Welcome to the June 2007 ExperiencePlus! Rambler E-Mail Newsletter

• Dear Folks, A letter from the owners
• History, Romance & Revenge in the Loire Valley
• Tour Report: Cycling the Turquoise Coast of Turkey
• From Our Customers: Stacey Sondek
• Who Killed the Electric Car?
• From Paola's Kitchen - Tiramisu (the popular Italian dessert)

Dear Folks,

Here in Colorado the spring showers have helped the grass and the trees thrive. The hills actually look green as summer approaches. We had a full month this May with inaugural tours in Croatia and Turkey, as well as our classic Venice to Pisa tour in Italy and Provence tours in France.

As usual, the Price family is traveling. Monica went to Croatia, Rick went to Turkey while Paola stayed at the Farm in Italy, and Maria Elena went back to Colorado from Italy where she spent most of April and part of May (it's nice to see a green Colorado for once!). Check out Rick's tour report on Turkey, with some great photos, here.

We've brought you a classic recipe from Italy this month, tiramisu! The name means 'pick me up' in Italian. This simple but delicious recipe is fast and easy to make so dig in (but consume with caution, as dependency has been known to develop).

In June we're sending off our 2nd Expedition from St. Petersburg to Istanbul. The route is a bit different, we even have one person coming back for a second time - it should be a grand adventure. You can see pictures from last year's edition here, and soon this year's photos will be posted as well.

That's all for this month. Join us later this summer or fall if you have time.

Sincerely,

Maria Elena Price

Tour leader Jonathan Hancock says of our Loire Valley tour:

This tour has all the elements of a blockbuster or best-seller: romance, liaisons, murder, revenge, forced weddings, and charismatic historical figures.

A little digging into the history of the area, which was a favorite playground of royalty for centuries, shows that he's not kidding! On this 101 level tour you'll enjoy leisurely rides through rolling hills and still have energy to stroll the halls where kings and queens once roamed.

• Read the more about the Loire Valley's history here.
• Check out the "Bicycling the Castles of the Loire Valley" tour here.

ExperiencePlus! founder Rick Price just returned to our Italian headquarters from the inaugural Cycling the Turquoise Coast of Turkey tour, and sent in this brief photo essay on the experience:

No other tour offered by ExperiencePlus! provides the wealth of classical history that this tour does. Add excellent food gathered among ingredients from throughout the Middle East and the world, bicycling along one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, and the exotic architectural traditions of Ottoman Turkey and the Islamic world and you have a tour unmatched anywhere.

Read more of Rick's report on our new Turkey tour here.

Our interview this month comes from Stacey Sondek, who's found a solution to the age-old animosity between cyclists and loose dogs:

What's your favorite ride or hike in your hometown? Near my apartment there are a lot of tobacco farms. With few cars to worry about and beautiful scenery it's an incredible ride. There were some voracious farm dogs that used to chase me, but now that I bring dog biscuits to throw to them they are usually lined up waiting for me! Puppy love!

Read the rest of Stacey's interview here.

Rich Young recently watched "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and took it a little more personally, perhaps, than the filmmakers intended:

"Who Killed the Electric Car?" is a documentary on the bizarre tale of electric vehicles in the last decade that had me squirming on my couch. You see, I killed the electric car. I can explain, if you'll give me a chance.

Read the rest of Rich's confession, and the review of Who Killed the Electric Car?, here.

When tour leader Michele Boglioni sent us this recipe, Sarah Babbitt bravely volunteered to make it despite the hazardous nature of the work:

Be forwarned: Michele says, "Consumare con cautela può indurre a dipendenza!" ("Consume with caution or it can lead to addiction!")

Click here to read the rest of Michele's Tiramisu recipe.

If you would like additional recipes, visit our online recipe archive. You'll find recipes for European and Latin American specialties like Panzanella: a Tuscan Salad, Tapenade, Gallo Pinto, and more.

Happy Walking and Cycling until next month!

E-mail us at tours@ExperiencePlus.com with comments and questions. Or give us a call at 800-685-4565.

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