Brian's Blog (13)

When I travel in Europe these days, I'd be lost without my smartphone (Android). I use apps for everything from train schedules to finding restaurants. Here are a few that I've used:

• Rick Steves has a useful app with his excellent audio tours. (does not need data)

• SBB (Swiss Railways) has a great rail schedule app that can be used for schedules all over Europe. It is easy to…

Continue

A month ago, I set out on a one-week cruise of Turkey's southwest coast and the Dodecanese Islands of Greece. It was even better than I'd expected. 

I had the good fortune to sail with Untourists Ted and Rose McKenna who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. We were joined by an amiable group of 16 Australians, 2 other Americans, 2 women from Spain, and 1 gentleman from Germany. By the end of the week, we felt like one big family.

The crew was fantastic, especially…

Continue

Matt Lauer of the Today Show was on the Jungfraujoch today.  For some great shots of the alps and interesting segments on Switzerland take a look at this link.

Our very own Cathrin Baumbach is just back from Nafplio and Athens.  If you'd like to chat with her about how things feel "on the ground," please give her a call.  1-888-868-6871 x2010.

 

(We actually have two other staff persons in Nafplio at the moment as well: Sue and Marilee.  Word is they don't want to leave...)

Continue

I just came across this article that some of you will enjoy. Leiden is Untours' base in Holland.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/europe/la-tr-pilgrims22-2009nov22,0,6865321.story

For those of you who don't know it, ITN (International Travel News) is a monthly magazine that is about as unslick as they come. It's printed on newsprint and only in black and white. It's loaded with trip reports and good information. Rick Steves even has a regular column. I recently came across a good article by Untourist Bob Dear on our Greece Untour that some of you may enjoy. Click here to read it.

In late November, I received a package in the mail. It turned out to be a published book about a Swiss Untour. The book is written by Zoya Schmuter, a retired Russian doctor living in New York. She and her husband traveled with their grandchildren to Switzerland in 2005. Her 2008 book chronicles the experience of experiencing Switzerland through the eyes of her American-born grandchildren. Her own history of growing up in Russia and living in Israel adds an interesting dimension to her… Continue

The Inquirer ran another story on Hal after getting wind of a Foundation donations of dolls to several worthy causes. Why does Hal have dolls to give away? You'll need to read the article to get the full story.



http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/chester/20081210_Media_businessman_reaches_out_to_less_fortunate.html…

Continue

Here's an interesting column by Peter Singer, a fascinating and controversial philosopher, on philanthropy. He mentions Hal and Norma Taussig (Untours' founders/owners).

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&newsid=125457

Some of you may have noticed the new logo on the back of our latest catalog. It's a B with a circle around it. What's that all about?



In recent years, we've talked more about the work of the Untours Foundation and the fact that our profits go to support its efforts. We've done this a bit reluctantly because Hal and Norma don't like being put on a pedestal and getting attention for work that is deeply meaningful to them personally. At the same time, we don't want to be seen as a… Continue

I noticed some great additions to the Fodor's discussion today from "ronkala", "Amy", and "dorism". If you are on the cafe, thanks for your support! Any mention of us on these forums, especially with a link, can help get the cyberbuzz going!

I'll try to post recent publicity here as we find out about it. There is a nice little discussion on Untours going on Fodor's at the moment in case anyone wants to chime in...

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=134&tid=35103054