Monday, May 23, 2016

Newport, Rhode Island--A Colonial & Gilded Age Journey
Art of Travel Group Trip
May 2016

Comments and Photos



Susie Mammel:  What  a pleasure to work with a small, private, adventuresome group and watch them engage with such high caliber gentlemen from Newport, Rhode Island.  Dan, author, lecturer, preservationist, is one of those.  His wealth of knowledge is layered by historic architecture, religious freedom and the wild stories from the "Gilded Age."  On the other hand, Paul, curator of the Newport mansions, led us through a plethora of decorative arts to build the layers even higher.  Gilded Age Newport is one of a kind in the world!


Dan Snydacker:  Author and preservationist 
of all things Newport, our connoisseur guide
at Kingscote.

Dan Snydacker:  Susie:  What a great time we had!  This was a wonderful group of very accomplished, intelligent, energetic women.  Your prompting to dig deeper into the meaning of what we had seen was really stimulating.  



 
Paul Miller, Chief Curator, Newport Preservation 
 Society in kitchen of Marble House


 A folly" in the beautifully
 landscaped garden. 

Sandra:  As you know, I read "Gilded" on the way home from Newport and finished the book as we landed.  One advantage of reading later is that I recognized people in the book I never would have thought about until visiting their homes.  Let the group know that there is reference to Laurence and Judith on page 254 and the opposition to their museum being in the neighborhood.  Neighbors showed up to oppose their use in zoning hearings.  They may not feel welcome yet!  Also, on page 264 is a reference to Ronald.  We missed a wonderful intellectual by not meeting him.  He hosts wonderful dinner parties and is a well known part of the community!  So sorry we missed meeting him personally, but we did get to experience his surroundings!  What a fun trip!  Looking forward to continuing my education in the wonderful estates and gardens on England!  Thank you so much for arranging both of these memorable experiences!
Janie in the Ogden Codman garden.


 High tide
                                                        

 
Newport caviar at high tide


Famous Newport Private Beach by Artist, Childe Hassam


The Breakers, Vanderbilt Museum, Newport

Margo at The Breakers

Margo:  I thought the trip was fabulous...really top guides and Inn.  Meals were great (prefer apples at lunch, but I can be flexible...).  You really aced the weather!  Could not have added one more sentence with more information.  But, for my back, I thought the ratio of walking to bus rides, etc. was good and the special touches were really wonderful--Ron's visit, the art gallery, etc., even your reading list was spot-on.  Seriously, reading "Gilded" was a terrific introduction.  Thanks for such an excellent experience.


George Washington pew--Trinity Church, Newport


Kathy, Nancy, Kaye, Janie, Janis at Francis Malbone Inn, Newport

Janis:  I loved the trip.

Nancy, Kathy and  Margo, enjoying girlfriends in Newport


Hunter House and Townsend Goddard furniture 
makers.  One of the rarest examples of a slab 
table that survives today.

Shirley at the home of Doris Duke.

Our 1960s Doris Duke look.

                                                     
Kaye at the Clark Cook House, Newport

Sandra--lunch on the run in Newport.

 
Janie:  This is a very interesting article about Touro Synagogue.  I thought you might like to read it since we were just there.  What history that place had and what a wonderful trip we had.  Susie, thanks for all you did to make the trip so special for us all.

Dan Snydacker, tour guide:  These are the headlines in this morning's paper (May 17).  The boxed quote is from Bea Ross.  Thought the folks in the tour might be interested.  Update:  ...the Touro Synagogue will remain with its congregation and not become a museum only.








Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Comments
Chile

Susie:  The expedition cruise, 4 days, on the Stella Australis was the perfect cap to a great trip.  This 300 passenger ship was designed to access the fiords, going through the Magellan Strait and landing on Cape Horn.   I felt like I was taking a part in the dramatic history of the worlds development.   Imagine the passages through the Magellan Strait, all the ships lost going around Cape Horn which is considered to be the most hazardous journey of the day.   A must do for anyone going to Chile and or Argentina.  

Sometimes the place we stay becomes a memorable part of the trip.   Such is the case of The Singular in Puerto Natales, Chile.  This property is a converted sheep slaughter house.   The hotel is the original building including the machinery, the woodwork, dock, and so forth.   The dining room is so good none of us wanted to venture out to other quality restaurants in Puerto Natales.  If you go there don’t forget to check out the museum.    

Throughout the southern Patagonia region we saw glaciers even the Canadians and folks from Alaska found impressive.   While on the cruise we went through Glacier Alley which takes your breath away.  Imagine watching these from the luxury of your cruise drinking the obligatory scotch.  Each glacier is named for a different country.  As we passed by they served us hors d'oeurves representing the various countries.   Fun and well within the spirit of the moment.    Roberta
Cape Horn (2 photos above)
The Singular, Puerto Natales, Chile

Comments
Grand Velas, Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

Hi Susie:  You've done it again. Grand Velas was AMAZING!!!!!!! It was the perfect long weekend getaway. The hotel truly is amazing. The pool was pristine, the food was great and the staff was so nice. We loved every minute of it and immediately told my parents that they should consider this for a family trip over Thanksgiving next year. We really had the best time.  Thank you, Margo

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Comments
Turkey and the Greek Isles

We booked our 30th wedding anniversary trip through Susie Mammel at Art of Travel. Everything was fantastic; flight seats, being picked up and delivered to airports, incredible hotel accommodations and tour guides, the best room on the ship! We have never felt so pampered and taken care of. Our trip was amazing, start to finish.
Thank you Susie and Art of Travel for creating such a memorable trip for us!

Sandy & Richard
Hagia Sofia 

Basilica Cistern

Santorini, Greece


Comments
Galapagos Cruise

I’m here in the Galapagos relaxing with my friends the Sea Lions.  This indeed a trip
of a lifetime!  I felt so at peace and at one with nature, as it was meant to be. Up close
and personal.  I loved every minute of this trip, a life changing experience.  

Sandy



Comments
Alaskan Cruise

Susie, 

Attached are some photo's taken during our 50th anniversary Alaskan cruise. The trip far exceeded expectations...sightseeing was awesome!...weather very pleasant!...shipboard life offered something for everybody-the kids LOVED it!...we did it all -ziplining, dogsledding, kayaking, rafting, float planes to watch bears catching salmon, etc.

Best of all...wonderful family togetherness, and lot's of great memories. This was a PERFECT venue for a family trip. Lot's of fun and just the right mix of activities and family time.

Mike & Nancy
Mike & Nancy

Bear & Salmon
 At a cabin on Kenai Peninsula

Preparing for a speedboat excursion




    

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Comments
Iceland, Copenhagen, & Sweden

Dee,
Thank you so much for making our trip absolutely wonderful- we really appreciate your help and wonderful suggestions. We will call on our next trip!
Dave & Gena