This has been a challenging year to say the least and its not over yet.  Thankfully, with the introduction of the vaccinations there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It provides us with the hope of travelling in the not so distant future.  To each person travelling means something different. It could be visiting museums and galleries, taking a wildlife safari or trekking in the great outdoors.  For others, it’s trying a new food for the first time, or embracing the culture and people of a local community. One thing for sure is we are missing the experiences and personal enlightenment we gain from our travels. 

What  can travel do for you?

Travel is a chance to open up your world and be introduced to new perspectives on life.

Travel is about meeting the locals and learning about their cultures. It’s about human connection.

Travel is about the memories you create. You will remember the laughter, unique smells, fascinating sounds and the tastes.

It’s the times where you veer away from the planned itinerary.  The aha moments that teach you lessons you can’t find anywhere else.

Its the experiences that teach us to respect our ever-changing world. Sometimes we need to see it to believe it and connect us to what is happening in our world so we can become proactive  in finding solutions to climate change, over population, forest clear cutting, wildlife poaching to name a few. 

Travel can be about venturing into the wilderness and realizing just how grand  this planet is and how small you are. It can bring back feelings from childhood when you looked at the night sky and saw a million stars.

It makes us aware of the opportunities presented to us to make smart decisions for the planet and the communities we are visiting.

When the time is right, the world will need its travelers.

When the time is right, we will travel together again.

Start planning your next adventure with the Womens Travel Network

View our Trip List

Contact us for details or to reserve your place on one of our upcoming trip.

For Reservations, To Request a Detailed Itinerary or to Discuss the Trip details contact:
Worldwide Quest
491 King St. E, Toronto ON, M5A 1L9
Call:     416-633-5666 or 1-800-387-1483
Email:  travel@worldwidequest.com or Lewie@worldwidequest.com
Website: www.worldwidequest.com

For Information about the Womens Travel Network
Call: 905-771-8338 or 1-888-419-0118
Email:  info@blog.womenstravelnetwork.ca
Website: www.womenstravelnetwork.ca

TICO REG. # 2667946

SOLO TRAVEL
No one to go with?  Don’t let that stop You!

Our luxury small group tours are designed for the solo traveler.  Womens Travel Network provides solo travelers with local guides who speak the language, arrange logistics like hotels and tours, all in the comfort and safety of being part of an organized tour. 

Solo travelers can travel to destinations that they wouldn’t be confident to book on their own. Our local guides help the solo traveler understand the history and the culture of the destination while allowing them to relax and enjoy, knowing everything is taken care of by the WTN tour host. Travel in the safety of a group takes the hassle out of planning, thus motivating the solo traveler to embark on a trip to their dream destination. 

It’s mostly women that are doing more and more solo travel and women age 55 and up.

For 17 years WTN has been offering tours for the solo traveler and over these years the number of solo travelers has increased dramatically. Europe has always been a draw but the demand for more exotic locations is changing.  Some of our top-selling destinations are Morocco, Kenya, Vietnam & Cambodia. The Solo women travelers are keen to travel to some of the world’s most remote areas, but prefer to do so in the safety of a small group with like-minded women.

As a solo traveler, standing in front of the the ancient Egyptian pyramids by yourself, in wonderment at how you can be there alone.  But not alone as you are encompassed by the safety of the group, allowing you to see parts of the world you’ve dreamed of visiting, but never thought possible.

When vacation time is limited you want to make the most of every single moment, see the highlights and have those cultural encounters. Trying to coordinate everything on your own is not only costly but also time consuming.  WTN takes care of all the logistics ensuring You, the solo traveler has the trip of a lifetime by making sure we make the most of every moment.  

Our trips have been carefully crafted to deliver a personalized adventure like no other. We create enriching and unforgettable experiences and put the best private guides at your service. I invite you Join one of our small group tours (10 – 16 travelers) to experience the exploration, connection, growth, sense of accomplishment and the joy that comes from embarking on a solo journey. Enjoy the camaraderie and security of being with a group of like-minded women and develop friendships that last for years.

Debbie Ross
Founder of the Womens Travel Network
1-888-419-0118

by Debbie Ross, founder of the Womens Travel Network

After months of lockdown, and a vaccine on the horizon, people are starting to think about where to go in 2021 and 2022. Our travelers are more interested in bucket-list experiences and outdoor adventures in remote destinations, specifically places under threat from climate change or development.

