December 2007—Casa de Las Madres
February 2008—Libraries for Peace
April 2008—Cruise North Expeditions
June 2008—Seabourn Cruises
July 2008—All About Africa
September—2008 Argentine Barbeque & Tango
December 2008—Christmas Cocktails and Canapes
February 2009—The Adventurous Side of South America
Top Bar
2009 Holiday Party Report from Pat Andrews
It was a cold and damp evening last Thursday but if you were at the Lakeside Café at the San Francisco Travel Professionals annual Christmas Party you would not have cared.
The evening started with wine, provide by Naydine Booth’s daughter, Robin Booth, who works for Ironstone Vineyards. We were then served a delicious three course meal with a selection of Steak, Salmon or Grilled Chicken. The private room and the service were great so we will be returning to the Lakeside Cafe’ for our Annual Business Meeting January 14.
What would be a Christmas party without our White Elephant gift exchange? Bob Booth was the first to select a gift and the fun started immediately as he would select a gift and immediately it was taken from him. Everyone had a great time and by the end of the evening everyone went home with something either they won or traded.
For myself and all others in attendance I would like to give a special thank you to Naydine Booth, for all her hard work in putting this party together and Eleanor Bronner for finding the Lakeside Café .
From all of the Board we want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Great 2010!
October 8th Meeting Report
We had a packed room at Delancey Street Restaurant last Thursday for our October meeting.
In our first presentation, member Jambi Kahahu, spoke about Bustani House in Nairobi, Kenya and safaris available in the countryside. info@bustanihouse.com or www.bustanihouse.com
The accommodations at Bustani House are home style with tours to outlying areas. The tours include not only to game preserves to see the wildlife but also points of interest in the area. Not everyone wants or can afford the private tented tours or the time it takes to go on such a trip. This is a good alternative for travelers who do not have much time and yet want a customized trip.
Our other speaker was Howie Perlin of Ya’alla Tours. He spoke about “Legal” travel to Cuba.
We have all heard stories about people traveling to Cuba and how the US government still has embargos with Cuba, that include tourism. Mr. Perlin explained that to legally travel there, one needs to either qualify by having family in Cuba or go by a tour that has been legally sanctioned by the US and Cuba. These tours are not frequent and there are few operators. These tours do not include the beaches and most importantly theses tours are not cheap. The information given was informative whether you were a travel agent or in some other capacity in the travel industry.
For anyone who was not able to attend and would like more information about either presentation please contact us and we would be happy to put you in touch with either representative.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our Christmas Party, Thursday, December 10 at the Lakeside Café in San Francisco.
September 20th Meeting Report from Pat Andrews
On The Road To Morocco
Dear Members,
For those of you who did not attend our Moroccan Diffa (Feast) on Sunday, September 20th, I must say you missed out on a fun afternoon.
The weather in Novato was perfect. We had sun and a cool breeze.
Our hosts, Naydine and Bob Booth have such a wonderful home and garden. It was an ideal setting for entertaining outside and we thank them opening their home to us for this event.
The food was superb. We had a complete range of favorite Moroccan favorites. The meal consisted of several Moroccan salads, Couscous, Skewered Grilled Chicken, Chicken Phyllo Rolls, spiced olives, honey mousse and even mint tea. If anyone is interested in obtaining the recipes of the food served please ask Christine Eichin. The recipes were made into a pamphlet for this event and there are a few left.
We would like to thank Dhyanis and Vera of “World Dance Fitness” of San Anselmo for their wonderful dancing and explanation of the Moroccan Belly dance. The belly dance is not a provocative dance but one of expression by the women.
All in all it was a fun afternoon. I know I came away from the afternoon with a much better understanding of Morocco and its places of interest, its culture and its food.
Let us not forget though that these special afternoons are supported by our members and we hope that all of you will be thinking of future events that we may hold. We also hope that everyone will make it their personal goal this year to bring in at least one new member into the San Francisco Travel Professional family.
Link to Recipe Booklet
Link to Morocco Quiz
February 12, 2009 – The Adventurous Side of South America
The meeting was held at Delancey Street Restaurant in San Francisco.
Excellent presentations by SFTP member Rea Franjetic, Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours; Jorge Rodriguez, Cruceros Australis; and Raul Buenaventura, Explora Lodges.
Overall theme: In & Around Patagonia
Rea, admitting she is very fond of Patagonia, having visited the area often, commented on how to work Patagonia into your South American trips.
Cruceros Australis cruises between Ushuaia, Argentina and Punta Arenas, Chile via the Horn and Magellan Strait. The route allows exploring the land "at the end of the earth" with its awe-inspiring scenery (penguins included). Since Cruceros Australis carries a maximum of 130 passengers, excursions will be in small groups.
Among Explora Lodges is Hotel Salto Chico Chile, in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park - again, spectacular scenery readily at hand starting from a luxurious base. In Torres del Paine, Hotel Salto Chico allows no more than 10 persons per guide.
