Travelling Spirit...are you ready to fly?

Lauren Bacall, Rome. 1960
source

I am feeling that whole 'woman on a mission' vibe that Lauren Bacall did so well. Since I last wrote I have started systematically checking my travel lists for upcoming trips to Sydney, Vietnam, Hong Kong, London and the USA. For the most part, I will be travelling solo, a mix of business and pleasure. The best part of all the air miles I am about to clock in is that I will be able to visit with my children in Sydney and celebrate a significant wedding anniversary in London with Mr. H...our 30th! I guess it is only appropriate that 30 years on we are still playing 'plane tag' across the globe.

"Sometimes the smallest step 

in the right direction 

ends up being the biggest step 

in your life."

~Naeem Callaway

Which brings me to one's travelling spirit, in particular, your travelling spirit. How do you feel about travel? Are you game or do you prefer the comforts of home? Do you say YES! when you start to read about an amazing travel experience? Or do you say YES!...but are happy to travel by armchair.

Do you find as the years go by that you are more keen to travel, or less so?

When you think about travelling...how and where do you see yourself travelling? With a partner, solo or with a group? Have you recently been on a trip? Do you have one coming up? Will you be travelling to new territory or returning to a place you feel a special connection to? Do you enjoy quiet reflective vacations or are you keen to experience it all?

Here is why I ask. In 2012, when we moved to Vietnam, I started a blog, Expat Diary Vietnam. As often happens in the blogging world, a blogging buddy, Millie, asked if I knew of Jean Wethmar who organized personal tours to Vietnam. Jean and I eventually connected and I mentioned her travel business on my blog for fellow readers looking to explore Vietnam. Another blogging friend, Linda  at Lulu's Musings was intrigued, contacted Jean, pulled together a few friends and off they went, with Jean to explore Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in 2013. I called them the Travelling Sisterhood and wrote about it here. I have kept track of Jean and her growing business and am excited to mention her upcoming adventures to India, Myanmar, Morocco, Greece and Paris. Kismet strikes twice as some of the original Travelling Sisterhood are meeting up for Part II in 2017 with a trip to Rajasthan. I just love that they are doing that!

Travelling Sisterhood...Travelling Spirits...call it what you like, it's pretty special when it happens. I am so very tempted to join in...how about you?

Jean Wethmar of Cape Lux Travels

If you are not familiar with Jean, I can tell you she considers herself the 'ultimate concierge'. No detail is to small, she is the consummate organizer, your 'friend in a foreign land', your 'go to' person, your 'ear on the ground'...she can do it all, happily and willingly. You can check in at her concierge desk here.

Has she peaked your travel spirit? If so, read on and be sure to contact Jean if you have any questions, she is more than happy to create a trip like no other for you!

Glam Tour Rajasthan/Goa 

with a fabulous small group of dynamic girls...

17 November – 3 December’16

Smell the jasmine and the saffron – taste chai and authentic naan bread.. See the glittering Taj - Visit the Pink City, Experience Udaipur and relive Goa’s very Portuguese influenced past.. Shop in all the right places! For further info- my email address  - jeanw@theapeclub.com or  http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/

Myanmar Glam Girls Tour 

20 – 30 April, 2017

The mystical charm of Myanmar is attracting an increasing number of travellers and is one of Asia’s best-kept secrets. When Rudyard Kipling visited Burma a hundred years ago he described it as “quite unlike any land you know about”. To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world, a land of breathtaking beauty and charm that offers traditional Asian delights to all visitors. For further info- my email address  - jeanw@theapeclub.com or  http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/

Then Morocco delights – 

Magic of Morocco 

with Interior Decorator Sally Carson

from Queensland, Australia

13 – 23 October 2017  

Sally Carson

Embark on a private, personalized tour filled with local encounters and memorable experiences. Designed to give a broad sense of the essence of Morocco, this tour encompasses the culture, the history, the warmth and generosity of its people, along with the geography and amazing cuisine. Accompanied by an English speaking driver/guide plus your own concierge and interior stylist, Sally Carson, you will visit the major cities, majestic gorges, and ancient Kasbahs. Plus you’ll spend two nights in the High Atlas Mountains, where we will hike through the villages and have lunch with a traditional Berber family. For more info- 
my email address  - jeanw@theapeclub.com or  http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/

