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Brett hiking in a sand paradise
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Virginie about to take flight...
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Brett toasting to another
good year
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Manu & Claire did
Turkey together!
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Welcome to Claudia,
Marco, and Pino!
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Welcome also to
Mary & Melissa!
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Stephanie's mosaics
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NEWS |
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NEWS Itinerary
- Welcome to our NEWS page, where we keep you updated on new trips, guide activities, special offers, and media attention! We are extremely happy to report that our new Vespa & scooter trips are selling well, and getting lots of attention in the world press.
Special offer, sign up for one of our Italian Vespa trips between January 15 and February 15 and get 100 Euro off the trip price!
* Scooter/Vespa trips: Customwalks launched a new division, Scooter Bella, in Spring 2006 and it is enjoying a resounding success. We were profiled by London's prestigious Sunday Observer (in April 23, 2006; see it here), by The Australian (in August 12-13 2006), and recently in a 3-page full-color spread in Britain's Telegraph. See the article here! (mid-way down the page, "The Vespa and Italy").
* Our Guides: we know that many of you have traveled with us before and so may be interested to know what your favorite guides are up to. See below for reports on their activities and whereabouts, and feel free to send them e-mail either via their customwalks.com addresses, or via our offices here at info@customwalks.com. We promise to pass on all messages of good cheer!
Ciao and happy trails,
Brett Naisby
UK office - We are delighted to announce that my friend Jon Magoni will be representing us in the United Kingdom. I met Jon 12 years ago when I first came to Tuscany and we have been friends ever since. Jon' father Claudio created a very successful company called "Cottages to Castles" that specializes in Italian Villa Rentals. They have been leaders in the UK market for over 20 years and now they will be promoting Customwalks and ScooterBella throughout Great Britain. UK residents can book directly through Cottages to Castles using the www.customwalks.co.uk website.
The Guardian UK - Scooterbella as well as Cottages to Castles are featured in the travel section of The Guardian UK on January 20th, 2007. Here's a link to the article.
This article is the second about Scooterbella published in UK newspapers: the first one was printed in The Observer on April 23rd, 2006.
General Information
Guide updates:
Brett & Virginie went on a week-long trek through the Algerian desert back in November. Amazing, they said!! Check out some pictures here to the right...
Brett: I had a busy season orchestrating the new Vespa trips and coordinating some other great new trips (like Turkey!). Dolly and I are once again spending three months on the "other side," our annual jaunt to New Zealand. We return to Tuscany in April and look forward to a good 2008 season! Please con't hesitate to contact me for information on any of our trips: info@customwalks.com.
Claire had a great 2007 season, with 12 trips in the usual places (Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and Turkey again!). This winter she returned to the U.S. for Christmas then followed the sun to Arizona, Hawaii, California, and Mexico. Up next: Rio in March! Her translation of a French biography of Ho Chi Minh came out this year (phew!). You can see it on Amazon!
Sagra is taking some time off of her teaching in Spain to concentrate on her Anthropology degree -- AND see the world (she is currently in India!). Expect some serious conversation on the trail next time you see her!
Virginie had a busy season in France, doing a number of private trips as well as the standard Provence Bike. In November she returned to Algeria to do one of her amazing desert treks, this time with Brett in attendance! We hope to offer this as a new tour next year. Her winter fun includes a trip to New Zealand for some sunshine. If you're interested in hearing about Virginie's adventures you can contact her directly at: virginie@customwalks.com. The photos look amazing!
Carol and Luca are at home looking after their two sons, Daniel (who is now into the "delightful twos") and Mattia, who is already riding a bike (of course). Luca has also been busy working on his own blog. You can reach Carol at: carol@customwalks.com and Luca at: luca@customwalks.com.
Emanuela (Manu!) got married in June and had a fantastic honeymoon in Australia. She is now back in Siena recuperating from a big season, including a Turkey tour with Claire. Life is tough!
Stephanie had a big season this year, doing a bunch of Tuscany walks and some private tours even further afield. Now she is at home in Ravenna working on a mosaic commission for clients in the United States, and getting used to the fact that her eldest son has just started college (time flies!). Check out her beautiful mosaic work at Twin Dolphin Mosaics. |
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