CONTACT US!

This album of travel inspiration has been brought to you by Melanie @ Tough Love Travel!
Talk to Melanie at (609) 923-0304 or melanie@toughlovetravel.com.
Or visit her at www.ToughLoveTravel.com for "fun adventure to get your out of your box".

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Soweto's shanties and smiles!

These are the faces of South Africa...
... the faces of Soweto...
     


My day spent in this area revealed shanties, but also smiles.   I had the great fortune of meeting Mandy, a 40-something gal who grew up in Soweto and now has been named Woman of the Year and owns her own company.








As Soweto's iconic Orlando Towers came into view, Mandy filled me in on apartheid history, starting with the organization of work camps during the Gold Rush and moving through the mass relocation on Johannesburg black residents, out to the townships, in the 1940s and 50s.

"Soweto" comes from "so where to now?", she explained, exposing the debasing loss of home experienced by this entire generation of South African Blacks.

In spite of the humiliations heaped upon them, they held fast to their community and their humanity, and have created a vibrant, though at times worrisomely poor, home.

Mandy took me to her old neighborhood where she grew up.   It was late morning and the local women had gathered with their toddlers at the local spigot -- their single water source for 100's of families -- to wash clothes.
Some local teenagers volunteered to give us a "tour", and, within minutes, we were standing in their home --  a 8'x14' corrugated metal shack, home to 6 of them,  ages 8 to 17!   The squalor was quickly dissipated by their bright spirits and their eagerness to host us.  One of the smaller boys held out a softball-sized doughy ball -- a treat that appeared to be one of the staples of their diet, that he proudly offered to share.   Before long, we felt right at home, and the conversation turned to a common turf:  soccer!

Other stops on the boys' "tour" included Marcus' home, which he had tricked out with a TV and frig, run by electricity siphoned off the grid,

and even a lunch stop at the local BBQ stand!

It's true that many of Soweto's residents live in conditions which we cannot even imagine.   Their homes are made of scrap metal and tarp, and a mere three portjohns service hundreds of folks!
 









But I was overcome by the friendship extended to me.  I was able to buy a lovely handmade necklace, made by this young gal--

And an older woman even invited me to spend the night with her in her home -- an invitation I would have loved to accept if I had not already booked a flight out to Durban.




Mandy
Mandy had encouraged me to stop at the local Farmer's Market to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to share with the mothers of Kliptown, one of Soweto's oldest and poorest communities (and, in fact, the place where Nelson Mandela hid out before his arrest in the early 60's).

My connection with Mandy opened doors not only to locals in the township, but also to famous Soweto residents like Winnie Mandela, whose home we stopped in for a brief event.



And that evening, Mandy returned with me and some other travelers to do a Shebeen Crawl -- that's a pub crawl, South-African-style!  Shebeens all offer drink, local music, and neighborhood camaraderie, but while some are official-looking (and even serve dinner), many are hole-in-the-walls, tucked down tiny dark alleyways, that we never would have found -- nor had the nerve to enter -- without an official escort like Mandy!

So for all the cheetah-and-elephant filled safaris, the exhilarating Table Bay sails, the spicy Malay cooking days, and even the special dinner in the Cape Town bank vault! --- when my mind returns to South Africa, it most often goes to the dusty lanes of Soweto and the faces that were my window into a soulful and welcoming world.

Want to check out more Soweto photos?    Go here!

Want to plan a trip to South Africa?   
Fundi-certified, with on-the-ground experience -- I'm your gal!  

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Got Dog, Will Travel! (dog-friendly travel in NJ!)

I'm Patrick, a wheaten terrier who lives on the canal in Lambertville, NJ with my Mom, Melanie, who owns Tough Love Travel.   Want fur-travel tips?  She's the one to call! (609)923-0304

My Mom is always hearing people lament,
"We want to go away but we can't leave 'Fido'".
So, last weekend, she decided to show people just how easy it is to take dog-friendly vacations with their furchildren!

We took off on vacation!   Next thing I knew, I was on Sunset Beach, in Cape May!

She got me a dog-friendly walk-out room at the Marquis de Lafayette, which was an ideal location, right on Beach Ave, across from the sand!  
 
When we go back, though, she wants to try a fantastic  fur-place called Billmae Cottage.  They may not have oceanview there, but they have dog-friendly amenities that are important to ME!  (Don't worry -- the human beds are comfy, too!  I tried them out!)

