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Switzerland

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Barcelona

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Venice

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What is your favorite place in Europe so far?: All of Switzerland and Venice

Tell us about one of your favorite places to stay on an Untour. Do you have a favorite host? Apartment? Village?: Our first Untour in 1991 was memorable because of our wonderful landladay in Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland. Sadly, she has since passed away...we will never forget her.

We loved the Fogher apartment in Venice.

Do you have any special interests or hobbies that you follow when you travel?: I just love to walk and walk and walk, exploring our hometown.

Which Untours have you already done?: All of the Switzerland regions, Tuscany, Rome, Venice, Rhine, Hapsburg, Portugal, Greece. We've stayed in Kaiserstuhl, Meirengen, Kandersteg, St. Goar, Sintra, Montalcino, Locarno, Rome, Venice, Napflio, Vienna, Prague, Budapest. We're booked for Andalucia, Barcelona, and Venice for 2009!

What advice would you give others considering an Untour?: I wrote this many hears ago for one of Idylls publications....I think it still applies...

“"Idyll People"”

While waiting in airports, my husband and I often pass the time looking at our fellow travelers and trying to identify those who are “"Idyll People"” and those who are not. I think that when planning a trip, it is important for individuals to know if they are indeed “"Idyll People"” or not. As Idyll gets additional publicity, attracting “Not Idyll People"(those who may not be totally comfortable with the Untour experience) is inevitable, especially since "Idyll People" are so enthusiastic about this experience.
Who, then, are “"Idyll People"”?
They are those who enjoy knowing a little about the country to which they are traveling before hand and have some idea about what/where they want to visit. They cherish their independence in deciding what they will see and where they will go and, yes, they even enjoy sometimes getting lost and experiencing the pleasure of the unexpected.
They are those who enjoy living as the typical person in that country does and respect the differences from the hectic 24 hour life in America.
They are those who are independent, yet, after a long, cramped, tiresome trans Atlantic flight appreciate being met at the airport and either escorted or being given directions to their final destination. The greeting service of Idyll avoids the stress often encountered by totally independent travelers trying to, upon landing, immediately figure out schedules, find local transport or taxi (and wondering if they’re being “taken” by the driver).
They are those who also have an appreciation for the “welcoming” food in their apartment and the realization that when they feel tired and dusty after 8 hours on a plane, they don’t have to immediately find a restaurant or grocery store (especially if they arrive in a small, Tuscan hill town on a Wednesday afternoon!).
They are those who recognize the value of contact with a knowledgeable citizen (not a professional tour guide) who can provide them with some of the “ins” and “outs” of their location, as well as current local happenings. They desire to participate in traditional customs and activities and savor experiences such as taking a chair lift up to hike among snowcapped peaks with breathtaking 360 panoramic views in order to experience a local folklore event.
They are those who might enjoy contact with or taking part in a cultural experience with other Americans once or twice during their two week stay - or not doing so if they don’t desire to.
“Not Idyll People” are those whose idea of visiting Europe is the comfort, decor, and service of the Holiday Inn or Hilton or Ramada with satellite TV, the convenience of a concierge and daily meals that parrot those they get at home. They are those who like someone else to plan what they should see, when they should see it, and how long they should stay. They desire universal door to door transportation and never want to handle their luggage except to put it outside their door in the morning and have it reappear in their next room at night. The constant availability of a professional tour guide is important to them.

So, dear Idyll, I hope as the enthusiasm of other “"Idyll People" helps you grow, you can continue to provide the Untour experience and are comfortable and confidant enough to say to some individuals, “perhaps Idyll is not for you.”
I hope that I have been non judgmental in articulating these differences. Every one is different and has varying needs, likes, and dislikes. It is my fierce independence that makes me respect these differences. But, it is good to know who you are and who you are not. At this point in our lives, my husband and I are happy to be “"Idyll People"”. Perhaps at another time in our lives we will not be, but for now ----where can we go next year?

What is your favorite Untour? (so far): Switzerland and Venice.

