| aroma tours ® |
| newsletter august 2005 |
|
THIS ISSUE
====================================
Welcome
==================================== A warm welcome to all of the members of our Aroma Tours newsletter in more than 40 countries around the world. Robbi and I have been back for almost a month now after a wonderful series of tours in Tuscany, Turkey and Provence and finally have time to share some of our adventures with you. Once again we have experienced many joyful and memorable moments with our Aroma Travellers and have had the privilege to meet some truly amazing people some of whom we now count as dear friends. We are already well into our plans for next year and the early response has been outstanding with 29 bookings already confirmed. Robbi and I are very excited to see how our passion has grown. Our intention has always been to grow Aroma Tours to the point were we have 10 successful tours a year and it seems that next year this is going to happen for the first time. We have added lots of new photos and updated the information about next year's tours and invite you to visit us at http://www.aroma-tours.com As always detailed information, including pricing and itineraries are available via our information request page at http://www.aroma-tours.com/info-request.htm
Aroma Travellers, Our Thanks
==================================== One of the main reasons that we have continued to grow and flourish is the on-going support we receive from returning Aroma Travellers who consistently make up more than 20% of our bookings each year. Because we will not be offering more than 10 or so tours a year ( to maintain the character and quality of our offerings ), we look forward to this percentage growing in the future. Robbi and I would also like to give our heart-felt thanks to all of you who continue to support us with your kind words and referrals and by spreading news of our tours and retreats amongst your friends. As always, we are pleased to offer a 10% discount as a loyalty reward to those of you travelling with us once again. Latest Photos of our Journeys ==================================== Jim has added some stunning new photos to our site and we hope that you enjoy viewing a few of the lovely places and experiences we shared with our Aroma Travellers this year in Tuscany ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/gallery/aromas-of-tuscany-tour-photos2.htm ) and Provence ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/gallery/provence-tour-photos-2005.htm ). He has also added some new photos of our aspiring and enthusiastic chefs enjoying their Provence cooking class at http://www.aroma-tours.com/gallery/provence-cooking-class.htm Pageantry and the Art of Dolce fa Niete
====================================
Our journey in Tuscany and Umbria this year was a delightful excursion into the world of "Slow Food", culture and the beauty of spring, with its' riot of vibrant colours and wonderful seasonal produce.
The rolling countryside was literally
fluorescent green punctuated with fields of red poppies and yellow
mustard, flowering olive trees, mauve wisteria and egg-shell blue irises.
The aromas of rosemary and sage in full bloom, perfumed our way as
we wended our way from glorious village to delightful restaurant.
Some of the highlights included our visit to
the tomb and little church of St Francis of Assisi and witnessing the pomp
and tradition of medieval pageantry with processions in full costume, flag
tossing and an archery competition between the quarters of the village.
We enjoyed fine wines and laughed our way through many a long meal not the least enjoyable of them being the fruit of our efforts after our cooking class. There is something extra delicious about spaghetti you have moulded with your own hands.
This year we visited a lovely small enoteca in
Umbria and what started out as a 1 hour degustation turned into a
wonderful 3 hour gastronomic adventure. Even then, none of us wanted to
leave - we had experienced that most favourite of all Italian
pastimes, "Dolce fa Niente" ( sweet doing nothing ).
Second Aromas of Tuscany Tour ==================================== Because of the enormous interest we have received for our Aromas of Tuscany Tour, 9-16 May 2006 ( there are currently only 4 vacancies left ) we have decided for the first time ever to repeat a tour in the same season.
Our second Aromas of Tuscany Tour is identical
to the first and will be conducted from 16-23 May 2006. It
commences immediately after the first one finishes.