We’re starting to see an increase in bookings. However, in order for international travel to fully restart, the industry must work together to rebuild trust and confidence. WTN and our partners have implemented travel safe protocols to adapt to the new normal. Airlines have  improved airflow to ensure viruses are removed by exceptional quality airlifters. Small ships, hotels and restaurants are implementing the enhanced health and safety protocols under the ‘Safe Travels’ program established by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

As you ready yourself for travel, take a look at some of our Top Places to Visit in 2021 and 2022:

Egypt: The world’s greatest open-air museum, Egypt offers the kind of bucket-list experiences many travelers were dreaming of while sheltering at home. With construction of the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, much of the tourism infrastructure surrounding the pyramids has been moved underground so the Giza Plateau has been returned to the desert.
We’ll explore Cairo’s grand 19th century boulevards, discover ancient mosques, Coptic churches and 10th century palaces, stroll in the medieval walled city of the Mamluks and stay at the luxurious Intercontinental hotel. Explore the great pyramids from the inside out. We’ll visit some of the  best-preserved tombs in the Valley of the Kings on our 4 day Nile River cruise staying  aboard the luxurious Sonesta Moon Goddess.

Kenya: Safaris naturally lend themselves to social distancing with small boutique camps that offer private entrances and outdoor dining, offering the perfect balance of adventure and serenity.  The luxurious Sweetwater Tented Camp is a haven that looks upon a watering hole visited by a variety of animals day and night.
Enjoy game drives exploring the grassy plateau of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, 90,000 acres of unspoiled African landscape, where the Big Five roam, including the last two northern white rhinos on earth. The Masai Mara National Reserve, home to some of Africa’s best game viewing. We hope to catch the end of the annual migration when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra herds attract constant attention from top predators. This adventure offers spectacularly diverse wildlife as well as a visit of a traditional Maasai village to meet the people.

Morocco: A great destination for travelers seeking an exotic off the beaten path destination with a Western Europe feel. You’re guaranteed an enchanting vacation filled with delectable tagines, dazzling souks and awe-inspiring Saharan landscapes. Explore spice markets, bustling bazaars and remote villages in the High Atlas Mountains. We’ll make our way south across the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert where we ride camels and sleep as the Bedouin do under a million stars. We’ll spend our days exploring while dining on authentic Moroccan cuisine and our nights will be spent relaxing in stunning traditional riads and hotels. Take in the captivating culture, ancient cities, sweeping deserts, epic mountain ranges– and warm hospitality that defines Morocco. All the while you’ll have the luxury of the complete peace of mind offered on a WTN tour.

Uganda: Endowed with a varied topography and a diverse set of habitats, Uganda is a yet understated country that happens to provide one of the best opportunities for up-close and memorable wildlife encounters that we’ve ever experienced. Perhaps the country’s greatest attraction is its more than dozen species of primate, many of which we will see. These include Red-tailed Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys and the ornate Guereza Colobus. Our journey begins on the shores of the great Lake Victoria, the source of the legendary Nile.  We’ll visit the impressive and thunderous Murchison Falls, which cut through a gorge channeling the waters of the White Nile. We’ll continue west making our way to the scenic edge of the Western Rift Valley. Along the way, we can expect to see many of the over 50 resident species of large mammal, including African Elephant, Lion, Hippopotamus and Plains Zebra.
A highlight will be tracking Chimpanzees at Kibale Forest National Park where there are a large number of resident chimp families in the forest. The undisputed tour highlight is our trek with our guide into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where half the world’s surviving Mountain Gorillas live, and where we may get very good views.

Galapagos: The only social distancing you need to worry about in the Galapagos Islands is staying six feet from the animals, which is not always possible when they have no fear of humans. These islands are an ideal vacation spot, with colorful wildlife guaranteed to captivate Accommodation for this journey is on The Beluga, a private yacht that is fully staffed and self-contained, with space to relax, both indoors and out much like a safari camp. 
Our Galapagos naturalist guide leads us on island walks and gives on-board talks during our discovery of these remarkable island ecosystems, skirting past nesting boobies, scouting the seas for breaching whales and snorkeling among colourful fish. Desolate at first sight, these rough and rocky isles are home to wonderfully strange and abundant wildlife. As Charles Darwin did almost 200 years before us, we will marvel at the highly adapted creatures found nowhere else on Earth. And what is so special about the Galapagos experience is that these creatures act as though humans are nothing more than a passing interest, allowing us to observe them up close and walk among them.