An evening of practical and useful information. As with the best presentations, attendees left "ready to go"; or if they had been near the area, they were ready to go back.
Recommended:
Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours, www.cosmopolitanadventuretours.com
Cruceros Australis, www.australis.com
Explora Lodges, www.explora.com
December 2008-Christimas Cocktails and Canapes
Snacks and holiday cheer were enjoyed by all, with a highlight being the Kris Kringle Gift Exchange. There was a good-natured competition for the many beautiful gifts, including some that were handmade by participants. At the end of the evening everyone went home with something wonderful to remember the evening.
Hotel California, a Best Western branded hotel, is a lovely 82-room boutique hotel located just three blocks from Union Square. Originally built in 1913, the hotel has preserved many classic architectural details throughout the lobby and other common areas, with the guest rooms featuring American Maple hardwood floors, plantation shutters and ceiling fans. At the same time the hotel has many modern conveniences such as complimentary WiFi and computer stations, a business center, valet parking, concierge services, a fitness center, in-room safes, hairdryers, on-demand movies and more.
Voted “one of the ten best small hotels in the city that invented them” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, and dubbed “elegance in the theatre district” by Alaska Airlines magazine, the Hotel California is a local gem just waiting to be discovered.
Graham MacDonald Smith, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for Hotel California, and long time friend to SFTP, join us in the festivities.
For further information please contact him at and click here for more information.
Hotel California
Attn: Graham MacDonald Smith
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
580 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: 415-869-4113
Fax: 415-441-7172
Cell: 707-332-5753
Email: Graham@hotelca.com
Website: www.Hotelca.com
September 13, 2008-Argentine Barbeque and Tango (Click here to see recipes and slide show)
Members and guests were treated to a typical Argentinean BBQ complete with tango dancers.
Board members prepared Argentine side dishes and Alfredo, Rea’s husband barbequed delicious sausages and prepared “chimichurri “to accompany the dishes. Rea made the most perfect empanadas as an appetizer to start the afternoon. Of course, “Argentinean beverages” (from the “other” wine country) were served throughout the day.
Six NEW members joined that day. Their names along with those members who had sponsored them were entered into the membership drive raffle of a two night getaway in Napa at the luxurious Silverado Resort with golf, dinner at a premier Napa restaurant and a special gift from a Napa Valley winery.
The membership drive began last year and all new members and their sponsor’s names were included in the drawing. Several winners received door prices of Evan Goldstein’s Food and Wine Pairing books and Jerry Garcia ties. The grand prize winner of the drawing was Marty Sarbey de Souto, chair of the travel program at Berkeley City College, well-deserved winner who has been teaching and promoting a career in travel for those interested for many years.
The afternoon was topped off by tango dancers, Debbie Goodwin and John Campbell who not only performed the tango but enlightened us with the history of tango in Argentina. Check out their web site at www.AlmaDelTango.com and if you are in the Marin area, check out the classes they offer.
Thanks to all the members and Board who made the afternoon possible. Very special thanks to Rea and Alfredo for sharing their beautiful home and our members who so graciously donated the prizes. Please remember Silverado Resort when looking for venues and corporate events for your clients.
July 31, 2008—All About Africa
On July 31 we co-hosted a very well attended event with NorCal APTA – a two hour workshop on "How to Sell Africa" moderated by Christine Eichin of Above and Beyond Africa. Christine is a member of both organizations, and has traveled 20+ times to the Dark Continent.
During her presentation she featured what is unique about Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, The Seychelles and Madagascar. We learned the advantages and disadvantages of wing safaris vs. driving safaris, custom itineraries vs. set group departures, game viewing in national parks vs. reserves, open vs. closed vehicles, the best gorilla tracking and why, climate and the best time for each destination, combining destinations and much more. Educational materials were provided.
This highly acclaimed event was held at Sinbad’s, one of our two regular venues.For further information visit www.YourSafariExpert.com or contact Christine Eichin at ask@YourSafariExpert.com.
June, 2008—Seabourn Cruises
The June 12, 2008 SFTP meeting was held at Sinbad's in San Francisco and featured a presentation by Yachts of Seabourn. Sherrill Kaplan, Regional Sales Manager, shared with us some of the reason why Seabourn has been voted "World's Best Cruise Line" by readers of Departures Magazine and "World's Best Cruise Line (small ship category)" by Travel + Leisure Magazine.The Yachts of Seabourn are an ultra luxury vacation at sea for discerning travelers, with three ships presently holding 208 guests and three new ships are on the way holding 450 guests. Your clients' vacaction experience with Seabourn is an all suite experience and is all inclusive of tips, beverages, alcohol, one complimentary shore experience per voyage, open bar, and complimentary massage moments by the pool.
