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Imagine Going There Travel
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For Culture-Collecting Clients & Friends of Imagine Going There Travel THE COMPASS
MARCH 2024
DID YOU KNOW ...
Treasures of the Danube is a new 10-day itinerary and overnights in Passau, Vienna and Budapest. Along with two scenic sailing days, you’ll also visit two new stops to Grein, Austria, and Györ, Hungary. In Linz, your included tour will take you to see the church where the wedding scene was filmed for The Sound of Music, along with a tour of Salzburg. Sails Jan-March, 2025.
A Kentucky Celebration Brother Turns 50 With Friends and Family
February 19 was a special day in our family. My youngest brother, Joel, turned 50!
successive generations of the Stewart family, and they do an incredible job of creating a supportive yet independent living environment. My sister, Janice, planned a celebration for Joel, with all of the siblings who were available to come and celebrate. They arrived in time to take Joel to lunch, and he picked his favorite — barbeque. Janice and her husband, Dan, a minister at a church in Virginia, had the great idea of making Joel’s birthday even more special — they asked their church members to write cards to him. Then Dan asked extended family to send individual videos wishing him a wonderful day. With skill equal to that of a movie producer, he wove together all of the submissions and CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...
Since my parents passed away a few years ago, Joel has lived at Stewart Home & School, located in Frankfort, Kentucky. The campus is beautiful and is located at the old Kentucky Military Institute with 850 acres of beautiful farmland surrounding it. It’s a wonderful school, which was started 130 years ago by Dr. John Quincy Adams Stewart, who became a pioneer in special education. He recognized that those with intellectual disabilities were often denied educational opportunities in public schools, and wanted to create a place where people of all abilities were supported and encouraged. It has been owned and directed through five
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
A Few Useful Travel Gadgets
3. Water bottle with filter — While I’ve always thought this would be for more adventure travelers, this makes purified water from any water source. Not only will it make it safe to drink, it will make it taste better, which will encourage you to drink more. (Especially important since air travel is so dehydrating.) 4. Trolley Partner — If you like to carry a cup of tea or coffee onboard the plane, this will come in handy. It doesn’t take up much room in your suitcase and also has a pocket for your cellphone and passport as you’re walking around the airport. 5. Converter/adapter — while you will likely have enough
There are travel gurus who advise you not to overpack because you can buy pretty much what you need anywhere you go. While that’s true, an ounce of prevention could save you precious travel time finding those things you might need. I was reminded of this on our recent trip to the Mediterranean. The subject of favorite travel gadgets came up, and our friend, Brad, who has traveled to more countries over his lifetime than I can count, shared some of his favorites: 1. Extension cord — Even though the ship or hotel may have adequate outlets, you may need more than expected due to all the extra devices we now take with us. Plus, this tip will also help if you don’t get a chair by an outlet at the airport while waiting for your flight, too. 2. Cord labels — This is especially handy when you have to separate the cords from the adapter or when someone is helping to gather up last-minute items from the hotel. These clearly identify what belongs to you as well as what device it charges. (Helpful once you get back home, and they are all put away in random places, too.)
regular power outlets onboard your Viking ship, you will need adapters for the hotel stays before and after the cruise. Do you have a favorite travel hack? Email Carol@ImagineGoingThere. com by April 18 and we’ll do a drawing for a free Trolley Partner for you to try on your next vacation!
Unusual Sleep Practices in the Middle Ages THE 2 ACTS OF MEDIEVAL SLUMBER
In the Middle Ages, most people didn’t sleep for eight uninterrupted hours like we do today. Instead, they had a “biphasic” sleep schedule, which means they had two sleep phases, one in the evening with a brief period of activity in the middle. For first sleep, the household typically slept from 9–11 p.m. They slept on one single straw mattress. Everyone — including children, parents, and visitors — huddled on one bed. Despite the lack of space, they tried to make it as comfortable as possible with complex sleeping arrangements. Touching, kicking, or any other restless activity was considered rude. Meanwhile, girls slept closest to the wall, followed by boys, guests, and parents. While they didn’t have alarm clocks back then, they had an internal clock that woke them up around midnight. Once they woke, they had plenty to do. They refueled the fire, did farmwork, and prayed. Often, people socialized with each
other, but the busy schedules of farming families cut down on chatting time. After they went to bed for a second sleep, they’d wake up at dawn. Not everyone kept to the schedule. Young children slept all night unless they woke up to the commotion. Benedictine monks dozed at 7 p.m. and woke at 2 a.m. for prayer, staying awake until an afternoon nap. Still, most people followed the two-part sleep schedule, and medieval medicine even discussed how to do it properly. For example, medical texts recommended that they lie on their right side during the first sleep and switch to the left on the second sleep. It’s really not that weird — research suggests that biphasic sleep is quite natural and influenced more by lifestyle compatibility, which means the eight-hour schedule likely evolved as cultures industrialized. Our emphasis on uninterrupted slumber also coalesces with our invention of modern mattresses, and this may not be a coincidence. Sleeping is much more enjoyable if you lie down on a soft mattress than a bed of prickly straw.
