03/26/2024
Enjoying a lovely week of Gentle Somatic Yoga in Yelapa MX at Pura Vida practicing and learning about Somatic movement. Feels fabulous
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Small group adventure travel specialists focused on Wine & Culture. Experience amazing sights, visit
Specializing in Wine and Food Travel, Small group adventures, and can fulfill all your travel needs. We can design a custom trip just for you, let us do the hard work and you enjoy the travel experience. We are an Independent Contractor for Protravel International, LLC, a Virtuoso Partner.
03/23/2024
On our first day in Puerto Vallarta we had a wonderful private tour at the butterfly sanctuary, the Jardín Mágica. Well worth the private tour. Fabian is the founder and led us thru the garden describing the different species of butterflies 🦋 and interesting bugs. Enjoy the pics.
02/27/2024
On our last trip, between our 11 day hike through the alps and visiting Sicily and Turkey, we sandwiched in a relaxing 10 day river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam. It’s a wonderful way to have a lot of different experiences, yet at your preferred pace, and only unpack once.
European river cruises uniquely blend history, art, culture, and culinary delights. Whether sailing the majestic blue Danube, meandering along the romantic Rhine River, or exploring another storied waterway, prepare to return home with the best memories.
Contact me for an unforgettable adventure.
11/13/2023
Under Istanbul there is a 6th century Cistern that was the largest of the Byzantine era. It has ~330 stone columns. A scene from the James Bond movie, “From Russia With Love” was filmed here as well. Today it is an attraction and it is only partially filled, but you can see the various higher watermarks on the columns. They’ve installed mood lights that change every few minutes, and very cool metal sculptures. You can hear water dripping as you walk throughout the cistern, and it’s a very calming experience. You may not want to leave it to go back into the hustle and bustle of Istanbul.
11/12/2023
The sun going down in Göcek Turkey. It’s so beautiful and relaxing here; especially after Istanbul for 4 nights.
11/10/2023
Aaahhh, Göcek Bay, it’s nice to leave a few extra days for a vacation from your vacation
11/06/2023
We were about 12 miles from the Syrian border at the ancient site of Karahan Tepe. It is thought to be older than Göbekli Tepe but using similar architecture. Found here is a sculpture of a human head. The discovery of these two sites changes the theories of how sophisticated the hunter and gatherers were in their time. It is really desolate out here and you definitely want an excellent guide and vehicle! … having a car breakdown out here could be really stressful to say the least! 😉. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karahan_Tepe. My pics do not do the site justice
11/06/2023
Last week we visited Göbekli Tepe Considered one of the most important and controversial sites of the pre pottery Neolithic times. It’s really fascinating and worth the long drive 🙂 The UNESCO website is a good resource for this site. Göbekli dates back to about 9,500 a 8,500 BC https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1572
11/06/2023
Cats of Sicily
11/03/2023
Mount Nemrut (~7,000 ft elev) in southeastern Turkey is about a 7 hr drive from Urgup in Cappadocia region. It is an approximate 2,000 yr old tomb of King Antiochus. The sculptures and architecture is very different from Cappadocia. The tourists were mostly locals and us yahoos 😉 we were 5 people and about 10 others scattered around the site.
The 2nd to last pic is of a Roman bridge that is closer to the base of the mountain. It was amazing that it was in excellent condition. Enjoy the pics.
11/01/2023
During our first day in the Cappadocia region we explore the area’s unusual rock formations that are caused by the wind and rain over the centuries; and, within the cliffs and formations are cliff dwellings dating back to 2,000 BC or so … timeframes are still being debated … regardless, WOW! The area has amazing contrasts. Most of the area is arid and waiting for the rains to come, then near the river it has a very European feel with a beautiful river, ducks, pedestrian bridge, willow trees and everyone dining in cafés along the water. Here are some highlights.
10/21/2023
Although I’m feeling a bit ready to be home with my friends, garden, and cats, I am feeling grateful to be able to enjoy my yoga practice with such a beautiful view and place.
10/19/2023
We should have ordered just one 😳😋
10/16/2023
Yesterday was a beautiful day! Still clear and warm here in Sicily; about 83 F. We visited an archeological site near Segesta with an Ancient Greek temple and theatre, then had an aperitivo and dinner in a beautiful little town on the coast, Castellammare del Golfo. I highly recommend staying in Castellammare D.G. than Trapani. The beach is smaller but the town and it’s pedestrian zone is wonderful. Sicily Enjoy the pics.