We’re making it even easier now to put a trip in your calendar! We know that travel is not back to normal and we won’t be back on the road until it’s safe. In the meantime, we want to make it easier for you to start planning your trip with an extension to our Flexible Booking Policy.

You can reserve your spot with a $50 per person registration fee. We’ll provide more details as soon as the travel advisory is lifted. We’re prepared with our Tour Ready and Travel Safe guidelines to optimize health and hygiene on tour and to make sure we provide you with the fulfilling experience you expect.

To book a 2021 or 2022 adventure, call 1-888-419-0118 or visit www.womenstravelnetwork.ca

7 Things You Need To Know About Air Travel Now

How we will have to adapt to changes and regulations that are being implemented during the current pandemic of coronavirus.

Due to the current outbreak of novel COVID-19 virus and the tremendous impact it is having on the travel industry, specifically on travelling by air, there are a lot of stories about the new normal of travel. So much information becomes overwhelming, and we will break it down to seven things you must know about air travel now.

This is not the first time that air travel has had to reinvent its safety protocols. Since 9/11 we are not allowed to bring water or any liquids through security check, and are often required to remove our shoes and belts. In much the same way we will have to adapt to changes and regulations that are being implemented during the current pandemic of coronavirus. You may need to wear a mask now even in a touchless empty terminal and forget about your favourite meals on an aircraft.

Prices for tickets will go up

According to IATA (International Air Transport Association) website:

If you think that airlines are struggling and are willing to give away cheap tickets, you are wrong. Airlines will jack up prices because of their debts and because there will be fewer airlines left in the market. It will still not be a monopoly but less competition always leads to higher prices. And if airlines do not go broke – they will be in major debt and take years to recover.

This would be unique to each carrier. Those with low liquidity, high costs and more restrictive government rules will suffer the most. If airlines will permanently be implementing fewer seats and restricting loads, then costs will have to go up for sure.

The International aviation authority has also indicated the air travel prices are likely to increase.

Airlines are no stranger to controversy over prices, particularly when it comes to taxes. Now new taxes are being introduced. The Austrian government will be introducing a new 30 EUR flight tax on flights under 350 km which will have negative impacts on low cost carriers. This may be a start of a new trend in Europe and worldwide.

Some airlines give you an extra bonus: for example passengers who purchase an Etihad Travel voucher between 10 and 24 June 2020 will receive an extra 50% cash value for future travel from 1 August 2020 onwards. You will need this extra bonus money because of inflation and ticket prices up in the near future.

Start getting used to wearing a mask

Masks or some type of face coverings are becoming mandatory to wear on board an aircraft. Most airlines will not supply passengers with masks. You have to bring your own mask. In Las Vegas McCarran Airport, PPE items can be bought at vending machines across the airport.

Masks are now also becoming mandatory in many airports. The GTAA, for example, is requiring everyone to have a face covering of some kind in public areas of the terminal. This includes both employees and passengers. Some operators are providing masks if required, others asking for people to bring their own. As a mandatory item, masks will be required for quite some time now.

Do not travel with 38 C or higher temperature

The Government of Canada announced on June 12, 2020, that there will be temperature screening in Canadian airports.

Air Canada and West Jet were already doing it. Temperature screening came into effect at Pearson airport on July 30, 2020. Other Canadian airports to follow.

Humans, however, can have a fever for the number of reasons: regular cold, infected root canal, pregnancy etc. Coronavirus tests being done at the airport upon arrival in some European counties. If your test is negative, you are released in couple of hours from the airport without the need of a quarantine for 14 days. Similarly, Hawaii is requiring recent test results of coronavirus test.

One thing you may see is international health passports that you will need to keep current for travel purposes. That would be interesting to do in countries that don’t have free healthcare.

Check current COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map

Empty airports

Only employees and passengers are allowed into terminal of Toronto Pearson as of June 1. All employees and passengers required to wear masks and keep social distancing.

Touchless future

There will be no tablet rental on the aircraft for a while. However if you are in an aircraft that doesn’t have an in-flight entertainment system you still can watch your favourite shows on the carriers app as many carriers now have their own app.