Note: (only place for 4 GlamGirls left.. 8 already paid $100 deposit etc, etc ) 

Princess Diary Royal Rajasthan 

high luxury tour 

25 October – 9 November 2017

Glam Girls Lux Travels together with Go India, will help unfold the mysteries of Rajasthan, as we take you through deserts and mountains, small reclusive hamlets and bewilderingly enormous palaces, dyed clothes and scintillating embroidery, its colours and music, its dance and food which together weave an unforgettable tapestry. Rajasthan is synonymous with royalty and romance, human grit and determination. In this fascinating land, human is unimaginable without the camel-the camel is the constant companion of dry barren lands. Our brochure is still with the graphic designer..please contact me for details. For further info .. my email address  - jeanw@theapeclub.com or  http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/

Crete, Aegean Odyssey

A fabulous look at local life with Francesca Muir – 

blogger and photographer dynamic –

1 – 12 June 2018 

An exclusive insight into the Cretan way of life, people, traditions and food with Francesca Muir 

Francesca Muir

who will take us on an exciting journey to the Greek island she calls her spiritual home...12 days on the island of Crete, home to the famous Mediterranean Diet thanks to the island’s rich soil and warm climate, and cradle of Western Civilization thanks to the ingenuity of the Minoan Civilization; learning about their 9000 year history, their culture and food. Think crystal clear azure seas; breathtaking views; a Minoan feast (cooked as the Minoans cooked 2500 years ago); mountain villages; traditional lace makers, bootmakers and shepherds; a trip to the last leper island in Europe; a private tour of the Palace of Knossos; cooking Cretan food the traditional way as well as stunning shopping – jewellery; leather goods; olive products; pottery and clothes. The perfect trip for painters, photographers, artists and writers and those interested in the anthropology of food – it’s so inspiring and there’s so much to see you’ll want to go back. For further info .. my email address  - jeanw@theapeclub.com or  http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/ or Francesca Muir- http://francescamuir.com

 Join us for Paris summer sales 

and secret gardens of central France tour-

exclusive for just Twelve Glam Girls! 

July 2018 – Exact dates to be confirmed

Twice yearly summer sales in magical Paris are a spectacular occurrence with up to 70% off at favourite boutiques, high street chains and other fashion stores. After a whirlwind experience in the capital city, guests head to the French countryside in the Limousin region. Here you get to visit a brocante (country antique and bric-a-brack market) and explore charming, historical Boussac, the rural village in which la Creuzette is situated. You also get to feast on various culinary treats complemented with French wines. Sounds idyllic? – it is! – Chateau  la Creuzette will ensure that you have the ultimate, hassle-free luxury French Lifestyle experiences.  Oh.. we travel to the Limousin via the Loire region and spend a day at the MAGICAL Chaumont sur Loire Garden Fair (regarded by many of the la Creuzette guests as ‘better than Chelsea”) and at Villandry castle – “the most beautiful kitchen garden in the world’. For further info .. my email address  - jeanw@theapeclub.com or  http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/

Travel photos and trip details 

provided by Jean @ Glam Girls Lux Travel
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Each and every one of these trips sounds fabulous and I am only too happy to share them in this post today. Jean can fill you in on all the details. Write to Jean jeanw@theapeclub.com or check out her website  http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/

I am sharing because some of you may have a travelling spirit that is ready to fly and Jean might hav just the trip for you. No matter who, what, where and when you go....I hope your travel spirit soars!

"There are times when we stop, we sit still. 

We listen and breezes from 

a whole other world begin to whisper."

~James Carroll

Happy Travels!

Jeanne xx

PS..thank you all for your very kind words in recent posts.
I have been out of touch with my blog for some time but am
back in action. If you left a comment...I have replied..finally. 
Little late but better late than never. Yes? ;)