kilts.
Damron Vacations can help with your travel plans. Whether a cruise close to home, or a European vacation, the agents can assist in making memories to last a lifetime. So, if you do not have a passport, now is the time to get one, and start the process before the summer rush.

Good Friday

With Holy Week coming to an end on Sunday with Easter, what better destination to write about than Rome. The Eternal City. Home of the Catholic Church. Full of HOT Italian men.
Rome was the predominant power at the time of Christ. The Empire stretched form England to north Africa to the western edge of Asia and most of in between. At the time the city was ruled by Caesars, and was a mixture of religions, though mostly pagan. Temples to various gods and goddesses survive to this day, though most are in ruins. One building is relatively well preserved, the Pantheon. The imposing facade with its soaring columns and large dome is breathtaking. The immense dome is an engineering feat. Done as a single pour of concrete, the shell decreases in thickness as it climbs to the oculus. A drainage system in the floor keeps rain from accumulating. And all this built around 200 AD.
The current St Peter's replaced a much older structure with construction starting in the early 1500s. In the over 100 years it took to construct, it had many architects and many variations. Michelangelo was the main contributor to the design, with only the extension of the east end into a long nave being the only modification. The large square directly in front of the entrance was surrounded by a colonnade designed by Bernini in the mid 1600s.
Jumping back to the Roman Empire times, the Roman Forum is a collection of ruins from various temples. The Colosseum is adjacent along with the Trajan Markets. All are feats of constructions and are testaments to the engineering skills of the Romans. Sheer gravity is all that hold the Colosseum up, there is no mortar in its joints.
Modern Rome offers a wonderful array of places to dine. Of course Italian is the predominate cuisine. The various regions of Italy provide a wide variety of menu options with different shapes of pasta and sauces. The section of Trastevere is a great place to wander, window shop and eat. Rome also has a lively gay scene with most of it located near the main train terminal. just bring your Damron Guide.
To get to Rome, call an agent at Damron Vacations. With over 25 years in the travel business, the agents have a vast knowledge of the city. So is ancient wonders, delicious food and even tastier men sounds like a dream vacation, Damron Vacations can make it all come true.

On Line vs With an Agent

There are so many travel websites, booking a trip can be quite confusing. There are sites from the major airlines, discounters, last minute specialists, niche groups to name a few. Which one to use?
The travel sites associated with a major airline are well established. But the main problem is that they only offer flights on their airline and partners. This limits destinations and travel options. Most of the discounters do offer various airlines, but sometimes the flight connections are on different lines and the chance of lost baggage is increased. Plus, the flights and hotel are usually separate reservations. The last minute operators do not disclose flight times and hotel selections until payment is received. This can be problematic if the hotel needs to be in a certain area, or flights arrive by a certain time.
The main drawback to the last minute and volume discounters is customer service. There is usually no phone number to speak to a live person. Everything is done electronically. Changes are either not allowed or extremely difficult to make.
The niche operators while catering to a specific group of travelers or a certain destination, usually offer more options and can better tailor a trip to meet one's needs. Websites like Damron Vacations offer the flexibilty to book on line, or with an agent, same price. The agents are extremely well trained and knowledgeable about the destinations and optional features. The Customer Service Department is willing to work out issues with hotels or flights within established policies.
While Damron is an established name in the gay and lesbian section of society, the hotels offered include major chains in most cities that have an airport. So if the next trip is home to Butte, Montana, Damron Vacations can arrange a flight, hotel and car for a great rate. You will also be offered a selection of flight options based on service to the destination allowing for additional miles for your favorite carrier, the least expensive, or the best flight schedule.

Memories......

One of the few things that can never be taken away from us by another person. Time my dim them, some diseases will make you live in them, but they are always yours. There are things from my early childhood I remember as if they happened yesterday. Memories of my mother are circa 1966 and a birthday party where she decorated cupcakes with colored coconut, ice cream was in individual cups with wooden paddles for spoons, and we played games like pin the tail on the donkey.
There were the trips into New York City to visit my maternal grandparents and the Museum of Natural History. The enormous blue whale is still vivid in my mind. The smell of Italian food cooking at my grandparent's apartment. My grandmother in her wheelchair, a harbinger of my own mom's fate. Summers were spent at Seaside Heights in a rented apartment or house, the nights spent on the boardwalk.
After the move to North Carolina, the vacations to Daytona Beach, my parent's favorite place to visit, the Blue Ridge Mountains. 1973, we were the Griswalds years before Chevy Chase and Company. Mom's Country Squire, yellow with wood siding, Charlotte to San Francisco, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Death Valley(with broken A/C), Bristlecone pine trees, Yosemite. Then the loop through Tahoe, Grand Teton, Yellwstone and the Pacific Coast Highway. My first plane flight.
Senior year in high school was my first taste of international travel. Madrid and Seville with Mrs Cassale. College spring breaks at the beach and Bermuda for my senior year. Tips to Europe after graduation and cruises. Yes, I love to travel.
Along the way I have owned cars, a condo, watches, etc. Most of which are gone, lost or just worn out. But the memories of all those trips and many more will always be with me and are mine to keep. They include the sights and sounds of the destinations, but also the people I with who I traveled. Some are still good friends, some lost to the years. In a way they will always be with me, whether as a high school senior or as they are today.
There was a conference recently where Ryan Howell of San Francisco State University announced the findings of his latest research. Experiences provided more happiness than possessions. The glamor of a purchase might last for three months, but experiences provided happiness long after the actual event. The experiences provided more of a feeling of being alive, and involved social interaction and bonding. By the way, I have no idea what I got at that birthday party.
Let Damron Vacations help you create some memories to keep forever. Maybe a trip to Europe or teh Caribbean, or maybe a trip home to attend a reunion, remember living well is the best revenge. The knowledgeable agents can help make a trip you will remember for a long long time.