It's true, I wasn't allowed on the main beach across from the Marquis, but Sunset Beach, a short drive away on the southern tip, allows furry beachgoers all day long!  
There's even a dog-friendly cantina there with special seating at picnic tables on their lower level, just for "us"! 

Cape May is a great dog-friendly walking town, and we strolled block after block of Victorian homes, some with widow walks dating back to the whaling days of the 1600's.
It also has a dog park, over on Lafayette Street.  I found lots of friends there, and even some balls and toys left around to share.  Thank goodness my Mom remembered to grab a pass at City Hall (clerk's office, 2nd floor) before she took me!  Call for details: (609) 884-9525.
After I had playtime, I was ready to go out to dinner with the adults.   The bricked pedestrian mall is not dog-friendly, but there are some great restaurants, like the Ugly Mug and the Pilot House, around the corner on Decatur Street, where I could eat with the family!       My Mom loved the Pilot House's caramelized  salmon and I even got a bite!


Next my Mom plans to take me to dog-friendly Island Beach State Park, where me and my furkind are welcome on all beaches except the official pavillion swim beach #1 and #2.   Even the kayaking is dog-friendly there!

Going to NYC?
We are welcome on the free walking tours offered around the city by Big Onion-- everything from the Historic Seaport to the Gangs of New York tour!
Many hotels allow K9s too, but for something different, try a dog-friendly AirBnB!

So pack the car-- and the leash!   
And enjoy one last dog-friendly gulp of summer 2013!


Want inspiration and answers for dog-friendly trips in  YOUR local area?   
Grab a free phone call now, with Melanie @ Tough Love Travel!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Nancy taught me: FLEET RIVER BAKERY ROOMS!



For more info on staying at Fleet River Bakery or to plan your trip to the UK,  


call Melanie at Tough Love Travel:  (609)923-0304!


Wonder what's comin' out of the ovens at Fleet River Bakery?
You can find out, by following them on  twitter


OR travel to London and sleep in one of their rooms above the bakery.  Then, the aroma of sweet rolls and brewing coffee waft up to your bed from the kitchen below!  
Yes!  You can actually STAY OVERNIGHT in a room above the Fleet River Bakery, one of London's coolest gathering spots, just off of Lincoln Inn fields (the city's largest public square, see location below)
Fleet River Bakery has baristas specially trained to turned single estate beans into delectable lattes... chefs who whip up everything from frittatas to biscuits... and owners who host Cheese and Wine nights and who hand-select craft beers



And look what you get in their lodging rooms, above the bakery -- fluffy duvet-laden beds on polished wooden floors with nicely maintained baths --IN LONDON! for 84£ a night (about 130 bucks).
Where is Fleet River Bakery?  It's a 15 minute WALK away from the River Thames






Look for Fleet River Bakery on this corner:







Do you appreciate off-the-beaten-track lodging like Fleet River Bakery rooms?


If so, we should talk!





At Tough Love Travel, unique lodging is my specialty.   I'd love to tell you more...






Thank you, Nancy from PA, for introducing me to Fleet River Bakery!



Saturday, August 17, 2013

Julia taught me: OVERNIGHTING IN A MALLORCAN CASTLE!

If you never slept in a castle, or woke up in a treehouse, NOW is the time to try!
Melanie, owner of Tough Love Travel, will design a unique, adventurous trip, just for you!
Grab a FREE phone call right here, to discuss the possibilities... 

Ever dreamt of waking up in a castle

on the cusp of the Mediterranean Sea

where your job for the day is to keep watch over the old fortress walls (although no war ships will be coming... 

..only sailing yachts like the Delphia 33 that will sweep you off on a maritime daytour!)

Does this sound like a dream? 
An indulgence?  Definitely!  But not a dream!  It's a military-fort-turned-lodge, just outside of Palma, on the island of Mallorca, in southern Spain.

Where is Mallorca?    It's an island in the Mediterranean, a 2-hour flight (or an insanely long ferry ride) from Barcelona.
Why would you go to Mallorca?      It's a wild island (think canyoneering, kayaking, and full-moon hikes!)                                         
Yet it's developed, with a bustling city around an important port:

Foodies will love the wineries here, like Can Ribas Vineyard, one of the oldest on the island...  and honeymooners will love the privacy and the scenery!

Wondering how you'd work a vacation to Mallorca?
Barcelona is a great place to start!  Enjoy tapas and Gaudi in the bustle of Barcelona, then hop out to Mallorca for some sun and solitude!