Social distancing paradox: because of slower processing due to social distancing in lines passengers are now required to arrive in airport 3-4 hours before their flight. However airlines are not forced to implement social distancing on the aircraft which means you may very well be sitting right next to someone who you just previously in airport kept distance from. For example, repatriation flight of Ukraine International Airlines on June 13 was completely sold out – 274 passengers sitting next to each other.

You will not give your passport or travel document to anyone anymore, you will show it with distance or put it against the glass for the officer to see. No paper boarding passes will be printed – scan from your phone only. Some airlines are taking an additional step: United Airlines will require passengers to complete a health self-assessment during their check-in.

Air travel, however, transports coronavirus. The Government of Canada created statistical chart with domestic and international flights that had confirmed cases of coronavirus onboard.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Locations where you may have been exposed to COVID-19

Travel bubbles

As countries begin to reopen, they apply a layered approach and many of them are creating Travel Bubbles. For example, people coming from Australia can only travel to New Zealand and vice versa.

There is a big push from the Travel & Tourism sector to appeal to governments to get rid of 14 days quarantine restrictions. It becomes meaningless to have a discussion about a restart of aviation if those restrictions are in place.

Read an open letter from Travel & Tourism industry leaders to the Prime Minister and Canadian Premiers on re-opening Canada to air travel

No food

There is either no food on board or fewer options now – bottled water only and no frills such as coffee or alcohol. No duty-free shopping either. You may be permitted to bring your own snacks and food. Do not expect buffets in airport lounges; however, lounges will still exist with prepackaged or plated meals, and actually touch-free lounges may be the safest place to wait for your flight in post COVID-19 world. Luxury travel resume fastest – premium travelers have money and time.

As air travel is entering a new stage in its history, it is important to stay informed.

Created by Iryna Koliuda, Travel Therapy 101

All of us at Womens Travel Network are eager to get back to sharing travel in  the most inspiring destinations in the world. We know that the decision of when to resume travelling is a deeply personal one for you and we want to give you some reassurance around the steps we are taking to safeguard your health and to provide a fulfilling experience on your trip.
It all starts with you. We want to make sure you are comfortable when it comes to safety and hygiene. This is our commitment to mutual respect within our community and between travellers and the people we interact with on our tours.
Together with our longstanding partners around the world we have redefined our hygiene and sanitation protocols with stringent measures that ensure a safe environment as part of our tradition of hospitality.

Our people

• Protective gear including masks and gloves will be worn by all our associates to provide a safe environment for our travellers
• All associates will have regular temperature checks
• All associates have a phone alarm as a reminder to practice regular sanitization

Itineraries

• We are reviewing all our itineraries and adjusting to spend even more time in secluded locations with fewer other travellers
• Our team of regional managers provide our group leaders with 24/7 assistance including quickly and efficiently modifying your route and activities to ensure you remain in covid worry free zones. Our managers are in regular touch with government certified medical teams for any requirements

Small groups

• We are evaluating the minimum and maximum group size in order to ensure appropriate distancing between individuals
• We are increasing the number of single spaces available
• We are adding additional vehicles so we can operate with fewer travellers in each van, mini bus, or coach

Welcome kit

• Our welcome kit will include a face mask and hand sanitizer. We are working to source Fair Trade masks to support members of our community in need during these difficult times

Mealtimes

• We are providing larger tables or additional tables to ensure that travellers can spread out at mealtimes
• We are providing hand sanitizers at all meals and ensuring that soap and water are available for hand washing

We are working with our local suppliers and hotel and restaurant partners to be sure they are adhering to the most up-to-date health and safety guidelines according to the recommendations of the WHO, the CDC, the World Travel & Tourism Council and the UN World Tourism Organization.