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Vickie K's Photos

Vickie K's Videos

Switzerland Folkloric Part II

Added by Vickie K
Trachtenfest Schwyz

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Running of the Cows in Meiringen

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Vickie K's Blog

'Til the Cows Come Home

http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2015/03/19/til-the-cows-come-home/

‘Til the Cows Come Home

Speaking of Travel By Vickie Kelber

Although we have visited Switzerland a number of times, usually choosing to spend a month at a time, our travels have always taken place between early June and late August. On our last trip, we went a little later in the…

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Posted on May 30, 2015 at 8:04am

Switzerland....a Festival for Everyone!

http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2015/05/28/a-festival-for-everyone/

A Festival for Everyone

Alp horns are a part of most festivals in alpine Switzerland. PHOTOS BYVICKIE KELBER

SPEAKING OF TRAVEL Vickie Kelber

One of the more than 200 Tryhclen groups…

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Posted on May 30, 2015 at 8:02am

In Search of Swiss Cheese

http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2015/05/16/in-search-of-swiss-cheese/

In Search of Swiss Cheese

SPEAKING OF TRAVEL Vickie Kelber

Hikers meet the alpine bus carrying people and packages up to Griesalp while clouds hang in the trees.

Switzerland is…

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Posted on May 18, 2015 at 2:30pm

Eating in Istanbul

http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2015/01/23/afiyet-olsun/

Posted on January 23, 2015 at 5:56pm

Further Afield in Istanbul

http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2015/01/08/further-afield-in-istanbul/

Posted on January 23, 2015 at 5:54pm

Comment Wall (14 comments)

At 5:41pm on July 19, 2007, Marilee Taussig said…: I LOVE your Idyll people wisdom!!!! Welcome to the Cafe. We can't wait to hear more words of wisdom. What is the latest Untour you took, and what are your memories of it! You could try adding your first blog post: I am sure your ability to write so well would mean your observations be appreciated by many.

At 10:38am on July 20, 2007, Powen Shiah said…: Wow, Vickie. I think that's an amazing piece you wrote about "Idyll People". I almost want to print it out and put it next to my desk to remember how the "real" Untourists are. Thanks for that bright spot in the day today

At 11:11am on July 21, 2007, Marilee Taussig said…: fabulous Venice photos!!!! bravo! Vickie you have real talent as a writer and photographer

At 12:38pm on April 24, 2008, Marcia Venus said…: Vickie -- thanks for your response. You will love Nafplio -- I'm sure of it. We stayed in the Casandra apartment -- very accomodating. Thanks also for the article on who is a Untours traveler. I truly described the type of person who values and benefits from this type of travel. I have printed the article and plan to share it with friends who have expressed interest in traveling with Untours.

At 1:29pm on April 24, 2008, Vickie K said…: Hi Marcia:

Thanks...I wrote that many years ago!
I'd love to ask you some specifics about Nafplio...I don't know if this is really the right venue....do you subcribe to the Idyll Chatboard? I could post my questions to you there or you could email me privately.
After Nafplio, we are spending two nights in Athens and then taking a quick (very quick!) cruise to some of the islands.

Vickie

At 2:15pm on April 24, 2008, Marcia Venus said…: Vickie -- e-mail me at mvenus@woh.rr.com -- and we can be more direct there -- and maybe we can talk before you leave.

At 5:08pm on April 24, 2008, Linda Paplinski said…: Vickie,
My husband and I were in Greece in Sept. 2007. You will love Nafplio and Christos is a delight. We did a couple of overnights. Greece can be a challange driving, but it is lovely. We added 4 nights in Athens (split) and 3 on Santorini. Everything was fantastic. If you have any questions feel free to email me.

At 8:35am on June 15, 2008, Deborah and Donald Wise said…: Thanks for the update. We signed up for the glacier tour through the ship but that's all so maybe we will do the rest on our own.

At 4:04pm on July 7, 2009, Doris M said…: Vickie, I just looked at all your photos of Andalucia and they're absolutely amazing. I made many of them favorites of mine so I can go back and view them whenever I want to relive memories of this beautiful place. We were there two years ago and loved it. Especially enjoyed your photos of Priego de Cordoba - what a wonderful little town. Seville was my favorite big city. We didn't make it to Barcelona - maybe someday!

At 7:42pm on July 15, 2009, Kemp said…: Hi Vickie,

Thanks for sharing your photos of Andalusia -- they're really nice. I've not been to Spain, but your photos sure make it look like an intriguing place to visit.

Thanks,
Kemp

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