Need a plan?  I would love to help!  Contact me at Tough Love Travel today!

Thank you, Julie of NJ, for introducing me to this cool spot!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Janet taught me: AUBERGE DE LA TRUFFE!

Love Foodie travel?  So do I!  At Tough Love Travel, I offer a free foodie travel guide (truffles and more):  
16 Extraordinary Foodie Experiences from Cairo to Connecticut!  Get  it here!

My loyal readers KNOW I'm a truffle fan!    I've interviewed Emma, the truffle-hunting K9 (here's her take on the truffle life of Umbria)  and made your mouth water with truffle-stuffed ravioli recipes!
But that's all in Italy!

Now, thanks to Janet, I have a great contact in France, too!    Auberge de la Truffe in Sorges!

At the Auberge, they like to boast that they offer the culinary traveler a unique recipe:
a generous welcome, warm comfort, and an authentic table!  
Sounds perfect to me! 



They are associated with the Hotel de la Mairie where you can overnight for around 110€ in a charming room.





Try the Truffle Terrine
During your stay, the cooking class is a MUST!  While visiting the land of foie gras and truffle, how better to learn the culture than to take a cooking class with a chef who has been in the area for 30 years!   The typical cooking class last the whole weekend, includes 6 meals (full of truffle recipes!) and 2 nights' stay at the on-site lodge, plus a farm tour!

Since you've made it all the way down from Paris to the quaint town of Sorges (6 hour drive), don't miss the truffle museum either!

Going on an actual truffle HUNT while you're in Perigord is a perfect compliment to your stay at Auberge de la Truffe but one important note:   Unlike in Italy's Umbria where different truffles come into season throughout the year and you can truffle hunt in all seasons (except when snowy), in this area of France, truffle season only lasts from mid-December til mid-February. 
 Here's the truffle-hunting labrador and his master, who'll guide you through the "hunt" in this field that looks barren despite its hidden treasures!

Want to read more?  Here's a firsthand account of a stunning truffle lunch at Auberge de la Truffe!

Want a laugh at some truffle trivia?
  • The number of days that a freshly-picked truffle remains fresh? Answer: 10 days.
  • How to keep truffles fresh for longer than that? Answer: Slice into thin strips, drizzle with olive oil, cover with plastic and freeze.
  • Why Italians pick their prized Alba white truffles at night? Answer: So that their neighbor’s can’t see them.
  • Foods that truffles pair best with? Answer: Neutral ones, like potatoes, rice, pasta, salad and bread.
  • Why female pigs make great truffle hunters? Answer: Truffles smell like the sex pheromone of boar saliva, a scent they find irresistible.
  • Why dogs make better truffle hunters? Answer: They don’t try to eat the truffles (unlike pigs) and are easier to work with than sex-crazed sows                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Have truffle vacation questions?                                                    I'm a phone call away and here to help with truffle travel! 
 Melanie @ Tough Love Travel:  (609) 923-0304!

Thank you, Janet, for introducing me to Auberge de la Truffe!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

My Colorado Crowd taught me: CASA DE JUDY in the Galapagos


I'm Melanie.   At Tough Love Travel I offer the most unusual and unforgettable travel itineraries for adventurous travelers!    Schedule a free phone call today to see how I can help YOU get out on the adventure you've been dreaming of!

If you're going to the Galapagos...

And want to spend some time on the island of Santa Cruz (instead of aboard a boat)....

But want accommodations more intimate than one of the big lodges...

Yet more catering than a private rental....


Check out LA CASA DE JUDY!

It's right on the edge of Puerto Ayora, and a short stroll to town's restaurants, artisan shops, and fish market...







It's got some units with a view of the sea, and big enough to fit a family...

An inner courtyard with a sparkling pool!...

And it's run by -- yes! -- Judy herself!
She started the guesthouse to accommodate visiting scientists, and has now expanded it to 19 units, hosting travelers from all over the globe.

Other ammenities?   Right there at the Casa, you can get a hot breakfast with fresh island fruit...

or relax, away from the bustling port...

or even book local tours....


Have questions?
You can get more info at the Casa de Judy website. (tell 'em Melanie @ Tough Love Travel sent you!)

Or grab a free phone appointment with me, to hear what YOUR Galapagos experience could look like!  I've boated all over the island chain and savoured townlife as well, so can show you how it's done!