Newspaper article from the Northern Star travel feature
Locals arrange the details for memorable travel experience
Sue Jude takes a PineTour through Europe with an Arabian stopover for some exotic travel and loved every minute.
There is a buzz in the air in the Northern Rivers. Have you seen lots of middle-aged couples riding along North Wall in Ballina? Have you noticed the same people heading into our gyms in flash, new lycra? Why are these people suddenly getting fit? No, they're not interested in squeezing into the latest swimsuits, they're about to go on a PineTours adventure.I've just returned from my second tour with Robert and Sharee Pine and I envy these newly-converted fitness fanatics the adventure they are about to begin! |
My latest tour was "The Best of Italy and Greece with an Arabian Stopover". It began with the convinient luxury of 'a pick-up' from my home, followed by a Dubai stopover where most peole went dune bashing and desert dining, but I took the option of varying my trip to visit relatives.
In Rome we stayed near the Vatican in a convent, and enjoyed easy access to all Roma has to offer. The religious among us were able to worship at the seat of Catholicism, while the rest of us enjoyed the art, history and flavours of the Vatican and Rome. We marvelled at the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Cathedral and climbed the dome. We toured the Colosseum and all ruins Roman, tossed coins into the Trevi Fountain and scoffed gelato and pizza to our hearts' content! On leaving Rome, we experienced the delights of Umbria. We visited hilltop towns, staying in a converted Dominican monastery in the medieval quater of Bavagna for three nights. We then headed for Florence, in Tuscany, via Cortona... another charming, hilltop mase of streets and medieval buildings, sounds, sights, smells and tastes. Our walking tour showed us some of the treasures of Florence. The statue of David loomed large and some of us spent an afternoon. Next stop was the Cinque Terre-Five Villages. We stayed at Monterossa al Mare for three nights and did the five villages walk on our first full day. From Monterosso to Vernazza, to Corniglia, to Manarola and finally to Riomaggiore |
A cliff hugging trek along a donkey track in parts, a seaside stroll along a flat path in others, this day was sheer magic. Some of our party did the walk over two days, but the more intrepid among us chose to scale dizzy heights to hilltop bars, push on to sea-washed villages and flaunt our rigorous achievements over a fresh seafood dinner.
Our next stay was in Santa Margherita. From here, we could pop around to Portofino by ferry, trek to a beautiful, secluded bay or just kick back and relax. These were our last days in Italy, but we still had the thrill of climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa as we headed back to Rome for our flight to Athens. Our walking tour of Athens took us to the Acropolis and the Plaka. We revelled in the mess of modern day life, cheek by jowl with the dawn of domocracy. From Athens, we flew to Santorini for a few days and then we caught a ferry to Mykonos. Both islands are wondcerful, their colours - the stark whites and deep blues we see on postcards. Alas, our journey eventually had to end and we flew to Athens, Dubai then home. Will I remember every hilltop town, every ruin and priceless work of art? Probably not.. but my photos and the complimentary CVD the Pines gave me are good prompts. What I will remember are the friendships I made, the joy of new places and new experiences. |
What our customers would like to tell you about us
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A big Thank You for such a great trip. We went to so many great places and saw so many amazing things that now make up wonderful memories which will last a lifetime. You have such a talent for organising great trips. Thanks for your friendship and hospitality.
Jo & John I wanted to say a special Thank You for the amazing trip you organized to Greece. I had 28 wonderful days. Thank you so much, Helen. Just a short note to say Thank You for a wonderful time. Your time and effort was amazing and the result was too. We hope to keep in touch and maybe go on another trip some day. regards, Fae |
Just a short note to sincerely thank you for an amazing trip and a wonderful holiday. Your planning, advice and expertise in ensuring that such a diverse group of people could see and enjoy so much of Central Europe is a credit to you both. I will treasure many special circumstances, experiences and memories thanks to you. I will spread the word about the wonders of PineTours and I hoep to have the opportunity to again travel with you in the near future.
Fond regards, Rhonda |
Just a little note-but a huge thank you. The trip was wonderful because of your hard work & homework- I enjoyed every minute and every day had a wow factor. So many beautiful places all linked together in a perfectly paced journey. Thanks for sharing your Knowledge so well.
Cheers Robbie We want to thank you for our wonderful trip. Back home I'm enjoying those reflective moments of riding up the Moselle Valley and beside the canals of Belgium & Holland! |
We had such a great time on tour and loved every minute! Thanks for a wonderful holiday & looking forward to more.
Love, Lyn & Denis P.S. We were lucky to have travelled with such a great group of people - this makes such a difference to a trip. We enjoyed the tour of Italy and Greece 2007 very much. Thank you for the tour. We are looking forward to the Vietnam 2008 tour with great anticipation. Leigh |