Bookings are open for both sets of dates and
further details are available at http://www.aroma-tours.com/info-request.htm
If you have not already seen the latest pictures of our adventures in Tuscany please do visit our Tuscany 2005 photos page at http://www.aroma-tours.com/gallery/aromas-of-tuscany-tour-photos2.htm Our Current Booking Status ==================================== We have had an outstanding start to next year's tour season and have already received 29 bookings as well as interest from several special interest groups wishing to join our existing tours next year.
Please note: There is still 1
place available for this year's Bali Women's Retreat, 3 - 10 September
2005.
Bali Women's Retreat
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/bali-women.htm ) 3 - 10 September 2005: 1 vacancy Aromas of Tuscany ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/aromas-of-tuscany-tour.htm ) 9 - 16 May 2006 : 4 vacancies 16 - 23 May 2006: 13 vacancies Turkish Aromatic Odyssey ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/turkish-tour.htm ) 25 May - 5 June 2006: 7 vacancies Flavours of Provence ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/flavours-of-provence.htm ) 12 - 19 June 2006: 13 vacancies Provence Aromatherapy Retreat ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-retreat.htm ) 19 - 26 June 2006: 15 vacancies Heart of Provence Tour ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-tour.htm ) 26 June - 3 July: 14 vacancies Essential Provence Tour
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-essential-tour.htm
)
3 - 10 July 2006: 12 vacancies Bali Women's Retreat
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/bali-women.htm
)
9 - 16 September 2006: 11 vacancies We are encouraging everyone wishing to join us next year to make their bookings as early as possible to avoid disappointment and to help us with our planning. You are able to reserve you place by visiting our booking page at http://www.aroma-tours.com/booking-request.htm If you have any questions or need to discuss your travel plans with us please email us directly at info@aroma-tours.com Turkish Aromatic Odyssey 2006 ====================================
This May once again we rolled in rose
petals, bought spices and carpets, swam in clear Turquoise waters, visited
palaces, marvelled at antiquities, enjoyed massages, hamams and spa
treatments, watched whirling Dervishes, relaxed by the pool, journeyed
through mountains and amazing countryside and were charmed by the warmth
and generosity of the people. A few fortunate souls had the awesome experience
of an early morning hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of
Cappadoccia.
For operational reasons last March we announced that:- "After this year's tour in Turkey we will not be offering our Turkish Aromatic Odyssey for open bookings again until 2008".
Well........immediately after our
announcement, we were inundated with requests from people who had
decided that 2006 was 'The Year' that they were going to join us in
Turkey.
We decided the only thing to do was to quietly
ascertain how keen the interest was by asking them to send in their
bookings for a 2006 Turkish Aromatic Odyssey by the end of August.
As it has turned out we have already received
13 bookings for Turkey next year, therefore we are pleased to announce
that our Turkish Aromatic Odyssey 25 May - 7 June 2006 is back on the menu
and accepting bookings.
In addition, next year we have extended
the tour by one day to allow us to visit to the stunning travertine
terraces of Pamukkale and the amazing ancient city of Ephesus.
Details of the new itinerary and pricing are available via our information request page at http://www.aroma-tours.com/info-request.htm Two Dwights are Better than One ==================================== One of the happiest memories of our Flavours of Provence tour (http://www.aroma-tours.com/flavours-of-provence.htm ) is thanks to Aroma Traveller and now dear friend Dwight Larsen from Minneapolis who as it happens is an award winning costume designer and co-winner of no less than two "Tony" awards.
During the tour, Dwight explained that for him, the two most
important qualities that made travelling enjoyable were
"Fun" and Flavour". Not satisfied to leave it at that the
group challenge was to add a third "F" and after a few
days Greg came up with "Fascination". This led to the creation
of the "Dwight" award for any experience that earned a perfect
score of 10 for each of the 3 F's.
With Dwight as judge, we came close on a number of occasions but it was
the gourmet cooking class with our charming master chef Robert in a
beautiful 200 year old kitchen and the magnificent lunch we enjoyed at
Ousteau de Baumanier that earned us two of these most precious
accolades.