Our transportation partners have pledged to: 

• Conduct enhanced daily cleaning of vehicles and regular cleaning of all high-touch points such as door handles
• Sanitize and inspect all vehicles before and after every journey
• Make hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial wipes available in the vehicle
• Encourage the use of face masks for all participants within vehicles

Our accommodation:

• All accommodation we stay in will continue to be regularly inspected by our teams on the ground

Our hotel partners have pledged to:

• Adhere to international certifications and standards
• Provide contactless check in and check out facility
• Use hospital-grade disinfectant for housekeeping
• Continuously clean and sanitize all touch points in public areas
• Monitor chlorine dosage of swimming pools

Restaurants on our tours have pledged to: 

• Ensure maximum hygiene of staff including sanitization of uniforms, wearing face masks, and wearing gloves in all areas other than the hot cooking range.
• Wash and sanitize vegetables, fruits, and groceries
• Wash all dishes at 80 degrees C.
• Prepare food in small quantities to ensure only fresh food is served

At the airport:

New standard operating procedures will be in place at airports, including protocols such as:

• Passengers should reach the airport a minimum of three hours before departure for all  flights
• Passengers must compulsorily walk through a thermal screening zone before entering the airport terminal building
• Trolleys will not be allowed in the arrival or departure sections, except for special cases, for which they will be disinfected.
• Social distancing marks or stickers at a distance of at least a metre will be provided at the entry gates, screening zones, and passenger seating areas
• All passengers will have to wear masks
• Counters with Plexiglas or face shields for staff wherever there is interaction with passengers
• Passengers will be required to install a government contact tracing app on their mobile phone

More flexible terms & conditions

We are modifying our deposit to be more flexible so that you can book your trip with confidence

Our travellers responsibility:

Prior to travels, travellers will be required to complete a pre-tour wellness declaration, confirming they aren’t sick, and have not come into contact with anyone showing COVID-19 symptoms.

On day of departure our tour hosts will have pre-tour health declarations to be completed by all travellers, making sure everyone is healthy and not showing symptoms of cold, fever, or COVID-19.

We are giving everyone who’s trip was cancelled this year, first chance to book a holiday for 2021.

We expect this document to evolve as we receive updated information from government health and safety sources. We are continuing to evaluate every aspect of how we operate our tours and welcome your feedback on how we can meet your expectations as we resume travel together.

Please feel free to provide your input on your suggestions, concerns or questions to info@blog.womenstravelnetwork.ca

Womens Travel Network
associated with Worldwide Quest
491 King St. E, Toronto ON, M5A 1L9
Call:     416-633-5666 or 1-800-387-1483

TICO REG. # 2667946

by Debbie Ross founder of the Womens Travel Network

During this time of being asked to stay home I’ve been taking this time to reflect on some of my favourite food experiences from past travel adventures. Luckily, cooking is one of my passions and I’ve lately found great enjoyment in experimenting in my kitchen. Over the last 6 weeks I’ve created some spectacular international dishes to share with my family.

If we can’t currently travel to experience international flavours, we can hopefully enjoy culinary delights in our homes. If we think outside of the box when planning our menus you can travel Around the World in Your Kitchen. Hopefully this whets your appetite and keeps you hungry for foodie travel adventures when this is all over.

It’s really hard to top Sicily when it comes to food. No matter how much I read about the latest emerging food city or about the fact that Tokyo has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, I still think Sicily is one of the best places imaginable to eat. There are quite a few Michelin-starred eateries and a plethora of fine dining locations which are often housed in historical buildings or other breathtaking locations

I fondly recall a memorable meal in Erice, a medieval hilltop town located a couple of hours west of Palermo in the province of Trapani. This picturesque and charming town is one of the most attractive areas not only in Sicily, but throughout the Mediterranean. It is located at the height of 750 meters, from which you can admire all its medieval glory: its intricate alleys and courtyards make you feel like time has stopped. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view from Trapani to the Aegadian islands where, at sunset, a fantastic set of colours appears in front of your eyes and the rays of the setting sun are reflected in the whiteness of the saltpans.

This ancient village has the superb Michelin rated restaurant Monte San Giuliano, situated on the pedestrianised street in Erice’s town centre.  This cozy restaurant offers a lovely patio from which to admire the sunset and the chefs prepare delectable Sicilian fare. Sicily is full of these kinds of culinary experiences.

I had the pleasure of dining at Monte San Giuliano while hosting a group of ladies on WTN’s Sicily tour. This is where for the first time I tasted Pasta alla Norma, an authentic Sicilian dinner that’s welcome any day of the week.  This exquisite pasta dish has a multitude of local flavours incorporating roasted egg plant, fresh garlic and oregano then topped with perfectly aged ricotta cheese.

