Trolly car driving in Lisbon

So, my friends...
We have just finished a grand trip to Europe with a wonderful trip in Provence with 18 artists and their sketchbooks. They were learning how to paint with watercolour and I even joined in this year... Corinne has been painting for 3 years or so, so she had some pointers for me.... I learned that it is important just to delve in... no fear from this girl, even if you think that all you will produce is chicken scratches.

After the Sketchbook art tour we carried on to do more research for the next art trip. We skipped through Spain to land in Marrakesh, Morocco. How exquisite! The snakes in the Fnaa were there to charm us and we delighted in some tagines and wonderful Moroccan cuisine... we left the goat heads for the locals in the souks. We have decided that Marrakesh is a pretty exciting destination and have added it as an exension to our wine tour of Spain and Portugal.

Where next? Spain and Portugal of course! After the zip to Morocco we continued our research in Spain, starting in Madrid. We stay in the funkiest of hotels and take in the night life near the Plaza del Sol - a flamenco show is a must see! So much power!

We carried on west through Toro to taste wine and to paint some more - all the while knowing that we have two of the best pastimes on the planet. We hit the Douro valley for some boat tours and some grape stomping, not to mention good food! We have a friend who is a Portuguese bullfighter (and winemaker) who participates in the bullfight where the bull is not killed but tackled by seven competitors or matadors I suppose they are called... very interesting and entertaining!

Lisbon was a great surprise for us as we let our natural instinct take us around. We had a blast being tourists (for research purposes only) and taking pictures and painting.... that is how I came to be driving the trolley car in the recent picture. What a great city - beautiful, not hard to manoevre, and safe!

Our travels of Europe this spring were absolutely spectacular. I can't wait to share our experiences our travel friends, those willing to give us a try for the first time and those who know what a blast we have...you know who you are!

Will keep you posted with the next tour - the autumn in Italy - Florence through Tuscany and ending in Venice...

Travel with you soon!
Natascha

Corinne & Natascha's Wine Tourism Project in Chile

In Feb. we spend a week in the Maipo Alto Wine Growing valley of Chile just south of Santiago doing research on potential investment properties for Wine Tourism. Right now there are no places to stay or eat in this Wine Region, but yet there are beautiful wineries that offer up exceptional wines. Jose Manuel Garcia Huidobro of Concha Y Toro opened up many doors for us to talk about a potential Wine Tourism project including a 5 star hotel, spa, restaurant and possible vineyard with the property owners. They seemed very receptive to the idea as they know that this valley would have a certain tourist appeal to the North American traveller. Jose Manuel and his architect brother, Jorge will be our Chilean partners in this project. We are very excited about its potential and will keep you posted as we will be looking for Canadian investors.

Natascha works at Concha y Toro Winery in Chile

Next week I Natascha starts work as a wine guide at the beautiful, Chilean winery south of Santiago, Chile. Concha y Toro is the largest wine exporter in Chile and Natascha is there to share her knowledge of wine and tourism with the 1000 guests they welcome everyday.

Natascha in Pucon, Chile

Natascha is enjoying a week with friends from Santiago before starting her wine tour guide position at Concha y Toro Winery in Pirque, Chile on Feb. 25th, 2008.