In Dwight's words:-
"Provence had a great effect on me, as I had hoped it would.
For years I have dreamed of going there. Seeing the countryside
and the villages I have read about and imagined. ......I'm in tears
right now as I write this - Why? You gave me the most beautiful
experience I could have ever imagined and I never imagined it. To see
that ever-changing landscape, villages I had dreamed of, market places
I loved walking through and topped off by the Chateau of my
dreams."
Provence Aromatherapy Retreat ==================================== This year's Provence Aromatherapy Retreat ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-retreat.htm ) was once again a great success with many wonderful experiences and inspirational teachings from Dr Penoel, Dr Schnaubelt, Monika Haas and Robbi Zeck N.D.
What an incredible group of people we had
this year ( I know it seems that I forever keep saying this and yet
it is always a true reflection of the group dynamic that happily occurs
every year ). It was especially wonderful to meet Eve Taylor from the
UK, one of the leading identities of aromatherapy from that country.
This year we had our first ever all female retreat and each woman
brought so much knowledge, humour and grace to our week. This
was also the year of "the Canadians" and we especially thank
Trish Green for bringing this lively contingent to the retreat.
There are not words or space here to express
the great joy Robbi and I feel as a result of the continued success of
our retreat. It is also very satisfying to see how people from all
levels of interest and skill were able to greatly enhance their
aromatherapy knowledge and understanding as well as enjoy spirited
and inspiring sharing of information.
Many great things have happened as a result of
people attending over the years and we look forward to seeing more to
come.
The Holy Trinity of Lavender
====================================
The main variety of Lavender cultivated
in Provence is in fact not Lavender at all, but a sterile hybrid
plant called Lavandin.
Lavandin is very rare in the wild and
results from the cross-pollinization of True French Lavender ( Lavandula
angustifolia ) and Spike Lavender ( Lavandula latifolia ). This
rarity is because both True Lavender and Spike Lavender grow in
distinct territories with little overlap - spike lavender is
sensitive to cold temperatures and is unable to survive above 600 metres
or so, whereas true lavender is comfortable above 500 metres and
up to 1,500 metres. This only gives a region between 500 and 600 metres
where both plants can grow and the opportunity for Lavandin to occur.
In all of the years we have
been travelling to Provence we have never been able to find the "
Holy Trinity":- True Lavender, Spike Lavender and
Lavandin growing together in the wild. That is until one day last June
when Jim was journeying about the countryside looking for wild
aromatic plants, sniffing out chemo-types and generally poking about. He
did a triple take as there before him was what was obviously a very
healthy looking Lavandin plant growing happily in the wild. It could only
be there as the result of natural cross-pollination because Lavandin
can only be propagated by cuttings. So with great anticipation the
search was on.
Soon there it was, both parent plants, True Lavender and Spike
Lavender growing inches apart with several Lavandin plants in
view. The French people in the house nearby must have wondered about
this guy yelling yahoo and running around madly photographing grass!
A gentleman by the name of
Monsieur Grosso also came upon Lavandin in the wild but many years ago and
discovered that it produced 4 to 6 times the essential oil of True
Lavender, though not of the same high quality required for perfumery
or aromatherapy. However, since the majority of the Lavender farmer's
customers were only interested in having a Lavender-like smell in their
soaps and detergents etc. most farmers decided to adopt this new plant as
their crop of choice.
Today thanks to the process
of propagation, Lavandin Grosso accounts for 80% of the
"Lavender" crop grown in Provence - each plant the
direct clone of that original wild Lavandin plant.
La Tour d'Argent
====================================
It all began in 1582 in a small inn just outside of Paris on the banks
of the Seine, near the southwest tower of the Chateau de la
Tournelle.
The tower was constructed by Charles V to fortify the existing defences
of Paris and was made from Champenoise stone which due to its' high mica
content would glitter in the sun and became known as the Tour d'Argent (
Silver Tower ).