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“All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action.” —DEMOSTHENES
... CONTINUED FROM COVER
capped it off with squirrels singing happy birthday to him, including his name (not sure how he dubbed that in, but it was impressive). Next came the trip to Kentucky. Earlier that morning, we had a presentation to a wonderful group at Del
Webb Southern Springs in Tennessee, then drove to Frankfort to join the festivities. My brother, Glenn, drove in from South Carolina. Joel has a lot of great friends and teachers at the school, so we thought it would be fun to commemorate this special day on his own turf and let his friends join in the celebration. Jan and Dan had picked up a huge cake for all the students and teachers to enjoy, then Joel got to open all of his cards and presents. We
Teriyaki & Pineapple Chicken Meatball Stir-Fry
You can use any combination of vegetables in this recipe — I love this because it’s healthy and fast to prepare.
Ingredients Sauce: • 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup broccoli florets • 1 cup fresh green beans • 1 8-oz package mushrooms, quartered • 1 red pepper, sliced • 1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced • 1 12-oz package Aidells Pineapple & Teriyaki • Chicken Meatballs, quartered • Hot cooked rice
• 3/4 cup chicken broth • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce • 2 tbsp soy sauce Stir-Fry: • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 tbsp chopped garlic • 2 cups chopped cabbage • 1 cup cauliflower florets
capped off the day with the celebration dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse. He chose a filet mignon, and they even brought a fancy dessert, which he fully enjoyed.
I think Joel felt properly celebrated, and we all enjoyed the time together.
Directions 1. In a small bowl, add cornstarch and stir in room- temperature chicken broth until smooth. Add teriyaki and soy sauce and stir. Set aside. 2. In a large sauté pan over high heat, add 2 tbsp oil and swirl to coat. Add onion and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until lightly browned. Add cauliflower and broccoli; cook for 2 minutes, then add remaining vegetables, continuing to stir until just crisp-tender. Add meatballs and continue stirring until heated through. 3. Reduce heat and make a well in the center of the pan. Slowly stir in sauce until thickened and vegetables are coated. Serve over rice.
As much as we mean business about taking great vacations, simple celebrations can have just as much meaning and provide great memories, as long as someone is willing to put in the time to plan it.
Jan and Dan did that for Joel, and it was a special time for everyone.
—Carol Shaddix
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
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Everything you love about Viking, only better! A great destination is just one part of an amazing vacation. Just like having a master chef prepare your meal at your favorite restaurant, as one of Viking’s largest representatives, we’ve booked these vacations countless times. We intuitively know how to enhance the outcome of your experience so it consistently delivers above and beyond your expectations (and know when those special promotions such as extra shipboard credit or free airfare are available that you might not know about). Whether you are interested in an individual reservation or want to travel together as a group, call 770.421.9627 for your free consultation on how to make your next vacation even better than you expected!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. 2.
A GRAND DAY OUT!
TRAVEL GADGETS WE LOVE
A DEEP DIVE INTO MEDIEVAL SLUMBER
3. 4.
TERIYAKI & PINEAPPLE CHICKEN MEATBALL STIR-FRY
TALES FROM OUR SAILS
Horacio and Elisa Report on Viking’s Newest Rhine River Cruise Exploring Europe’s Treasures
Horacio and Elisa Perez just returned from Viking’s Treasures of the Rhine river cruise and had an amazing time! “It was an awesome experience revisiting cities and discovering new ones,” Elisa tells us. “Nijmegen and Mainz became our favorites. The included tours were well planned with knowledgeable guides allowing for time for us to explore on our own.” They spoke highly of the crew and amenities, saying that the food was excellent, especially the soups and desserts. The chef, René, was approachable and took a genuine interest in making sure everyone was happy and taken care of. She said “He went above and beyond to accommodate individual requests.”
Elisa had high marks for the crew, too. “Emilie, our Program Director, organized entertainment and interesting lectures. She was everywhere greeting us with a smile — the life of the party! Our waiters, Aleksandra, Rudy, and Goncalo, became part of our family, and guest services were always there to help, especially Fatima. The hotel manager, Americo, was everywhere making sure all was taken care of.” Horacio and Elisa have taken 12 Viking cruises, and while on their very first ocean cruise, came across another passenger who has since become a good friend of theirs. That person recommended that for future Viking adventures they get in touch with Carol Shaddix and Imagine Going There Travel.
“Ever since we reached out to Carol, every cruise turned out to be an excellent experience because she has provided great guidance while making our travels more personal,” the couple says. “It was a special moment when we met Carol and her husband in person as our ships docked side by side in Mainz!” What’s next for this adventurous couple? They will be traveling India in November and then to Cities of Lights with Imagine Going There Travel in March. Come join them – Horacio and Elisa will make any trip a lot of fun!
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