10/13/2023
We’re lov’n Sicily. We’re about 1 week in to our time here. A couple days ago we planned to hike to the summit of the main crater of Mt Etna which was fascinating. Unfortunately, this active Volcano was too active to summit the main crater, but we got to walk around the lower craters that have steam vents but they are not active with regards to molten lava 😳. Enjoy the pics
09/20/2023
One more clip … this one is a bit of Van Gogh & Nina Simone
09/20/2023
A very special experience. In the small Provence village of Les Baux they have an immense underground former rock quarry that has been converted into an event space. They projected masterpiece paintings to music throughout the cave/rock quarry. Phenomenal! This particular show was, Carrieres Les Ilumieres.
09/20/2023
Old telephone booth converted to a booking sharing booth, such a great idea!
09/19/2023
Crescent super moon over Côte du Rhône, Provence France … view with naked eye the lights are not bright. They are dim and the moon appears huge and orange
09/06/2023
Hanging with the beautiful boats on the Côte D’Azur
09/01/2023
Hard to tell from the video, but it was pretty much a straight drop down if you slipped crossing the stream.
09/01/2023
And the ladder video was on the last segment of the TMB on the way to the top of Le Brévent Tour Du Mont Blanc
09/01/2023
Segment 11 of the TMB -The Last Day: Wow we made it. Yes I’m posting because it feels good!!! 😂Approximately 104 miles, we did the whole TMB with a few variant trails to get higher for some different views … although all the trails had incredible scenery.
Today was crazy with over 6,000 ft of descent… but before having to do a little over 2,800 ft of ascent. It had everything today with boulder fields, flying rocks, ascents, ladders, cold, warm, … relentless. But it was way fun 😁
Yes, this is my business page but what the heck, below are some personal take aways from our adventure:
- look out for flying boulders and rocks from wildlife (I think it’s like a pin ball machine game for them … kick a rock or boulder down the mountain side and see if you hit one of those peeps walking with sticks) All the animals are in on it! 😉 a flying rock from a cow on day 3 came close to John Daniels, and a small boulder came barreling down the mountain when I was crossing a boulder field this morning. And yes … there were 2 Mtn goats 🐐 looking down to see what would happen!
- pack light but never forget your rain gear and a warm smart wool sweater
- they eat a LOT of cheese in the mountains
- Women you definitely want a Kula Cloth, it’s anti-microbial, dries quickly and just wash it with soap at the end of the day. No more TP so trails stay clean for everyone.
- Don’t eat the prunes for breakfast! No matter how good they are, later on the trail is not good! 😂
- Always expect a false col and false peak, then when you actually reach the real one you’re really excited.
- You can eat as much as you want and you’re still hungry in the morning
This is all I got. It was awesome. It’s only a sense of accomplishment because there is no fan fare when u finish! Just go celebrate on your own or if you’re lucky enough to be experiencing it with someone else.
Cheers and hope you get some amusement from the pics. Tour Du Mont Blanc
08/31/2023
This is it, the last Day!!!
08/31/2023
Good morning Les Praz! And GOODBYE FOR NOW!! Woohoo! Last day of the TMB! Snow on the left, but Yesss, we’re hiking on the green side with sun ☀️
08/30/2023
Segment 10, 2nd to last day of the TMB, and 3rd day in a row of over 3000 ft elevation gain … have to admit that my legs are tired! The fun part of the uphill was a series of ladders (about 8 -10 ladders and transitions to the next ladder.) All in all a good time, but crazy cold at the top at Lac Blanc.
I have to give a big thanks to my long time yoga teacher, Jo Zukovich Yoga, all the yoga she’s so generously shared helped keep my body ready for each day! Also to Aaron T. Miter , my cross training coach who helped get my body strong to do this big hike. …. Sorry Aaron, but after we finish tomorrow I’m going to go eat A LOT!! And have a big beer! … and apologies to Jo because after all this hiking a may not be able to touch my knees let alone my toes! 🤣🤣🤣 Enjoy the pics …. almost the last day.