Birthplace of the Renaissance

The Renaissance, the Great Awakening. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the late 5th Century, civilization in western Europe fell into the Middle Ages, also referred to as the Dark Ages. During the first few centuries after the sack of Rome, knowledge and society slipped backwards. Under the barbarian's control, Rome fell into ruins, libraries were sacked, and schools ceased to function. Meanwhile the Eastern Empire continues to thrive and advance.
During this period the cities of northern and eastern Europe grew in population. Many of the boundaries in modern Europe were formed in this time period, due to military actions or consolidation of power through marriage. Tales of the riches of the East began to circulate, and attempts to find a quick trade route spurred exploration.
Within Italy, families had once again established fortunes and thirsted for knowledge and art. One famed family was the Medici clan. Thought to be the precursor to modern banks, the Medicis began as money lenders and their wealth grew. Several men were elected Pope, Catherine became Queen of France and is credited with starting French cuisine, but their patronage of the arts is one of the most famous accomplishments.
The wealthy families would support artists to create masterpieces for their homes and estate. Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, da Vinci, Titian. Names that even non art lovers have heard. These works of these early masters are among the most collected and valued today by art connoisseurs.
Along with artwork, churches were built and decorated. Private funds embellished the newly built structures. Santa Maria del Fiori, il Duomo, was the largest cathedral in Europe at the time it was built. Its bell tower and soaring dome still monopolize the sky line of the city. The Baptistery in the middle of Cathedral Square featured bronze doors that inspired awe, even in Michelangelo, and are considered the first masterpieces of the Renaissance.
The Medicis and other wealthy families built large houses in towns that still survive. Older homes feature a rusticated style that display hand hewn stone blocks. Later structures are clad in finished blocks or marble. In l'Academie, David stands for all to admire. Originally meant to adorn the exterior of a Medici city home, it was moved inside to protect it and a replica was erected on its original site. Many other statures still grace the squares, fair maidens, wild animals and warriors(the best ones) lurk around corners. The sculptors of old appreciated the human form and seem to bring the marble to life with bodies carved to perfection.
Also in the larger square are the houses of the growing middle class and smaller neighborhood churches. These are small than the cathedral but no less impressive in their decoration. At Christmas, these square are filled with stall selling decorations, religious items and food. A great way to experience a cities holiday traditions.
The River Arno flows through the southern part of the city, crossed by many bridges. The Ponte Vecchio is the most well known. It was originally constructed by the Romans, they built half of Europe I think. After it was destroyed in 1333 due to flooding it was reconstructed and lined with shops. Originally food stall and butchers, it now features jewelry, leather and other high end items. There is also a hidden passage way installed by the Medicis so they could cross the river unseen.
Florence, just a short ride from Rome or Pisa. Too many sites to list all of them, and gateway to Tuscany. Artwork, food and wine, what more could you want in a vacation? Damron Vacations can help make your Under the Tuscan Sun adventure come true. So call today and start practicing your Italian. Ciao bella!!

Frozen in time

August 24, 79, the day the world ended for Pompeii, Italy. Mt Vesuvius less than 10 miles north of town erupted, sending hot gas, mud and lava towards the doomed city. When the ash cloud first appeared, residents too to the streets with the valuable they could travel. Thinking the beach would be a safe haven, many awaited their fate. The only known survivor was Pliny the Younger, who took to sea, escaping the nearly 900 degree gas cloud. Death came quick to the mountain's victim.
When the eruption finally ended, the lavish villas of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under almost 10 feet of ash and lava. Their secret remained hidden for almost 1700 years. Excavations began around 1748 and continue today. The city was a retreat for Rome's wealthy. Villas were heated with warm air passing through cavities it walls and floors. Water was brought to the city with aqueducts to provide a drinking source and provide for sanitation. Frescoes covered walls and mosaics decorated the floors, sculpture adorned courtyard gardens.
Since most of the destruction came a result of the ash cloud's collapse, the majority of the damage was to the roofs giving way under the weight.
With the excavations, the upright walls, columns and remains of daily life were uncovered. Tracks for sliding doors on markets were uncovered, the remains of the water system revealed themselves, grand villas that occupied entire blocks saw sunlight after almost 2 millennium. A few of the structures have been restored to their pre-eruption state. One a small villa, the other, one of the brothels. Modern man seems as obsessed with sex as much as the ancient Romans. On the tour, the brothel definitely had a longer line to get in that the villa.
The streets were also part of the sewer system, water flowed continuously down the gutters. To keep the population from having to step in the dirty effluent, large stones were placed for stepping stones. The stones were spaced to allow animal pulled carts to pass, necessitating a standard axle length. The groves from so many whens passing between the stones is evident by the grooves worn between the blocks.
Street signs were not as we know them today. They consisted of various mosaic shapes placed at corners. Geometric sunburst of various colors and number of rays, defined the street's identity.
Damron Vacations can help in planning your exploration of the ancient world frozen in time. The Naples/Pompeii area is an easy drive or train ride from Rome for a day trip. Or stay on the dramatic Amalfi Coast and visit the Isle of Capri with its famed Blue Grotto too.