Compass Club Travel Blog

Certain things in life are meant to be: peanut butter and jelly, Sonny and Cher, Oreos and milk...but nothing pairs better than a delicious wine and a flavorful cheese. If all this wine talk has left you wanting to open a bottle, here are some delicious pairings and recipes to satisfy your appetite while adding a delightful wine infused-flavor. Traditional Sangria Ingredients 2 bottles chilled dry red wine, like Rioja 1 cup brandy 1 cup orange juice 1/4 cup superfine granulated sugar 2 oranges, cut into thin rounds 2 Meyer lemons, cut into thin rounds 3 Key limes, cut into thin rounds 2 apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks 2 cups cold club soda Directions In a large pot or bowl, combine the wine, brandy, orange juice, and sugar and stir until ...

When one thinks of Napa Valley often the visual of sun kissed rolling vineyards, barrels of aging Chardonnays and platters of cheese come to mind. That visual may be accurate now but just like its hilly valley, Napa Valley has gone through its own ups and downs.  In 1831 the first American settler, George Yount, arrived in Napa Valley, where he planted the very first grapevine. The wealth gained from the San Francisco gold rush created an instant demand in wine. Business was thriving until Prohibition put the cork on the fun and closed nearly every winery…with the exception of those making sacramental wine for churches. The uprooted vineyards were transformed into homes of less popular prune and walnut orchards. ...

While getting sick or hurt on vacation is not desirable, it does happen. However, there are ways to prevent it that you should note. Preparation is the best way to combat any sickness and it’s important that you know what to do before you pack your bags. What to bring Other than your daily medications, you should bring a small first aid kit containing the basic necessities. It can be difficult to navigate pharmacies in foreign countries and sometimes they may not offer the products you need. We suggest bringing the basics: basic wound care (bandaids, anti-bacterial treatment, tweezers, etc), allergy and pain medications, anti-diarrheal medicine, hand sanitizer and whatever else you feel like you need. Research Knowing about any potential health problems ...

Visit Calgary this summer, one of the top 5 travel destinations for 2012! While you’re up there, experience the pristine blue waters of Lake Louise and the soaring peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Made of shale and limestone, the highest peaks reach nearly 13,000 feet and remain snow-capped even into the summer months. Travel along the Icefields Parkway for the best view of the grandeur and majesty of this mountain range. Don’t be fooled though – modern construction has left Jasper National Park untouched. As the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies, it features Maligne Lake where you can take a lake cruise and learn about local history, geology and wildlife. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff is situated near North ...

Heart-shaped balloons, boxes of chocolates, a dozen red roses...It must be getting close to Valentine's Day! Whether celebrating with a loved one or having a get together with some friends, these recipes are sure to warm up any heart. White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Ingredients 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs 3 tablespoons white sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries 2 tablespoons white sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/2 cup water 2 cups white chocolate chips 1/2 cup half-and-half cream 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to ...

I just returned from Mayflower Tours European River Cruise – The Blue Danube. What made this perfect was the ease of traveling on River Cruises. We experience four countries – Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany with our seven-night cruise. Mayflower Tours chartered the entire river vessel, the MS Diamond, thus we were able to stay with our company culture throughout the River Cruise. Why was it perfect? Just a few of the reasons... We unpacked just once All meals were included – 20 total – plus teas, sweets and late snacks each day We were served unlimited (local) wines and beer at dinner We all had comfortable river-view staterooms Our touring experience was enhanced with local guides at each port of call Touring with the use of ...

The gracious city of Savannah offers rich history and is one of the most beautiful cities in America. You'll be mesmerized by the gorgeous Southern-style homes, beautiful parks and tree-lined walks and streets. As Georgia's fourth largest city, Savannah attracts millions of visitors from around the world who enjoy the city's historic buildings, magnificent coast and Southern charm and hospitality. Savannah's downtown area is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States. As you drive through the Historic District, you'll discover secrets of the stately mansions and even pass the 1820 birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts! You'll see the squares and streets where movies such as Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of ...

The leaves on the trees have hit the ground here at Mayflower Tours' headquarters. The weather is getting a chillier and we're all bundling up as we prepare to head into the holiday season. The staff at Mayflower Tours is excited for the holidays and we always love sharing our favorite recipes of the season with you! Here are just a few of our favorite Holiday Season recipes – we have so many that it was hard to narrow down! We hope you will enjoy our recipes during the holiday season. Pumpkin Gingerbread Ingredients 3 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 2/3 cup water 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves 3 ½ cups all-purpose ...

Each edition we share our expertise with you on travel. In our last edition, travelers asked us to discuss tipping guidelines while traveling. Knowing who to tip and how much to tip while traveling can most definitely be confusing. And, while tipping is never a must, it is usually always customary. Below are some guidelines that we believe are best to follow during your travels. Doorman: $2 baggage handling, $1 for hailing a cab Taxi Driver: 10% - 15% Airport Porter: Usually, porters charge $2 for the first bag. If they do not, pay at least that. Add a dollar or two for good service. Other Airport Staff (Ticket Agents, Flight Attendants): Tipping not necessary! Housekeeping: $2 to $5 a day. There will more than likely ...

Each addition we feature a popular destination in one of our most popular and hot selling holidays. This edition we highlight Oregon – featured on our Pacific Coast Journey holiday. Mayflower Tours is pleased to announce that we will offer touring of the Oregon Coast in 2012. Oregon’s coast has so many amazing things to offer and you will see them all when you join us on Pacific Coast Journey. Oregon became the 33rd state over 150 years ago and is home to the 29th largest U.S. city – Portland, “The City of Roses”. The Columbia and Snake rivers define much of Oregon’s northern and eastern boundaries. As you can imagine, the Columbia River has played a large role in the geological, ...