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CoVid: 2020 Zoom Get-Together

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Catching Up: Mini Group Trips and Reunions | 2018-2019

While we (im)patiently await our much anticipated Asia trip in November 2020, I realize I hadn’t posted anything here since the Venice-Croatia-Sicily cruise in 2017. Why? Maybe because we were smaller groups doing smaller and/or mini trips — but that doesn’t mean we haven’t lost our love of travel and each other!❤️ Continue reading

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Venice 2017

11 years … 10 international trips … multiple mini domestic get-togethers … lots of plane/bus/boat/cart/cable/gondola rides — who knows how many miles walked or steps climbed? … countless delicious meals and bottles of wine consumed … and, most importantly, lots of laughs and friendship bonding and strengthening. Continue reading

Mini Getaway/Staycation in Delray Beach

The Howard Beach contingent and the 4th Ward gals joined the Florida gang and friends for a fun-packed mini vacation that started with a welcome brunch at Casa Nova.

We started as a group of six at brunch on Day 1, but while waiting for our table in Vic ‘n Angelo’s that evening, we got a big surprise  …

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well, really a petite one. And then there 7. Continue reading

Highlights from Sorrento, Palermo, Taormina and Places In Between

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The Traveling Sisterhood welcomed 5 new ‘sisters’ on this, our 9th annual trip. Continue reading

Greek Food-but-Sicily-Talk | Mid Year Get-Together

Traveling Sisterhood at MP Taverna, Brooklyn (1 of 1)

June 2015 get-together at MP Taverna, Brooklyn, NY.

2015 Trip Planning Get-Together in Broad Channel, NY

 

We’re talking Sicily and Southern Italy. Stay tuned. Thanks for a great day!New York_August 2014-DSC_0050

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Spain-Portugal 2014

Spain_Portugal-DSC_0303 This customized trip was just about perfect. We enjoyed all our destinations and side trips, accommodations, services, and included (-or-suggested) meals. Kudos to GoToday who made all our arrangements and our on-site guide in Portugal, Paul Bernard. Continue reading

Bilbao, Lisbon and Albufeira • May 2014

The countdown begins. 

Hilton Head-Savannah Getaway

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Amsterdam, Lucerne, Zurich — and a Rhine River Cruise

All our group trips have been exceptional and different, but this may have been the most unique. We visited 4 countries, each with its own picturesque vistas, tried different foods, and pushed through a couple of rainy (and even snowy) days.

We’re so fortunate to have each other and to have shared so many wonderful adventures. Continue reading

Bonjour Quebec and Thumbs Down to United Airlines and Newark Airport

A delightful reunion and getaway, despite all the travel frustrations (details here).

Next Trip: Rhine River Cruise, April 12, 2013.

Sarasota Getaway

Katie, Carolyn, Mary and I had a little getaway before our group trip in July. Katie’s daughter, Kerry and our friend, Liz, also joined us for a few days in Sarasota, FL.

While we relaxed, we talked about where The Traveling Sisterhood will go in 2013.

But, first, Quebec! See you in July!

A Taste of Tuscany

While returning to Montecatini from a trip to Pisa, I had time to reflect on my travels in Italy. I realized that over the years I’ve visited close to 25 cities — and about three-quarters of them more than once (Florence 3x, Rome 3x, Venice 2x, Montecatini 2x, Pisa 2x, Lucca 2x, etc.) You get the idea. Amazing, isn’t it? 

And, while I probably won’t go back again next year, I am in no way done with Italy. Continue reading

Pre-Trip Reunion

Arthur Avenue. Touring the Little Italy of The Bronx and getting psyched for our October trip to Tuscany.

South America • 2010 • Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Rio de Janeiro

It was a first time visit to South America for 8 of the 10 of us  so this was a perfect itinerary to get a taste  of the landscape, culture, activities and food! We visited the most important sights, hit a church/museum or two, flea/handicraft markets, had a few heart-stopping adventures and we ate…boy, did we eat!

Pictured: Debbie D’Ambrosio, Irene D’Ambrosio, Virginia Armstrong, Katie Davis, Carolyn Lupi, Maryann Armstrong, Joan Nova, Josie Massimo, Dolores D’Ambrosio, Mary Catello. Continue reading

The “Sisters” Reunion in NYC • August 30, 2010

14 of us got together for a fabulous pre-trip dinner at the Buenos Aires Restaurant on 6th Street, NYC. (Katie was there for a cocktail but had to leave for a meeting so she missed the photo.) On September 30 Rita, Joann, Barbara and a couple of others are taking a wonderful Mediterranean cruise — and on October 8th 10 of us are off to South America. Hopefully, next year will find us all united on one trip.

South America in 2010 • It’s Official!

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3 nights Buenos Aires

2 nights Iguazu Falls

2 nights Rio de Janeiro

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Planning 2010 Trip in FL, December 2009

We celebrated the start of the holidays at Mary & Nick’s annual ‘boat parade’ party last night and had a great time — but today we  got down to business…the business of where to go in 20-10!

Over brunch — and for 3 hours past, we reviewed and discussed potential trips. I had already researched several destinations and had multiple itineraries to present. We batted around Portugal, a river cruise, a spa in Tuscany, Peru and finally decided.

Drum roll, please…

This year, it’s South America!

The itinerary we selected will give you a taste of Argentina, Brazil, Iguazu Falls and even includes a lunch in Uruguay. We’re looking at an October 6 departure.

I’m going back to the travel companies to see if I can work some group magic. Details will follow.

San Francisco • November 2009

I was invited to attend a ‘food blogger weekend’ in San Francisco and was delighted when Carolyn and Katie decided to join me in the ‘city by the bay’. Although each of us had been there before (multiple times). we managed to enjoy new activities and see beautiful sights.

Continue reading

Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg + Gay Paree!

October 2009
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From L-R: Dolores, Irene, Barbara, Joann, Patricia, Josie and Rita.

The group spent 2 nights in Amsterdam, 2 nights Brussels, 2 nights Luxembourg and 3 nights Paris. In Amsterdam and Paris, they met up with our 2 other ‘sisters’, Claudia and Rae (not pictured), who were traveling separately. A little chillier than expected and a little too much movement but everyone had a great time and enjoyed the destinations. Some of the highlights:

  • visiting The Battle of the Bulge where General Patton is buried.
  • red light district in Amsterdam
  • a side trip to Germany for sauerbratten and Reisling wine
  • Belgian beer
  • and something about a coffee(?) shop in Amsterdam…

Note: Kodak does not allow for digital downloading of the photos so I can’t show them to you here, but you can see Irene’s album and Rita’s. If someone who was on the trip wants to send me a few photos via email, I’ll be happy to put them up.

Spain ’08 – Olé!

MADRID • BARCELONA • TORREMOLINOS, 2009

Forewarning: this narrative is going to be a lot like my original foray into blogging called “Foodalogue: A Gastronomic Travel Memoir” because, frankly, we did a lot of eating and drinking. We never met a meal or wine we didn’t savor…and with mucho gusto! All the restaurants we went to were unique, atmospheric and damn good! So I’m going to include restaurant names where possible for future reference and/or recommendations to friends.  Continue reading