The legend of Santa Claus

Americans have been celebrating Christmas since colonial days, almost always with Santa Claus, in one form or another. We’re accustomed to seeing the jolly old elf in his flying sled, decked out in red with a flowing white beard, squeezing down chimneys and leaving gifts under our trees. But in a certain town in Italy, they take the legend of Santa Claus a little more seriously.

            Down in the heel of Italy’s boot you can find the Basilica di San Nicola in the town of Bari. Nearly a thousand years ago, the remains of the bearded gift-giver known as St. Nicholas were interred beneath the church that bears his name. Well, most of the remains, anyway.

            Nicholas was a real-life Christian bishop who was born in what is today known as Turkey around 270 AD. During his 67-year-long life, Nicholas became known as the Wonderworker for the many miracles attributed to his intercession. He’s the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people and students in various cities and countries in Europe. His habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the modern version of Santa Claus.

            Nothing was written about Nicholas until centuries after his death, but some of the legends are remarkable. He rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack of gold coins through the window of their house for three straight nights, so their father could pay a dowry for each of them. He is said to have calmed a storm at sea, rescued three innocent soldiers from execution, and chopped down a tree possessed by a demon. For a time he was imprisoned by the Roman emperor Diocletian.

            Nicholas was buried in his hometown of Myra, or perhaps on an offshore island. Some 800 years later, with the Byzantine Empire in turmoil, Italian sailors seized about 75% of the saint’s remains from his burial church and took them to Bari. Two years later, Pope Urban II inaugurated a new church to house the remains and personally placed the relics in a tomb beneath the altar, where they remain to this day.

            Present-day residents of Bari welcome the Christian pilgrims who come to the church, but they perceive their local hero as very distinct from Santa Claus. Celebrations for St. Nicholas Day begin on December 5, with street concerts, parades and traditional food. Young girls looking for a husband line up in the basilica, praying for betrothal.

            In Italy, St. Nicholas morphed into Father Christmas in the 16^th century, bringing presents to children and sliding down chimneys. In the next century, Dutch settlers brought the legend to New Amsterdam, their colony on the American island of Manhattan. Santa’s red uniform wasn’t commonly seen until the 1930s, when it was popularized by Coca-Cola in an advertising campaign.

            Bari has started to cash in on tourism linked to St. Nicholas, with guided tours to the basilica and the local museum that houses artifacts, along with street tours that feature murals, including one in which the saint is doing yoga, believe it or not. The tours are on foot but also on bicycle and rickshaw. There’s even a popular local beer named San Nicola.

            Interested in traveling to Italy? Bari is only one of countless historical sites you can see there, and we can send you wherever you want to go, from the Alps down to the tip of the boot and Sicily. Chiamaci! (That’s Italian for “Give us a call!”)

 Airline fashion "do's"

We’re written occasionally about fashion “don’ts” for airline travelers. Some things are pretty obvious, even though we’ve all seen them occasionally: pajamas, bikini tops, flip-flops, and so forth. But what about airline fashion “do’s”? CNN Underscored recently outlined some guidelines that seem pretty sensible

·         Fit. Avoid clothing that’s overly tight or too small. Loose-fitting garments are best. For things like women’s leggings, make sure the material is soft and stretchy.

·         Material. Stick to cozy fabrics that look nice, like cotton or cashmere. You’ll be sitting in your outfit for hours, so you want material that feels good against your skin, isn’t itchy and has some give or stretch.

·         Layers. You won’t have access to temperature control for some time when you’re on a plane or train, or in an airport. Wearing layers is the key to comfort during your trip. Always have something warm to put on; it’s easy to take off a layer if you’re too warm, but if you’re too cold and don’t have something to put on, you’ll pay for it.

·         Function. This is where thinking of the purpose of your trip comes into play. Leisure, or business? If it’s a work-related trip, choose fabrics like wool or cashmere that look professional but don’t need ironing. Leisure travelers have a little more leeway, but should select clothes that can be mixed and matched for variety. Backpackers or anyone not checking luggage should wear and pack items that can dry quickly in order to wash and reuse clothing items when needed.

It's also a good idea to remember where you’re going and pack accordingly. Americans tend to be more relaxed than Europeans, for example, but when we go over there, we need to remember that we’re not in Kansas (or Wisconsin) anymore. Many European restaurants have dress codes, and we’ve heard of U.S. visitors being refused seating at restaurants because one or two of the party were wearing tennis shoes or shorts, or both. Women visiting the Middle East should prepare to wear clothing that’s modest by our standards, regardless of the weather, along with shawls to cover their heads when visiting religious sites. Men should be aware that open-toed sandals, cargo shorts and tank tops may cut it in American summers, but they’re usually considered very poor taste when abroad.

      Ready to put your fashion sense to the test overseas! Give us a call!  