Seabourn is most noted for their extraordinary service, crew to passenger ratio, 250 ports of call on six continents, and their ability to travel where the big ships dare not roam.
Your clients will love the amazing culinary designs by world reknowned Chef Charlie Palmer. They will also be fascinated by their enrichment series of classes, speakers and shopping with the Chef. Anyone who loves good food and fabulous wine will love Seabourn.Your vacationers will also love the private arrangements their Concierge desk can prearrange on shore as well.
As Sherrill mentioned ,"If you have a wish, we try to make it happen".For further information visit www.seabourn.com, or contact Sherrill Kaplan at skaplan@seabourn.com
April 2008—Cruise North Expeditions
As privileged guests of the Inuit, passengers visit remote, traditional villages and explore exotic lands where muskox and caribou range against a backdrop of soaring cliffs, mountains and fiords. Expert guides and naturalist explain the natural wonders as passengers zodiac amongst icebergs, polar bears, walrus and whales.
The company offers a true Canadian Arctic experience on an expedition ship during the summer months of June to September. Tours include remote Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Passage and other itineraries sharing the most comprehensive cultural, scenic and wildlife experiences the region has to offer. Cruise North and First Air, their sister company providing all Arctic flights, are subsidiaries of Inuit-owned Makivik Corporation, a highly successful investment corporation born of the first modern-day aboriginal land claim agreement in Canada (c. 1975).
In addition to it’s commitment to the Inuit peoples, Cruise North is a supporter of the environment and works with other corporate interests to repair the damage to this environment left by former corporate interests in the area. They also are partners with the organizers of the Toronto Marathon, a race held in conjunction with their July 20 Arctic Odyssey Cruise.With activities available for all levels, the all-inclusive cruises are priced with roundtrip air from Montreal, Canada. Reservations can be made by calling 1-866-263-3220.If you missed this very informative meeting, check out their website at www.cruisenorthexpeditions.com.
An introduction to Cruise North should not be missed!
February 2008—Libraries for Peace
SFTP welcomed Aref Ahmadia of the Libraries for Peace Project on February 21, 2008 at Sinbad’s Restaurant in San Francisco.
The Libraries for Peace Project is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 and dedicated to building Public Libraries in Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries to help the peace process. Their goal is to provide reference and enriching educational material in the classrooms of public and private schools K-12. The educational material will include dictionaries, encyclopedias, books and computers. Teacher training will also be provided to achieve maximum utilization and effect. The libraries will be open to the general public to use for research, study and vocational training.
During his presentation Aref spoke about the mission of the Project, life in Lebanon, and what a foreign visitor might expect to experience during a visit to modern-day Lebanon. He also relayed how education provided him and other members of his family opportunities which would have otherwise been out of reach.
“Every Library is a center for international understanding. By its very existence, free from propaganda and prejudice and with no axe of its own to grind, the public library serves peace as well as democracy. With education comes greater understanding, justice and peace.”
To see photos from recent visits to Lebanon and Syria please visit www.flickr.com/photos/fogline. For further information regarding the Libraries for Peace Project, or do donate online, please visit www.lfpp.org. The LFPP will also pick up book donations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Just send Aref an email at aref@ahmadia.net to schedule a pickup.
December 2007—Casa de las Madres
Robin Morales writes
"SFTP members celebrated the holidays together on Saturday, December 8th at the beautiful Fog Harbor Fish House at Pier 39. We not only delighted in each other's company, a great meal and a fun gift exchange but in customary fashion, we received an update about our charity from guest of honor, Katherine Berg,
of La Case de Las Madres."
"As is posted on our website, SFTP supports this worthy organization which
provides shelter and assistance to battered women and their children. La
Casa not only offers a safe house for them, but therapy, guidance
and training to lift these women and children up and out of their
abusive environments; to move them forward into jobs and self sufficiency. We
applaud the efforts and achievements of Katherine and her organization
and every year SFTP donates monetarily and with supplies for the shelter
itself."
"Liz Koopen, my long time friend and interior designer, has taken the
cause to a new level; Liz has made a personal effort of her time and skill
to furnish and redecorate La Casa's dismal rooms with shabby steel-frame
beds (and nothing else) into cheerful and comfortable living accommodations
for these beleaguered women and children. It doesn't take much, Liz
says, but efficient shopping at stores like Ross and Marshalls, buying
fabric to sew curtains, asking of friends and colleagues for basic household
goods, like rugs and lamps, wall hangings and such to spruce up these rooms.
Liz takes the donated funds and buys linens and bedding for twin beds
and fabric for under $150 per room."
"We've attached some photos to show the tangible results
of "From
Here to There" at the La Casa shelter and how our contributions make
the world a little nicer, prettier place for some of these poor women and
their children. With thanks to our Benevolent members
and SFTP, let's continue to celebrate our friendship and our support
of La Casa de Las Madres!" www.lacasadelasmadres.org
6/20/10