| aroma tours ® |
| newsletter november 2004 |
|
THIS ISSUE
========================================= - Welcome - Many Thanks for Your Support - Memorable Photos by Kimberly Miner - The History of Lavender - Current Booking Status - Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra - The Orient Expressed - Sufi Dervishes - Australian Aromatic Tour - Serendipity in the Luberon - Perfume and Truffles in Tuscany/Umbria - Tartine de Rouget - Arranging your Travel, Bookings etc. - Previous Newsletters - Thought for the Day - Our Invitation WELCOME ========================================= A warm welcome to the more than 3500 members of our Aroma Tours newsletter.
After completing our most successful Aroma Tours season ever this
year, we are looking forward with much enthusiasm to next year's
adventures.
As we begin our 11th year it is a wonderful feeling to see our passion
and hard work flourishing, and a great joy for us to be sharing many
wonderful and memorable moments with our guests from around the world.
Jim is continuing to update and add more new photos to our site and we
invite you to drop by for a visit at http://www.aroma-tours.com
As always our current tour information, including pricing and
itineraries is available via our information request page at http://www.aroma-tours.com/info-request.htm
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT ========================================= We are most grateful for all of the wonderful support that we continue to receive in the form of kind words and deeds, enthusiasm and referrals, and most especially to our returning Aroma Travellers who continue to make up over 20% of our bookings each year, and who's personal recommendations are an important part of our continued success.
Next year we are looking forward to welcoming our first 5th time
return Aroma Traveller!
MEMORABLE PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY MINER ========================================= The latest addition to our memorable photos pages is a collection of wonderful images taken by Kimberly Miner during her time with us on our Heart of Provence tour ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-tour.htm ) a few years back.
She has the most beautiful artistic style and the ability to bring out
a story into every image.
THE HISTORY OF LAVENDER ========================================= Lavender has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians who utilized it for perfume and in the mummification process. The Persians and Phoenicians also used it, and it was Phoenician merchants travelling throughout the Mediterranean region circa 600BC that were responsible for introducing it into Europe.
The Romans used lavender during bathing and in their cooking as well
as for an air freshener. Roman soldiers knowing of lavender’s value
in wound healing, planted seedlings wherever they travelled during
their many military campaigns.
The name ‘lavender’ comes from the Latin ‘lavare’ - to wash,
and the botanical name ‘lavendula’ is derived from ‘livendula’
– bluish.
Medieval and Renaissance peoples used lavender to purify the
environment and protect against infections and there is evidence from
the 16th century that glove makers who used lavender to scent their
gloves, were less likely to suffer from cholera and other diseases
including the Black plague.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries the growing popularity of
perfumes led to a great increase in demand for lavender essential oil
which was used as a floral top/middle note in formulations created by
the perfumers of Grasse.
It was around this time that the broad fields of cultivated lavender (
Lavanderies ) began to appear in Provence and continued to expand over
the years. During our Provence tours we are now able to visit whole
countrysides cloaked in beautiful, purple aromatic lavender fields.
Jim has added a page of some of our lovely lavender images taken
during our tours over the years for you to enjoy at http://www.aroma-tours.com/gallery/lavenders-of-provence.htm
OUR CURRENT BOOKING STATUS ========================================= We are thrilled to see that the strong early bookings for next year are continuing, along with a steady stream of enthusiastic enquiries.
Our current booking status is:-
Aromas of Tuscany: 8 vacancies
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/aromas-of-tuscany-tour.htm )
Turkish Aromatic Odyssey: 15 vacancies
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/turkish-tour.htm )
Flavours of Provence: 11 vacancies
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/flavours-of-provence.htm )
Provence Aromatherapy Retreat: 8 vacancies
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-retreat.htm )
Heart of Provence Tour: 10 vacancies
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-tour.htm )
Essential Provence Tour: 9 vacancies
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-essential-tour.htm )
Bali Women's Retreat: 10 vacancies
( http://www.aroma-tours.com/bali-women.htm ) We would like to kindly request that if you are considering joining us next year that you contact us shortly. This greatly assists us with our planning and allows us to assist you with any questions you may have.
If you are ready to make your booking, please visit our booking page
at http://www.aroma-tours.com/booking-request.htm
to reserve your place.