On the 4th of March, as three gentlemen from Florence sat in the
Inn of the Tour d'Argent, a group of nobles arrived unexpectedly and
amongst them was Henri, King of Poland and France, the third of his name
and last of the Valois. "He had a noble look about him, dressed in
brown velvet with a ruby aigrette in his cap, rings on his fingers, a
long gold chain with the famous Medallion of Musk, a fine sword and the
Order of the Holy Spirit".
Smartly the inn keeper Monsieur Rourteau sent his boys scurrying
off to the kitchen to prepare a meal fit for the King.
The meal began with pressed roe of red mullet, pickled herrings and wine
from Arbois, Lyonnaise soup and pork crackling with onion sauce. As the
kitchen crew were hard at work with spits turning, sauces bubbling,
spoons stirring and cleavers chopping, Rourteau looked with a satisfied
smile into the dining-room to see the King deep in animated conversation
with face aglow.
Now the King had suddenly fallen silent! For a moment Rourteau pondered
what may be amiss? No, it was something at the neighbouring table
that was intriguing him.
The Italian gentlemen were not touching the meat with their fingers, but
rather using strange pointed instruments that their valets had taken
from small sheaths. They were using these instruments to spear their
meat and daintily put it into their mouths. "Gentlemen, what are
these things?" - asked the King. A hush fell over the room as he
spoke.
"It's a new invention Sire called a fork," said one of the
Italians. "It comes from Venice and is very useful as you can
see."
The meal continued with the serving boys bringing in roasted swans,
egrets and flamingos, stewed francourlis with brains, then chickens,
ducks and capons, turkeys and African fowl. Followed by cheese from Brye,
cream with Percin roots, cream with fraisettes, cheese pastries, fruit
jams and cordials, spice cakes, accompanied by eau d'or, candied ginger
and anis.
With one last glass of Cognac this monumental meal came to an end and
the King promised to have some of these instruments made and to return
with the finest company in the French court to inaugurate them.
This was how the fork came to France!
Since that time the Inn of the Tour d'Argent became a meeting place of
noblemen and courtiers and over its long history has hosted notables and
royalty from Philip II of Spain, Catherine de Medicis, Czar Alexander
III and Cardinal Richelieu to Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart,
Prince Charles, Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger......
As we sat after a sumptuous lunch above the Quay de Tournelle on
Jim's 50th birthday gazing over the roofs of Paris with magnificent
views of the Seine and Notre Dame the incredible sense of history and
dedication to the art of gastronomy left us beyond words. This was
an experience worthy of 3 Golden Dwight Awards!!
Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy Retreat
==================================== We are very excited to announce that after 2 years of planning, our Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy Retreat with world renowned medical aromatherapist Dr Daniel Penoel will be offered on the 13th to 20th of July 2006 in the beautiful aromatic countryside of the Drome-Provencale.
Dr Penoel will be for the first time ever,
sharing the full spectrum of his formidable skills and
experience in clinical aromatherapy.
The retreat is designed specifically for nurses and other
suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioners as well as those who have previously
attended our Provence Aromatherapy Retreat.
This will be the most advanced clinical
aromatherapy training anywhere in the world and because of the intensive
nature of the course we will only be offering 15 places to ensure the
optimal experience for all of the attendees.
If you are interested in attending or
receiving more information please contact us directly at info@aroma-tours.com
so that we can further outline the course details and also discuss your
relevant aromatherapy and clinical experience.
The Blossoming Heart ====================================
As you have read in previous newsletters,
Robbi's book "The Blossoming Heart - Aromatherapy for Healing and
Transformation" is currently being published in Spanish and Mandarin
and in addition it is about to go into the printing of its second English
edition. As self publishers we are thrilled with this success and the fact
that it is being sold in 15 countries with more on the way no doubt,
especially once the translated versions are released.