08/29/2023
Segment 9: Trient to Argentiére. Today was relentless and awesome! We started out with a relentless 3.82 mile ascent! You were lucky if you had 6 steps of flat ground between switchbacks. I did get a bit sentimental because when we finished yesterday everything we were wearing was soaked … boots, our waterproof jackets and pants and everything underneath the supposed rain gear. 😆 when we had finished and we’re taking off our boots in the boot room (Every refugio has a boot room and about 50 pairs of crocks. No muddy boots inside!) I saw a stack of newspapers, and remembered that if u stuff your wet shoes with newspaper it sucks the water out of your shoes and they dry faster. … we did that and in the morning the inside of our boots were dry! … long story here 😉 … during the morning hike and feeling grateful for dry boots, I remembered, it was my mom who taught me that! Wherever she is up there, I hope she got a giggle out of how happy I was for dry boots … all because of her ❤️
Moving on, at the top of the first pass we smashed inside at Refugio le Balme with about 30 other hikers for hot tea and the best homemade nut bar!! Then back into the balmy 38 F weather, in the clouds, we headed down to the next spot to ascend to the peak Aiguillette des Posettes. That was a fun climb with phenomenal views. Then the relentless descent … it went on forever 😆 fortunately we finished in the cutest little mountain village, Argentiére. All in all a great day and fingers crossed this cold snap is over tomorrow. The first 7 days we have had phenomenal weather, then on day 8 there was a cold snap! We have gone from mid-70’s to high 30’s!! Tomorrow we’re supposed to start in the 40’s and finish in the mid 60’s … Celebration 🎉 Time! 😁
08/28/2023
Segment 8: It’s been a rainy cold 🥶 day today. As the cute 20 something English gal said on the trail, “this is such a SLOG”. She’s sooo right, it was a SLOG today! But we survived crossing rushing streams that filled our hiking boots, cold rain, and mud. But we jammed thru our 11.12 miles and ~3000 ft elevation gain, had an awesome veggie burger at some restaurant that is sitting in the middle of nowhere, and finally reached out Refugio for the night. Tomorrow will be a cold day but less rain. Yay!!! Enjoy the pics.
08/26/2023
The cutest baby foal/donkey that we saw play in his coral then started nursing. Aaahhhhh ❤️
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Love leaf cutter ants 🐜
Crazy cool bug that has camouflage leafs on its legs. He moves them around so it looks like leaves fluttering @mariposario_puerto_vallarta
You and your loved ones can meet to observe and interact with these amazing animals, departing when you choose, with expert local guides leading the way. Venture into the sprawling wilderness of Kruger National Park to spot the Big Five. Contact me for your adventure!
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Hot air balloon ride part 2: over thermal baths
When in Turkey do as the Turks do, take a hot at balloon ride. We took ours in Pamakkale and we’re really fortunate. The winds carried us right over the ancient city of Hierapolis and the the thermal baths; amazing!!!
Dispatches from our travels. We are 1 week shy of 3 mos. on the road. Sometimes the things that are not part of the main attraction are a beautiful and peaceful break. This little pond from a natural spring had a family of turtles. It is on the archeological site of the ancient city of Troy; yup where the Trojan Horse was used to defeat their enemy. @canakkale
Call to evening prayer in Urgup, Turkey 🇹🇷 in the Cappadocia region.
If you’re looking for a special place in Tuscany that is elegant and relaxing, that’s not crowded but close to villages and historical sites, look no further. @belmondcastellodicasole. It’s absolutely beautiful! There are hiking trails, biking trails, yoga and a spa. 2 restaurants and over 200 hectares of open space with fields and forest. Two small villages are on nearby hills and only 40 minutes from Siena. The video is of our premium suite.
Looking back at our fabulous time hiking the TMB @tourdumontblanc
The quiet side of Amsterdam
One more clip … this one is a bit of Van Gogh & Nina Simone
A very special experience. In the small Provence village of Les Baux they have an immense underground former rock quarry that has been converted into an event space. They projected masterpiece paintings to music throughout the cave/rock quarry. Phenomenal! This particular show was, Carrieres Les Ilumieres.
And the ladder video was on the last segment of the TMB on the way to the top of Le Brévent Tour Du Mont Blanc
Hard to tell from the video, but it was pretty much a straight drop down if you slipped crossing the stream. @tourdumontblanc
The cutest baby foal/donkey that we saw play in his coral then started nursing. Aaahhhhh ❤️
Switzerland, the land of happy cows 🐮
You don’t see a herd of Ibix charging down the hill. Yay!
On a street in Barcelona tonight
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Our Story
We provide wine, food, culture and adventure travel for independent travelers, as well as small groups. We are an independent affiliate for Protravel International, a Virtuoso member. This affiliation gives us access to worldwide accommodations and the ability to provide extra amenities that are not available to those who book direct and online. We discuss and listen to your travel needs then design a custom trip just for you. Let us do the hard work and you enjoy the travel experience.
UnTour.Cool, Inc. was born from a unique wine import business that focused on importing ancient and unusual wine varietals to the U.S. The owner’s wine clients began to ask how they may travel to these unique places and have more access to the wineries, winemakers and their wine. The owner still organizes and chaperones one adventure per year, and each year she adds new and fun experiences to that trip. If you ever have a chance, join her on one of her adventures; it’s a great time and there’s always something new and fun happening.