WILD LAVENDER BY BELINDA ALEXANDRA ========================================= We are thrilled to see the recent release of top selling author Belinda Alexandra's new book "Wild Lavender" which is a wonderful story about a young girl's journey from the lavender fields of Provence to Marseille and Paris during the dark years before and during World War II. It is a delightful read and we are thrilled to have contributed a small part. We mentioned back in our December 2002 newsletter that Belinda joined us for our Heart of Provence tour ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-tour.htm ) as part of her research for the book. We shared a lovely time strolling through fields and wild stands of lavender, visiting distilleries, introducing Belinda to some of our dear friends who's families have been cultivating lavender for generations and journeying through the lavender regions that we know so well. THE ORIENT EXPRESSED BY JANE BLIGHT ========================================= The book launches are coming thick and fast at the moment with Jane Blight who has travelled to Turkey with us twice now on our Turkish Aromatic Odyssey ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/turkish-tour.htm ) releasing her new book of poetry about Turkey, entitled "The Orient Expressed - Istanbul and Beyond".
The book contains evocative photos Jane took during our journeys
together and the title was influenced by the fact that the Orient
Express train finished its eastward journey in Istanbul.
Jane's poetry has won international prizes in the past and she was
recently flown to the USA to receive an international "Poet of
Merit" award after being nominated for Poet of the Year.
One early review of the book says:-
"A stunning collection of visual and evocative enchantment, Jane
Blight celebrates the delights of Turkey, from its timelessness and
enduring splendour to its warm-hearted people. You will savour
and treasure The Orient Expressed."
The book will be launched in Geelong on 4th December. Jim will be one
of the guest speakers along with the Turkish Consul General who has
offered his kind support for Jane's work.
THE SUFI DERVISHES ========================================= The religion of Sufism was created in the 13th century by the Islamic mystic Mevlana Celâleddin-i Rumi. He believed that the natural state of all things was to revolve, and against the conventions of the time, introduced music to the Sufi devotions along with a whirling dance.
Rumi's teachings and writings spoke of surrendering the Self,
deserting ego and turning towards truth and perfection. Those that
followed Rumi's teachings to achieved the status of Sufi holy men
became known as "Whirling Dirvishes" after their devotional
dance.
One of the memorable experiences from our Turkish Aromatic Odyssey ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/turkish-tour.htm
) is a visit to a beautiful 13th century Caravanserai where we witness
Sufi "Whirling Dervishes" enacting the devotion of Semâ
which represents man’s spiritual ascension through mind and love to
reach perfection ( Kemâl ).
During this moving and solemn ceremony we experience the uplifting and
haunting music and devotional songs of the Semâ and witness the
Dervishes whirling to conveying God’s spiritual gift and embracing
all of humankind and creation with affection and love. It is truly a
magnificent and heart-felt experience.
Jim has added some lovely new photos of our Turkish Odyssey for you to
enjoy at http://www.aroma-tours.com/gallery/turkey-pictures.htm
AUSTRALIAN AROMATIC TOUR ========================================= We have been continuing to get requests to recommence running our Aroma Tours in Australia. The best way for us to offer these journeys is to work with people wishing to bring their own group, and enjoying a tour that we have especially tailored to meet the needs and interests of that group.
Our first Australian group next year will be from Taiwan and we are
greatly looking forward to welcoming them and sharing the
"wonders down under".
We will enjoy the sights of Sydney including an exclusive visit to
Australian Bush Flower Essence headquarters and the stunning Botanical
Gardens. Then we travel north to explore the aromatic heart of
Australia with its beautiful beaches, lovely rainforests, delightful
coastal towns, local markets, native gardens, tea tree fields,
aboriginal culture, native medicine and unique wildlife. Not to
mention our fabulous food and wines.
We are looking forward to creating more special interest journeys in
Australia in the near future, including wine and gourmet tours.
If you are interested to know more please email us at info@aroma-tours.com
SERENDIPITY IN THE LUBERON ========================================= One of the great delights of our work is discovering new and fascinating places and experiences.
Last July while we were researching new accommodation possibilities
for our Essential Provence tour ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-essential-tour.htm
) we made the wonderful discovery of a beautifully restored monastery
nestled in a small village in the Luberon.
