• Group tours
    • Vampires
    • Cakes and Coffeehouses
    • Writing Retreat
    • Recent Trips
  • Custom Travel
    • Custom Travel Services
    • Travel Interest Form
    • Mystery Vacations
  • ABOUT US
    • What to Expect
    • Liz and Adam
  • Travel Notes
Leaping Hound Travel
  • Group tours
    • Vampires
    • Cakes and Coffeehouses
    • Writing Retreat
    • Recent Trips
  • Custom Travel
    • Custom Travel Services
    • Travel Interest Form
    • Mystery Vacations
  • ABOUT US
    • What to Expect
    • Liz and Adam
  • Travel Notes

Black Lives Matter

Travel notes

Stories, advice, recommendations, and news.

Random Cool Vacation Ideas

9/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
We talk a lot about group tours (which are awesome!) but don't forget we can also arrange custom travel for your own personal vacations. And there are some REALLY COOL things we can do. Here's a random sample!
​You could...
  • Enjoy a private dinner on the ancient city walls surrounding Dubrovnik, Croatia 
  • Zipline through the jungle in Tulum, Mexico
  • Cruise around Antarctica and see penguins and seals in the wild
  • Get a private, insider's tour of Tokyo's best nightlife hot spots
  • Helicopter around the volcanoes of Hawaii
Do any of these sound good to you? Do you have your own cool ideas? Let's chat! You can fill out our travel interest form, or just shoot us an email any time. (We'll get back to you with almost alarming speed. :-) )
0 Comments

U.S. Passports...

8/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
We're going abroad in November, for the first time since the pandemic, for a beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. When we booked the trip, we realized both our passports needed to be renewed. Before the pandemic, it took approximately 6 weeks to get a new or renewed U.S. passport. As of right now, the State Department is estimating wait times of 18 weeks--yep, three times longer than it was in 2019. This is due to both pandemic-related slowdowns and an unprecedented demand; people are eager to travel abroad! 


Do you need a new or renewed passport? (Remember: your passport must be valid for at least six months AFTER your return from abroad.) Get one now! You can start at the State Department's passport application website. You can also look up the passport office nearest you. 

Need your passport in a hurry? You can read through the State Department's list of services available based on need. You can also consider using a private service that specializing in expedited passports, though this could set you back an additional $60-$400 on top of the passport application fees. Services like Fedex "Rush My Passport" and Allstate Passports handle the work for you, to get you your passport sooner. (Though we should note we have not personally used these services and cannot personally vouch for them.)

When we got our passports renewed, we went to our local post office and it was a one-stop shop: we got our photos taken, filled out our applications, paid the fee, and paid to have them expedited. We also paid for rush shipping to and from the State Department. And, good news: USPS tracking says they arrive today! 

Don't leave it to chance or luck, or hoping that the State Department's speed improves--get yours renewed now!
0 Comments

Liz's Packing List

5/13/2021

0 Comments

 
On the basis that sometimes it's more useful to see something highly specific and real than it is to see a document designed to cover all scenarios, I thought I'd share my personal packing list from my 2019 three-week trip to Europe. I was leading a group tour through Italy and Switzerland, then going to France and the Netherlands on a family trip. 

carry-on (big purse):
Small accordion file [note-I use the two accordion files to keep group tour info organized]
Big accordion file
Macbook
Wallet
Passport
Phone
Glasses
shawl
medicine
journal
pens
European SIM cards

checked bag:
9 dresses
1 pair of leggings
1 black oversized cardigan
2 pairs jammie pants
2 jammie shirts
shorts for under dresses
underwear
socks
bras
makeup
moisturizer 
contact lenses/solution/case
toothpaste/toothbrush
deodorant
small folding hairbrush
tampons/pads
laptop charger
phone charger
converter/adapter for outlets
Archer 2 [you can see more about Archer 2 here]

That's it! That's my list! Let me know if you have any questions about it, or what your personal travel packing lists are.
0 Comments