Jim has been busy creating a secure e-store where The Blossoming Heart can be purchased directly on-line or via faxed order at http://www.aromatic-kinesiology.com/blossoming-heart-order.htm When time allows he will also be extending these secure facilities to allow an on-line option for our Aroma Tours bookings as well.
Bali Women's Retreat
==================================== Robbi and our dear friend Sally Rodd are looking forward to our Bali Women's Retreat this September which for the first time will be held entirely in our lovely family owned hotel in Ubud. In addition to extra pampering treatments, this year, we have arranged an evocative and thought provoking session with one of Bali's most celebrated traditional healers who is directly descended from the Javanese royal family. There is still 1 place left for this year and we invite you to contact us directly at info@aroma-tours.com if you would like to share in this wonderful nurturing and nourishing retreat. For more details please visit our information request page at http://www.aroma-tours.com/info-request.htm Some lovely pictures of the retreat can be found at http://www.aroma-tours.com/gallery/bali-women-pictures.htm Australian Aromatherapy Tour 2006 ====================================
We are proud to announce and very excited to
be conducting our first Australian program as a private tour for
a wonderful group from Taiwan in late October 2005. The tour will be
conducted in English and Chinese and will be a fascinating cultural
experience for all of us on the tour. This program has been pivotal
in creating our first Aromatherapy tour in Australia next year.
We have had a lot of people contacting us about our Australian Aromatherapy Tour to be run in October 2006. At this stage we are still finalizing all of the details and expect to have the final dates, prices and itinerary in place by this November. As an overview the itinerary will include the sights of Sydney including some fabulous shopping, visit to Australian Bush Flower Essence headquarters, exploring the aromatic heart of Australia with its beautiful beaches, organic farms, lovely rainforests, delightful coastal towns, local markets, native gardens, tea tree fields, aboriginal culture, distilleries, native medicine and unique wildlife. Not to mention our fabulous food and wines.
There will be more to add in the next short while and in the meantime we invite
you to contact us at info@aroma-tours.com
if you would like to be kept up to date.
Lobster Risotto ==================================== A wonderful delicate dish that will really set tongues wagging at your next dinner party. Lobster and truffle is a combination made in heaven. Ingredients for 4 people 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter 0.25 cup of finely chopped onion 1.5 cups of Arborio rice 3 tablespoons of truffle oil 0.25 cup of brandy 6 cups of chicken stock 1 1.5kg cooked lobster 0.25 cup of chopped fresh Italian parsley Method
A heavenly dish to be savoured with a glass of
Sangiovese or Sauvignon Blanc.
Arranging Your Travel ==================================== To join us on tour all your need to do is make your travel arrangements to meet us at our rendezvous point either with the help of your travel agent, or for the more adventurous, by booking your flights and connections yourselves. All of our rendezvous are easily achieved and naturally we provide all of the information and assistance that you ( or your agent ) requires. Just a reminder that we now have a frequently asked questions page at http://www.aroma-tours.com/faq.htm to help answer the most common questions including how to book, travel arrangements, group sizes..... Previous Newsletter ==================================== Our past newsletter are well worth a browse and are available in our archives at http://www.aroma-tours.com/newsletters Thought for the Day ==================================== "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson~ Our Invitation ==================================== Robbi and I look forward to welcoming you to one of our delightful tours or retreats and invite you to visit our website at http://www.aroma-tours.com for more information about our Aroma Tours as well as the latest photos of our travels in our picture gallery at http://www.aroma-tours.com/picture-gallery.htm As always if you have any questions or if you would like us to assist you personally with advice about your travel arrangements or with any other details please contact us either by email at info@aroma-tours.com or by phone on +61 3 5331 3254 ( afternoon/evening USA time zones, mornings from other countries ).
Warmest regards,
Robbi and Jim Aroma Tours (R) Ballarat Australia p/f: +61 3 5331 3254 e: info@aroma-tours.com w: http://www.aroma-tours.com |
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