If you are looking to create a delightful Italian pasta dish in your kitchen I highly recommend Pasta alla Norma

Ingredients

– 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
– 3/4 pounds eggplants (2 to 3 small eggplants), trimmed, split in half lengthwise, and cut into 3/8th-inch half moons
– Kosher salt
– 3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
– 1 pound dry ridged, tubular pasta such as rigatoni or penne rigate
– Handful fresh small basil leaves, or roughly torn large leaves
– 2 ounces aged ricotta salata, finely grated

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add as much eggplant as fits in a single layer and season with salt. Cook, shaking pan occasionally, until eggplant is well browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer eggplant to a plate and set aside. Repeat with remaining eggplant, adding olive oil as necessary, until all eggplant is browned
2. Add any remaining olive oil and increase heat to medium-high. Heat until olive oil is shimmering. Add garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes, and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant but garlic is not browned, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly until evenly incorporated and tomato paste starts to fry. Add tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is thickened into a sauce-like consistency, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
3. Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
4. Add sauce to pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as necessary to thin sauce to desired consistency. Add eggplant slices and toss to combine.
5. Serve pasta immediately, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, garnished with grated ricotta salata and torn basil leaves.

Enjoy!

by Debbie Ross founder of the Womens Travel Nertwork

Staying at home and binge watching movies on the streaming channels has become a way of life for many.  I don’t know about you but I am constantly looking for good entertainment.  Then it dawned on me, why not watch some of my favourite Travel Movies. I can alleviate my boredom and satisfy my wander lust at the same time. Watching these movies stir up wonderful memories and emotions from my amazing adventures. One of my favourites and very sentimental to me is Eat Pray Love. It begins in Rome Italy, which is  where I lead my first Womens Travel Network tour in 2004.  Also, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel filmed in Jaipur India which is one of my favourite places to visit and the most colourful city in Rajasthan.     Here’s a list of some movies about travel or with characters who do the traveling for us and can easily be found on the various streaming services.  I hope you will enjoy them too.

Eat Pray Love: A career woman with a  perfect life that goes sour journeys to Italy, India and Bali, where she discovers those parts of the world and herself as well. Stars Julia Roberts and is available on CBS All Access, IMDb TV or can be rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than advertised, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways. Stars Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith and can be rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

The Bucket List: Two cancer patients with little in common  both need to make peace with the lives they’ve lived, as well follow up on the things they always wanted to do before they die. These adventures take them all over the world including  Egypt, Africa, China and the Himalayas. Stars Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, and can be rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

Away We Go: An unmarried couple in their thirties who go on a road trip around the U.S. and Canada to find the perfect place to live. Cities visited  are Denver, Phoenix, Tucson, Madison, Montreal, and Miami. Stars Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski, and can be streamed on Starz or rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

The Darjeeling Limited: When their father passes away, three brothers come together for a trip across India. Stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman, and available on HBO or can be rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

Europtrip: Dumped by his girlfriend, a high school grad decides to embark on an overseas adventure in Europe with his friends. The cities covered are London, Paris, and Berlin and Matt Damon has a supporting role. Can be rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

Into The Wild: Based on the 1996 book by Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild recounts the story of a college graduate from the suburbs, who turns his back on society and material possessions and sets off to the wilderness of Alaska. Stars Emile Hirsch and can be streamed on Starz or rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

Lost in Translation: In Tokyo, an old movie actor meets a recently married woman who is uncertain about her life. Stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, and can be streamed on Starz or rented from Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube.

by Debbie Ross, founder of the Womens Travel Network

Morocco is a country that has always fascinated me. It has been shaped by various  historical influences and the great dynasties of Morocco, the Almoravides the Almohades, the Merinides, the Saadians and the Alaouites.  It is visible  in the architecture, the historical sites, the people and you can taste it the food.

The Berbers, Morocco’s first inhabitants are responsible for culinary methods and practices that are still alive today. They introduced the tagine utensil more than 2000 years ago and are in fact responsible for the slow cooking and well-known cooking practice. The Berbers are also accountable for the common meat preserving technique still present in Morocco (such as ‘khlii’) and have abundantly integrated to their diet some crucial ingredients to Moroccan cuisine, such as couscous, chickpeas and beans.

The Arabs arrival in the 7th century has significantly influenced Morocco’s culinary heritage. In fact, the Arabs are the ones who brought the famous spices from China, India and Malaysia such as cinnamon, ginger, paprika, cumin and turmeric. Influenced by the Persians, they also brought nuts and dried fruits, which allowed the sweet and sour combination, still present in tagines and dishes like bastila.