The Fires of Vesuvius

4/23/2021

0 Comments

 
I (Liz) just finished reading The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found by Mary Beard, and it was utterly fascinating. Beard is an English historian who has written numerous books described by the New Yorker as "learned but accessible." The Fires of Vesuvius details what we really know about life in ancient Pompeii in the decades before the 79 C.E. eruption.
She discusses everything from the layout of the streets, the bars and restaurants, murals and art, food (wine, cheese, fruit, bread, olive oil! yum! but also so much fermented fish sauce...), commerce, relationships, and more. She shares translations of graffiti in gladiators' barracks (people have been bragging about their sexual prowess for thousands of years, it seems), advertising slogans, and campaigns for political office.

Above all, the book drives home that the people of Pompeii were real, living, breathing human beings like ourselves; yet at the same time making clear that we can't assume things about their lives based on how we live our own. 
She cuts through the sometimes easy answers historians in the past have found, showing that they often say more about the historians themselves than the citizens of Pompeii, and clearly explains what we know and how we know it.
Having been to Pompeii, I loved that I was able to picture the places she was describing, though at the same time it made me ache to go back and see it again with fresh eyes. I know I'll be re-reading it before our next trip to Italy.

Interested? I highly recommend it.

Dying to see some ancient ruins in person? Come with us to Italy in January, 2022 for our 10-day trip, Pasta and Science! Through the end of April, anyone who registers will receive $200 off the cost of their program!

[FYI, if you buy the book using the link above, Leaping Hound Travel makes a small commission.]
0 Comments

Why You Should Go to Italy in January

4/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
There are a lot of reasons to visit Italy, of course. But why, specifically, should you go in January? Read on and find out!
​
1. Lack of crowds January is the off-season for Italian tourism. This means sights that are typically so choked with people that it can be tough to even get close to them--like Rome's famous Trevi Fountain, for example--will now be approachable places where you can linger, admiring them, taking photos, relaxing. This also means public transport, like Rome's Metro, will be significantly emptier and easier to navigate.
2. Comfortable weather Italy's heat can be brutal in the summer. In January, the average high temperature in Florence and Rome is in the mid-50s: comfortable enough that you won't need more than a light jacket, cool enough to make you really relish a steaming cup of Italian coffee each morning.
 
3. Affordability Traveling in the off-season means some of the priciest parts of travel, like flights and hotels, are significantly less expensive than they are during the high season. 

4. Availability Want to schedule a visit to St. Peter's Basilica or the Colosseum? With fewer visitors, places that require advance booking will have more times available for you to choose, and require less advance notice.
​
5. Shopping January is THE month to visit Italy if you're a shopaholic. The big semi-annual sales begin early in the month. You'll be able to score unbeatable deals on everything from shoes to clothes to luggage--even furniture, if you don't mind shipping it home. 

​Convinced? Come with us to Florence and Rome in January 2022. 
Questions? Send an email our way--we'll get right back to you!
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Travel Blog Spotlight: Exploring the Netherlands

7/11/2020

0 Comments

 
There are lots of great travel blogs out there. How do you choose what to read? We'd like to recommend some excellent Black travel bloggers, focusing on different themes each time. Today, check out three of our faves and their features on the Netherlands.

Hey! Dip Your Toes In: 31 Things to do in The Hague, Utrecht, and Rotterdam During the Winter

Eulanda & Omo Osagiede are married Londoners whose site  features articles not just about travel, but also food, lifestyle, and important social issues (check out this recent post about being an ally to Black people). 
We like this article because it features three cities we love that are often overlooked when people consider travel in the Netherlands, and focuses on a season that's not known for travel, either. One of our favorite recommendations: 
"You can go crazy for fries at Frietwinkel and try their organic, award-winning fries with a plethora of toppings, like pumpkin ketchup. "
Picture
Picture
Picture

TravelEatSlay: 24 Hours in Amsterdam

TravelEatSlay is more than a travel blog. They sell adorable tees, tanks, and swimsuits, plus, as of June 2020, they created an extensive Black Travel Directory, a list of over 200 Black travel professionals, organized by location and type of company.
We like their 24-hour guide to Amsterdam because it's straightforward, filled with fun activities without being overstuffed, and really conveys a sense of fun. A sample bit of advice: 
"Arriving at Amsterdam Centraal station, hop on one of the 24/7 free ferries crossing river IJ to North Amsterdam. Once on the other side, we stepped into an industrial area that has been transformed into a edgy, vibrant neighborhood."