As well as being the perfect place for several nights accommodation we
were delighted to gradually unravel an amazing story associated with
the site.
The story begins in the 4th century with members of the "Les
Freres de la Bienheureuse Verge Marie du Mon Carmel" [ The
Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel ] who lived a life
of religious solitude in the area and built a small chapel to the
Virgin Mary on the site. Over the years up to the 17th century, the
chapel gradually fell into ruin until, in 1661 Antoine de Nantes, a
stone mason who had been maimed by his heavy work, witnessed a
miraculous vision near the ruins of the chapel.
He saw "a wonderful child covered from head to toe in light"
and was reportedly cured of his long standing crippling injuries. To
give thanks, he set to and restored the little chapel and from that
time on the location became a pilgrimage site for the sick and injured
and many more miracles and manifestations continued to be reported.
As a result of all the visiting pilgrims, the descendants of the
original brothers, [ now referred to as The Carmelite Monks ] built a
church around the chapel in 1669, which was then turned into a crypt
within the church itself.
Standing in that very church, dedicated to the "Mother of the
Eternal Light" festooned with icons and "ex voto"
tableaux, which depict the hundreds of miracles associated with the
site, was a truly moving experience.
PERFUME AND TRUFFLES IN TUSCANY/UMBRIA ========================================= We are pleased to announce the addition of two new "Aromatic Visits" to our Aromas of Tuscany tour ( http://www.aroma-tours.com/aromas-of-tuscany-tour.htm ) next year.
The first is a delightful small perfumery near Montapulciano where we
will experience the perfumers art and wonderful aromatic creations and
the second is a wonderful store specializing in truffles where we will
learn about this most delicious and mysterious culinary delight and of
course enjoy many delicious tastings.
TARTINE DE ROUGETS ========================================= This lovely and authentic Provencale recipe is one of the dishes that we prepared during the cooking class of our Flavours of Provence tour. The class was conducted by our master chef Robert in a stunning 18th century kitchen. Ingredients for 8 people:
16 red mullet
1 head of garlic 3 shallots 1 bunch of chives 1 carrot 1 kg fava beans 2 eggplants 2 red bell peppers 2 tomatoes 1 zucchini 8 slices of home made bread 3 tablespoons of tapenade ( olive paste )
basil, olive oil, salt and pepper
Method:
Bone the fish and keep in a cool place.
Make a fish stock by adding the fish bones to 1 litre of water along
with a teaspoon of tapenade and a small handful of basil leaves.
Simmer slowly while preparing the rest of the dish.
Cut the eggplant into large slices, rub each slice with plenty of salt
and leave in a colander for 30 minutes.
Thoroughly rinse the eggplant to remove the salt, pat dry and fry in
oil until golden brown.
Bake the peppers in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes then remove
skins.
Peel the garlic cloves then crush in a mortar and pestle with basil
and olive oil to make a paste.
Drizzle each of the bread slices with a little olive oil.
Place a slice of eggplant and a piece of roasted pepper on each slice
of bread and top with some of the garlic/basil paste and a little
tapenade.
Place 2 mullet fillets on top of each stack and bake in a warm oven
for 10-12 minutes.
Cube the carrot, zucchini, shallots and fava beans and add them to the
fish stock to cook for 10 minutes.
Place each bread stack in a bowl and ladle a portion of the fish stock
and vegetables into the bowl.
Garnish with deep fried basil leaves.
ARRANGING YOUR TRAVEL, BOOKINGS ETC ========================================= All of our rendezvous are arranged to be easily achieved either with the help of your travel agent, or for the more adventurous, by booking your flights and connections yourselves. Naturally we provide all of the information and assistance that you ( or your agent ) will require.
If you have any questions or would like our advice about your travel
plans or with any other details we are most happy to assist you. You
can either contact us at info@aroma-tours.com
or if you would like us to give you a call please let us know the best
number to contact you on.
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 NEWSLETTERS ========================================= If you would like to browse through our previous newsletters, they are available in our archives at http://www.aroma-tours.com/newsletters THOUGHT FOR THE DAY ========================================= "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."
~ George Carlin ~
OUR INVITATION ========================================= We look forward to welcoming you to one of our delightful tours or retreats next year 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.
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 US 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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