 

Travel tips for long flights

All of us are used to flying economy class, or what used to be known as “coach,” and putting up with all of its…challenges, shall we say? Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens has a great take on one of them, the obnoxious fellow passenger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYMxDRj62aY

            Lufthansa, the German airline, may have a solution. Its new cabin design for the privately-owned version of its new widebody aircraft, the 777X, includes your own bedroom with a king-size bed and a bathroom including a rain and massage shower. But if such amenities are eventually included in commercial aircraft, they’re bound to be pricey. So, back to economy class we go. But how to make it more tolerable, especially for long flights? CNN Underscored, a product and recommendations guide, has some tips:

·         Pick the right airline. Not all airlines are created equal. Travelers can use online tools like SeatGuru to see if the airline and aircraft you’re scheduled on has particular in-flight amenities. Sometimes options of competing airlines aren’t available, but when they are, you might be able to help yourself by requesting an airline with more than a few basic amenities.

·         Ask for an emergency exit row seat. Seats in these rows offer as much legroom as first class, if not more. You’ll have to verbally agree to assist your fellow passengers in the event of an emergency, but odds are strong that you won’t have to worry about that.

·         Wear comfortable clothing. You want to feel good on the trip, and dressing appropriately is always helpful. Wear loose-fitting clothing, compression socks, two or even three layers in the event the plane is chilly, and make sure your outfit is relatively stylish. Things to avoid include open-toed footwear (especially for men), tee shirts, and anything that might be worn to the beach or around bedtime. (Yes, people sometimes board long-haul flights in bikini tops or pajamas.)

·         Bring ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones. If you’re not inclined to watch movies on a flight, you’ll like ear plugs, especially if you want to sleep. The headphones give you the best of both worlds: superb sound for movies or music, and near-total silence when you want it.

·         Get a good neck pillow. There’s the simple one, available at every airport, that’s basically three-quarters of a doughnut. Now, though, you can get them with upgrades, like a hoodie pillow. The hoodie can be pulled over your eyes to block out light and keep your head warm at the same time.

·         To avoid back problems, bring a lumbar pillow. Economy seats are not nearly as comfortable as first-class, and don’t compare to your easy chair back home, so proper lumbar support is vital, especially for long flights. Don’t want to buy another pillow? Roll up your jacket and use it for lumbar support.

·         For long flights, a compression mask/eye pillow. Not only will this combo keep out light and help you sleep, but its gentle compression provides relief from headaches.

·         And, to get even more comfort…There’s now an inflatable travel pillow that will allow you to lean forward and rest against the pillow, which sits in your lap and is held in place by your hands looped through side vents. The 45-degree angle of the pillow provides an alternative to leaning back in the seat. There’s even a type of foot hammock available now, for the vertically challenged passenger whose feet might not reach the floor when their seat is reclined. The hammock hangs from the tray table and provides support for the feet.

Ready to face the challenges of economy class? Whether you’re traveling coach or want to upgrade, we’re ready to help. Give us a call, and we’ll get you in the air in comfort!

Popular wintry destinations

We know it’s coming: winter. Officially, not until the winter solstice on December 21^st, but for all practical purposes, it was here around the first of November, with the first serious snowfall of the season. We grumble a bit, hunker down and resign ourselves to riding it out, again. Many of us circle that week on the calendar when we will be flying to someplace warm. But others celebrate the arrival of the snow, and if they circle any dates, they’re thinking about going where there’s even more of it.

            The National Ski Areas Association says Americans made more than 65 million journeys to play in the snow last year, with more expected this winter. More than six million were to the Midwest, and surprisingly there were four million to the Southeast, not exactly known as a bastion of winter fun. But some southern locations were among those cited as the most unique and popular wintry destinations:

·         Blowing Rock, N.C. This family-oriented resort has been around for more than 60 years. Several ski-lift options include one that’s a hand-pull contraption. Three terrain parks and a skating rink offer winter fun for the whole family.

·         Ober Mountain, Tenn. Snow tubing begins here before Thanksgiving and lasts into March, with ski and snowboarding season lasting almost as long. An aerial tramway connects downtown Gatlinburg with the mountain.

·         Ski Santa Fe, N.M. Thirty minutes by car from the city, this winter resort has 86 trails and on-site horseback riding and wellness activities. The resort’s beginnings go back to 1936, with a ski-lift tow rope powered by an automobile engine.

·         Taos Ski Valley, N.M. With abundant steep, challenging terrain, the area offers great skiing and a town with real Old West flavor, originally settled by miners in the 19^th century.

·         Ketchum, Idaho. Downhill and cross-country skiing in this northern Rockies area rivals that found farther south in Colorado, without the crowds.

·         Antelope Butte Ski Area, Wyo. Nearly two dozen ski runs down Bighorn Mountain aren’t all this area has to offer. The town of Shell got its name from the large number of fossil shells found in the area. Visitors can also see the tracks of dinosaurs and geologic formations going back 2 billion years.

·         Park City, Utah. The largest ski resort in the U.S. covers over 7,300 acres of diverse terrain, offering ski runs that start as high as 10,000 feet with more than 3,200 feet of vertical drop that challenges advanced skiers. More than 330 trails and 40 lifts draw skiers from all over the world, including those who came for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Lodge at Blue Sky, a 3,500-acre private ranch, has been recognized as one of the world’s 50 best hotels.