An Unstoppable Journey: City Spotlight: Haarlem

Monique at An Unstoppable Journey is actually an American expat living in the Netherlands, so she has a fantastic collection of articles all about life in the Low Countries. She's also in the process of running 50 races in 50 countries before she turns 50 (!!!) so she has lots to share about running, too. 
Haarlem is a delightful little city just outside of Amsterdam, and Monique digs into all that makes it wonderful. She highlights Teyler's Museum, a science museum dear to our own hearts, which is "famous for its extensive collection of prints and drawings from many of the old masters... as well as for its eclectic collection of fossils, minerals, scientific instruments, medals and coins."
Picture
0 Comments

Black Lives Matter.

6/18/2020

0 Comments

 
Black Lives Matter.

We recognize the reality, and centrality, of institutionalized racism and white supremacy in the United States (and other parts of the world). We support those protesting to demand that political leaders, and indeed every member of our society: acknowledge the systemic racism and injustice faced every day by people of color; and, take action to dismantle the levers of institutionalized white supremacy. Among others, we recommend statements on the nature of systemic racism such as this one from Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and the philosophy and goals of Black Lives Matter.   

As a travel business, we also recognize the historical connections between tourism and institutionalized racism. Likewise, we acknowledge the ways in which tourism, particularly among  those who come from nations with a history of imperialism (imperialist endeavors themselves both reflecting, and further contributing to, institutionalized racism and white supremacy) has perpetuated the objectification and othering of people of color. We are committed to fighting against the discourse and practices of what has been termed colonial tourism.

In addition, Leaping Hound Travel is committed to taking additional steps in support of Black lives, including:
  • Donating 10% of profits from all trips through 2022 to Black Lives Matter
  • Partnering with Black-owned vendors and companies whenever possible
  • Promoting and amplifying Black voices in the travel industry

-Liz & Adam,
Leaping Hound Travel Co-founders
0 Comments

Planning During the Pandemic

6/18/2020

0 Comments

 
Wow. When we last wrote about the pandemic, it was March 1, and while COVID-19 seemed scary, many of us had yet to acknowledge the extent to which it would soon come to affect our lives. Events developed with stunning rapidity thereafter. Just a couple of weeks later, with the virus spreading in the United States, our jobs as professors shifted to online teaching for the rest of the semester, and our state enacted social distancing guidelines in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. 

Now, as researchers learn more about the virus, and as multiple entities work diligently on treatment and vaccine possibilities, questions are emerging about when a return to something resembling normalcy might be possible. But with so much uncertainty surrounding continued or renewed outbreaks and the potential timelines for medical breakthroughs, there are as yet no definitive answers to that question.  

Where does that leave Leaping Hound Travel? As of now, registration for our January 2021 trip to Italy remains open. However, given the current unknowns, in the coming weeks and months we will rely on guidance from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, as well as governmental travel and activity restrictions, in order to determine whether that trip can proceed as planned. We are hopeful that it will. Of course, we believe it would be an outstanding trip, but more vitally, once it is again safe to travel, we want to be able to support the places on our itinerary that rely heavily on tourism, and who will be looking to bounce back economically from the impact of the virus. 

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the above information or anything else. We get back to you super fast!

-Liz & Adam, 
​Leaping Hound Travel Co-founders
0 Comments

Which European Dessert Are You?