The Moors, (Muslim inhabitants mainly based in the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century) from Spain had a strong impact on Moroccan cuisine. They are responsible for the increased production and use of olives and olive oil and the settlement of citrus gardens and fruit bearing trees. The Moors population was followed by the Jewish-Moors who introduced pickling and preserving fruit and vegetables techniques.

The Ottoman Turk presence in the geographical region introduced grills and barbecues (kebab) to Moroccan cuisine.

The French colonized Morocco in 1912 and brought with them a culture of cafés, wine, ice cream and patisserie.

Food is a very important component of a trip and  I love to cook.  Recently I was watching a cooking show which inspired me to learn more about Moroccan food and to create some of the delectable dishes. I didn’t have a tagine readily available but figured I could improvise with my skillet.  I did some research on the various blends of spices and ingredients and created my first Moroccan meal.  My family loved it!  I decided to share my recipe with you. I hope you like it too.

Debbie’s Moroccan Chicken (Vegetarian option with Chickpeas)

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless cut into bite size pieces
(for vegetarian substitute, 1 cup chick peas)
1 onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp grated lemon rind
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 red pepper, cut into bite size chunks
1/2 cup olives, pitted
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1/4 cup dates, chopped (raisins are a good alternative)
1/2 cup chicken stock (or vegetable if making vegetarian option)
4 springs of fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried crushed thyme
2 tbsp honey

Spice Blend:
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp cumin
1/2 tbsp ginger
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp black pepper (or 1 tsp if you want it a bit spicy)
salt to taste

Directions:
Heat oil in skillet
Saute chicken pieces on medium heat (5 minutes)
Add onion and garlic and continue cooking until onion is soft (2 minutes)
Add spice blend and continue cooking to bring out the flavours of the spices (1 minute)
Add lemon juice and lemon rind
Add the rest of the ingredients bringing to a boil
Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes
Take cover offer and cook for another 5 minutes to reduce some of the liquid, if desired

SIDE DISH:
Serve with couscous, quinoa or rice

ENJOY!

The New 7 Wonders of the World,  according to Wikipedia

(2000–2007) a campaign started in 2000 to choose Wonders of the World from a selection of 200 existing monuments.^[1] The popularity poll was led by Canadian-Swiss Bernard Weber and organized by the New7Wonders Foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland, with winners announced on 7 July 2007 in Lisbon.^[2][3]

Great Wall of China – China

Petra – Ma’an, Jordan

Colosseum – Rome, Italy

Chichen Itza – Yucatan, Mexico

Machu Picchu –  Cuzco Region, Peru

Taj Mahal – Agra,  India

Christ the Redeemer – Rio de Janeiro, Brazi

Great Pyramids of Giza – Cairo, Egypt (the only surviving of the original 7 Wonders of the Ancient World world was given honorary status)

The New7Wonders Foundation said that more than 100 million votes were cast through the Internet or by telephone. Voting via the Internet was limited to one vote for seven monuments per person/identity, but multiple voting was possible through telephone.^[4] Hence the poll was considered unscientific.^[5] According to John Zogby, founder and current President/CEO of the Utica, New York-based polling organization Zogby International, New7Wonders Foundation drove “the largest poll on record”.^[3]

The program drew a wide range of official reactions. Some countries touted their finalist and tried to get more votes cast for it, while others downplayed or criticized the contest.^[3][5] After supporting the New7Wonders Foundation at the beginning of the campaign by providing advice on nominee selection, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), by its bylaws having to record all and give equal status to world heritage sites, distanced itself from the undertaking in 2001 and again in 2007.^[6][7]

The New7Wonders Foundation, established in 2001, relied on private donations and the sale of broadcast rights and received no public funding.^[8] After the final announcement, New7Wonders said it didn’t earn anything from the exercise and barely recovered its investment.^[9]

Although N7W describes itself as a not-for-profit organization, the company behind it—the New Open World Corporation (NOWC)—is a commercial business. All licensing and sponsorship money is paid to NOWC.

The foundation ran two subsequent programs: New7Wonders of Nature, the subject of voting until 2011, and New7Wonders Cities, which ended in 2014.