·         Mount Baker, Wash. Rated the snowiest ski resort in the world, this place consistently receives the highest volume of snow on the planet and claims the record for most snowfall in one season, 95 feet. Just south of the Canadian border, the area boasts isolated slopes that attract skiers who enjoy challenge combined with solitude.

·         Aspen, Colo. Many winter enthusiasts want to go where they might possibly rub elbows with celebrities, and Aspen’s four mountains, luxurious hotels and resorts, not to mention the town’s boutiques and gourmet restaurants, fit the bill.

·         Mauna Kea, Hawaii. A winter skiing getaway in our 50^th state? Yes, indeed. Mauna Kea is one of five volcanos in the state and is revered as sacred by native Hawaiians. It’s name means “white mountain,” referring to the perpetually snow-capped peak. Skiers and snowboarders are in for a unique experience when they come up here during the December-to-February season, because they’ll share the peak with telescopes from 11 countries in the world’s largest astronomical facility.

Ready to get in some skiing this winter? Give us a call, and we’ll get you to the slopes!

Valuable lessons learned through travel   When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. That applies to travel as it does to everything else, and there are quite a few folks stranded in Istanbul, Turkey, right now who are probably thinking they should’ve thought twice before putting their money down.             Only this time, it wasn’t just about putting money down, in some cases six figures’ worth. Many also sold their homes and disposed of most of their belongings. They were going to live on a luxury cruise ship for three years as it circled the globe, so why keep a house back home? It all sounded…well, almost too good to be true. Turns out, it was.             Life at Sea Cruises offered the opportunity of a lifetime, and 111 cabins were sold. The line’s inaugural voyage would be aboard a German cruise ship that had been retired by that line last summer. Money was put down by folks enticed by the thought of a retirement adventure that would certainly beat driving an RV around from campground to campground. The ship would pick them up in Istanbul on November 1, so over 200 passengers gathered there, only to be told the day before that the departure was postponed 10 days and relocated to Amsterdam. Then, before many of them could make their way to Holland, it was pushed back again, to November 30. But 13 days before that date, the passengers were informed the cruise was cancelled.             CNN reported last week that on November 16th, the Germans had sold the ship to another company. Life at Sea’s CEO resigned, but then recorded a video that was emailed to every passenger, admitting that she wasn’t speaking on behalf of her former employer but telling the folks that yes, the cruise was off, sorry about that. Everybody would be getting their money back by the end of February 2024.             Two days after the ex-CEO’s video, the owner of Life at Sea’s parent company, Turkey-based Miray Cruises, sent all the passengers an email confirming that the cruise would not be sailing. They couldn’t afford the ship, he said, and he was “extremely sorry for the inconvenience.” Investors had supported the purchase initially, but the current turmoil in the Middle East had caused some of them to withdraw their support. It would’ve cost upwards of $50 million to purchase and refurbish the ship and without additional outside investment, that wouldn’t be possible.             Miray had a smaller ship that was initially considered for the voyage but rejected because it was deemed too small, and the line wouldn’t change those plans. CNN said that ship is at the heart of a defamation lawsuit brought by Miray against Life at Sea’s former managing director, who jumped ship, so to speak, along with several other key executives last May. He’d called the ship “unseaworthy.”             It appears Miray is attempting to make things as right as it can, short of actually getting a ship and sending its passengers on their way. The company has promised full refunds and is arranging for them to receive the personal belongings they’d shipped to the line in advance of the planned cruise. Company executives went to Istanbul to meet with passengers to assist them in getting home.             Many of the passengers spoke to CNN about the debacle, although they wanted to remain anonymous since their refunds hadn’t come through yet. One said, “I had the next three years of my life planned to live an extraordinary life, and now, nothing.” Many said they felt “let down, deceived, betrayed.”             Is another cruise option out there? Maybe. The former Life at Sea CEO is now running another company, HLC Cruise Lines, and in her video she told the castaways that HLC was putting something together that might work if about half of them “transferred” to her new company. HLC’s website currently offers “boutique cruise liners” selling duty free gold bullion, diamonds and gems on board. But did they have a ship? Well, sort of; HLC said they might be able to put something together by March. Meanwhile, remember those erstwhile Life at Sea execs who bailed on the company last year? They’ve put together their own company, offering low deposits and guaranteed introductory rates for anybody who signs up for their long-term cruise. Do they have a ship yet? Well, no.             CNN didn’t say how many of those stranded Life at Sea passengers booked their cruise-that-never-happened through a travel agent. We suspect it wasn’t too many of them, if any. Anyone inquiring at our office, for example, would’ve gotten the benefit of our research, which would’ve found right away that Miray, the parent company of Life at Sea, only does short cruises in the Aegean Sea, which is a far cry from a three-year, round-the-world voyage. Red flag, anybody?             Whether you want to go around the world or somewhere closer to home, give us a call. We’ll find something for you, and it’ll be a trip you can count on!