3/9/2020

0 Comments

 
How about a little whimsy and fun? One of our favorite parts of travel, of course, is the food! In particular, we love sampling desserts in the countries where they were first created. Dutch apple pie in the Netherlands, for example, is very different than the Dutch apple pies you can buy in American grocery stores. Plus, from the elaborate cakes of Hungary to the waffles of Belgium, our favorite desserts have a wide range of styles and characters. What better topic for a fun quiz?

So take a break, have a little fun, and find out which classic European dessert you are! 
0 Comments

Managing Fear while Traveling

3/1/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
To travel is to leave your comfort zone -- to go to a new place, with new customs, new sights, perhaps new languages. Expanding your world is one of the great parts of travel, but it can bring with it new concerns and fears, whether real or perceived. 

How do we deal with such concerns when traveling? Every situation is different, of course, but it is vital to be ready to respond to unexpected, or even tragic, events. A few years ago, we were leading a group in Amsterdam, a day or two from heading to Munich, when a mass shooting occurred in Munich, outside the Olympia Shopping Mall, in which nine people were killed. Members of our group hastily contacted their loved ones back home to let them know they were safe, and that in fact we had not yet left Amsterdam. We re-reviewed our emergency plans and procedures with our group, monitored the ongoing situation closely, and kept our group updated. With no indication of further violence being likely, and with no additional government-instituted travel restrictions, we decided to proceed to Munich as scheduled when our stay in Amsterdam was over, and our group enjoyed several days there, without incident.

Right now talk of the coronavirus is everywhere. Some of our dearest friends are currently vacationing in Italy, where there have been outbreaks. Though reports suggest that risk is significantly reduced just by washing your hands thoroughly and not touching your face, and that the mortality risk is low if you aren’t already in poor health, it can still be scary to consider. 

This seemed like a good time, then, to share with you how we at Leaping Hound Travel try to manage the risks of travel--how we find balance, enjoying the world and our lives, without being ignorant or reckless of potential dangers.

  • Rely on information from reputable sources. In the current atmosphere of concern over the coronavirus, for example, that means the counsel of an organization such as the CDC or WHO, not social media posts by self-proclaimed “experts.”
  • Consider the odds. Although issues such as terrorism are often more centrally on people’s minds than other fears, statistically the most dangerous part of a trip is the drive to the airport. Assessing what degree or level of risk might be defined as "normal" or "reasonable" is an important element of any traveler's judgment.  
  • Reduce risk where we can. This can range from awareness of unattended baggage in public places in an area under heightened security measures, to hygienic steps such as more frequent hand-washing in a place with an advisory regarding contagious illness.
  • Plan ahead. Do the homework beforehand, and decide in advance what will be done if the worst happens. This also means…
  • Communicate. All group members should have the same information, be kept up-to-date, and know what to do if something were to happen.

Adam said it best, when asked once if he worried about danger while traveling. He said that, to him, the far worse possibility would be to live a life unexplored, to let fear stop him from doing the things he wanted to do. Naturally, this doesn't mean being reckless or uninformed about legitimate concerns or dangers. Instead, by taking the steps listed above, we attempt to find an effective balance in which we have a firm awareness of risks, which is crucial, but without allowing fear to control or dictate what we do.

As the co-founders of Leaping Hound Travel, this means that we keep ourselves informed, make educated decisions for our groups, and always communicate regarding concerns and contingency plans. We know that you put your trust in us as tour leaders, and we take that responsibility seriously. If you ever want to talk more about dangers or fears one may encounter as part of travel, just email us and we’ll get right back to you. 


​

0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
Custom Travel Services • London & Paris • Budapest & Vienna • What To Expect • Who We Are
Picture
Facebook |Twitter | Instagram  |  Email Us
Leaping Hound Travel, LLC   |  608-509-7520  | travel@leapinghound.com |  PO Box 46577, Madison, WI, ​53744
  • Group tours
    • Vampires
    • Cakes and Coffeehouses
    • Writing Retreat
    • Recent Trips
  • Custom Travel
    • Custom Travel Services
    • Travel Interest Form
    • Mystery Vacations
  • ABOUT US
    • What to Expect
    • Liz and Adam
  • Travel Notes