What a wonderful trip!

don guy — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:58:00 -0400

Oscar Wilde has it down! …the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page but my life speaks volumes after a trip like this! And I return again and again to my pictures to remind me. View this tiny sample of my many photo captures from last summer’s escape with Make A Change – drinking in picturesque Portofino, peach bellinis and Hotel Splendido’s “killer” capresse salad drenched in local olive oil, shopping for treasures in Cannes beneath immense movie star posters, kissing on the way to Lucca in Tuscany, discovering an amazing Calder at poolside in a quiet, French hotel garden, connecting with inspired, motivational speakers like Scott deMoulin and Dallyce, convincing Sylva she must be my signature “stone” muse, sleeping under the stars and watching sunrise on the way to St. Tropez (such pink glasses my darling?), dis-embarking in Rome looking rather “yacht-y” (where did I find these cropped white Euro trousers?), realizing many of my favorite things were within reach on this incredible excursion…my bride most of all!

File Download (0:00 min / 0 MB)

Simply Amazing

editmacj07 — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:40:00 -0400

Anyone and I mean anyone, who was fortunate enough to be on Sydney’s Mediterranean voyage last summer will attest to the “experience of a lifetime” which – no matter how much or how well you’ve traveled – you must seriously consider.

Our Make A Change dream voyage was originally influenced by wanting to have time “just for us”, by looking to explore more of the world in a new way at sea, and sub-consciously, by knowing it was time for some serious self-discovery.

This became a more eye-opening, if not, life-changing event than I expected. I garnered something from all of Sydney’s speakers. But two in particular, touched the right chord and realigned my personal passions. Add to that, opportunity to really connect with so many fabulous and bright, new people. As metaphors go, the creative fire that was fizzling in me, rekindled unexpectedly in one of these workshops, and within days, new business directions and ideas just starting flowing. I felt equipped knowing not only “what” but “how”. I created markers (attainable but clear goals) for myself. This became a brilliant gift, a nifty set of shiny new “tools”. My husband, Don, and I cooked up three new business ideas over one “land excursion” exploring beautiful Lucca (in Tuscany) all by ourselves. We came up with another novel, promotional idea over sunset caviar and cocktails with new friends from California and Sweden.

We also had hilarious fun and that’s critical for us. After 24 years you had better like “playing together”. It’s essential in our life. In fact, we laughed so hard for so many nights at dinner with Sydney and Michael and dozens of other new friends scattered at candlelit tables, I decided this was my new favorite “aerobic activity”. I’m certain I burned at least half the calories I consumed … not?

Digression to aerobics: one cannot really worry about dieting but exercise is easy aboard this trip. For me, it was hard to beat SeaDream’s swim deck activities especially if you are the fish I am. Just swimming off this full-equipped swim deck each morning was luxurious albeit safe, effortless and my sort of heaven. The “rules of the road”, so to speak, depended upon the port and the water conditions, obviously. But the wonderful British social director, Richard, accommodated my daily whim with personalized, 1st class service allowing most “early morning” dips to occur. This contributed to that elated feeling that this was “our own private yacht” trip.

For, if I tell you nothing else, consider this, please: unless you own your own private $300-million dollar floating villa aka SeaDream yacht—complete with “elite” amenities and absolute world-class service that flows like the boat’s fine wines—you cannot appreciate how great this really is. Sleeping under the stars on deck, cozied up in plush bedding, “tucked in” (almost) by our own personal concierge “Mira” was a highlight. I’m sorry, but is this really something many of us don’t experience. Dining outside at night with friends or quietly on deck for breakfast especially, watching birds, dolphins, the water, each other, was completely relaxing. Just taking in early morning on the water was the ultimate luxury – it’s something you can’t do on any other “cruise” in this same way as many staterooms and dining rooms are enclosed. Plus – everything tasted fantastic.

Don had his “This is a perfect Espresso!” handed to him (by impeccably – mannered but humorous Claude who seemed to know without asking) and of course, accompanied by the 3-course breakfast selection of the day. (Warning: Do not diet on this trip.)
I would focus on the amazing organic fruits (loved discovering Holland was “their secret source”), fresh homemade baked goods and all the books I never get to read, and well, that was just the start of the day. We made time to explore ports one would love to see: Portofino in Italy was top and so lush and supremely gorgeous topped by the Splendido hotel lunch arranged by Richard again. We also loved the more exotic, hard to access ports that only ships the size of Sea Dream can maneuver. Corsica was our favorite based on the swimming pool blue waters, extreme white limestone rock formations, the exhilarating and gorgeous cliff hike with the Captain, and French street shopping in the fantastic medieval village of Bonificio. Napoleon was captive here! What tough luck?!

This was one place we claimed we were jumping ship and never leaving. Go there – we’ve been to most of the Greek islands and this is among our top favorite places now!

Or take the trip next summer in July!

I hear Sydney is returning to Corsica. I wonder if more couples will renew their vows or get engaged. (Yip! … it really happened!