There have been some big changes at Slow Travel Tours, the travel company that the message board moderators run "on the side."

You remember, in 2005 we launched a great selection of packaged tours. Everything from a fast tour of Europe, to the ulitmate slow tour of Poggibonsi, to an obsessive/compulsive tour of Switzerland, to the ultimate tour of the Uffizi. Read more about our Tours.

Our tours were such a success (yes, everyone wants to spend time with the SlowTrav moderators - even if they have to pay), that in 2006 we launched our selection of villas and vacation rentals.

We offer perfect apartments in Rome and Florence, a themed Cotswolds cottage, an amazingly well design Swiss Chalet, an Amsterdam Canal House, and places in the Italian countryside that are almost "American." Plus some lovely "extras". Read more about our Villas.

In 2007, we launched a new tour (can anyone forget ElderGeezr, The Modern Day Grand Tour) and a new division, Slow Travel Services to make your tours and vacation rentals even better, offering car rentals, pet vacations, child packages, trip planning and GTG planners.

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Now, in 2008, we're happy to announce the formation of Slow Air!! Yes, for the first time our moderators take to the air to slow you down. Our fleet of modern planes should get to your destination, in time, with varying classes of service to account for your personal needs (or at least those of the guy next to you paying more). For those of a more sensitive nature, explore our new PCS, Personal Containment System! We know what you want! Flying, the way you've always deserved to.

And there's more!!

Because our tours have been so popular, we've added two new ones, All Night Venice, so you can do what's really important to you in Venice, drink! And for our eco-friendly customers, Slow Hoe for those of you who have always dreamt of helping with the harvest.

Yet, we're still not through, our popular ElderGeezr tours, offered for the first time last year, now come with an extention, package - the The Dalmentian Extension, time to cram one more country into our already packed, Grand Tour!


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Please visit www.slowtravtours.com and see our new offerings. And book a trip with us for heaven's sake!!

We welcome your POSITIVE comments and feedback - anyone else can visit Fodors.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,

This is fantastic news. I can't wait to book on your "elder geezer" tour of Italy, are there any concessions for the over 90's?

I am concerned that Italy is changing - see the post on "straightening the leaning tower of Pisa". How can they do such a thing? At least I won't have to stand on an angle to see it.

Warning!

Do not use this tour Company!

I actually signed up for the ST tour in 2005. My email was never received so I just went ahead and sent my deposit (in Canadian dollars). There must be something wrong with this group!

I am still waiting for the reply!

I did, however, get notice of a traffic ticket related to the trip. What's up with that?

jan

As I understand it, some (most?) of the moderators fall into the "elder geezer" category themselves and sometimes forget to check their email on a regular basis. jgk, I'm sure if you're patient someone will respond eventually. Possibly by the time they respond you'll be elegible for the 'elder discont', making a great tour even better!

As for your deposit, they've probably used it to buy Alitalia in order to begin the new air service. How about that!? You helped buy an airline! Aren't you excited by the thought of flying in your very own plane!!!

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As for your deposit, they've probably used it to buy Alitalia in order to begin the new air service. How about that!? You helped buy an airline! Aren't you excited by the thought of flying in your very own plane!!!

Darn, we're busted! Barb, how did you know???

OTOH, as far as the age of the Mods, you're treading on very thin, sensitive ice there. You'd better watch it - any more cracks like that and you'll be on permanent moderation.

I come from a culture that respects elder geezers (this part of the msg is true). Can I join an ElderGeezr tour as a future eldergeezr? And what's Eldergeezr's merchandising like? I suggest: drop the boring t-shirts and think ST-logo'd pliers for us hip geezerines to remove our nipple rings in order to be TSA-compliant befeore we board a SlowAir flight.

P.S. might as well throw in an ST-logo'd nipple ring.

Thanks AiP for the reminder. We forgot to mention in the SlowAir pages that if you book Ultra Ultra Economy fare on SlowAir, pliers are included!

Did I mention that SlowAir will be repricing all transatlantic flights starting TODAY in order to build on its 36 average bookings per year.

Check out SlowAir for more info.

I have to say I'm surprised to see any moderators on the board today. I heard a rumor that they were all in negotiations to take over Terminal 5 at Heathrow for the inaugural flights of Slow Air! (Nothing slows down travel like having no luggage!)

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Originally posted by Barb (and Art):
I heard a rumor that they were all in negotiations to take over Terminal 5 at Heathrow for the inaugural flights of Slow Air! (Nothing slows down travel like having no luggage!)

Let me supply the behind-the-scene juice.
My best source told me that the Europarliament first appointed American Michael Brown to head Heathrow T5.
But Brownie was snatched by Sarko to head the SNCF website. Sarko said: "de la FEMA à la SNCF, c'est logique."
I was told this by my girlfriend Cécilia, who has ears - not to mention other anatomical parts - in high places.
Btw, my girlfriend just signed with Fantom House to write an autobio, "Celui avec qui je n'ai pas couché".

Is it true that the Geezer contingent among the moderators double as stewardess (or is that stewardi) on SlowAir? I am in awe of this site and it's innovations. I heard a rumor that SlowAir will be using the Ford Trimotors or possibly the Fokkers. Using Alitalia as a partner is pure genius. Heathrow for no extra cost. What a deal!

Foot Notes

We heard through the grapevine that Slow Trav had hired an international law firm to represent American, Canadian and Australian citizens at international scofflaws trials held at the Giudice di Pace (Justice of the Peace) courts in Italy.

A tour was in the planning stages with stops in Florence, Bologna and Pisa. The requirement to join the NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE TOUR was to be a copy of your ZTL traffic and/or parking violation stub.

We don’t see this tour listed and are wondering if perhaps you have delayed your plans until Pesce d’aprile of 2009.

Ah, the Eldergeezer tour - do I understand that it comes with its own moving escalator, for ease in touring the Cinque Terre and the towns of the Amalfi Coast? If this is true, we will be sending a check from our Cayman Island account ASAP - please advise.

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international law firm

Yes, that would be the firm my sister works for in Florence. There have been some delays in finalizing plans. One attorney is currently visiting his sick brother in Milan; another had an emergency appointment this morning with her hairdresser- if a manicure/pedicure is necessary she will out until tomorrow; another avvocato is busy defending an international arms dealer; yet another is still calling his children to ask why they did not visit on Easter; the last is in her office sobbing at the current state of her 18 year long relationship, as her boyfriend still has not proposed. The office manager is busy playing mah-jong on her computer and can't be bothered to respond to our phonecalls, emails and/or faxes.

We'll keep you posted.

Yet again we see that the good ol' USA is unrepresented!

To whom would I submit my vacation rental property in Southeast Missouri for listing?

A view of the interior.

Deborah, we never care for such fancy stuff! Show us the toilet, or WC, whatever it's called in that neck of the woods. Or both!

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Show us the toilet, or WC, whatever it's called in that neck of the woods.

Outhouse?

OK, Ok. A picture of the Outhouse! Notice the aircontitioning?

I understand the planes have washable rubber seats in the front section for those who are incontinant and have had hip replacement. They really are a most thoughtful airline.

For those interested in something a little slower, check out this opportunity of a lifetime (or several). The five month one-way trip is really what I call Slow Travel .

Deborah,

Is this where the St. Louis '09 GTG will be taking place? I would like a room with a view (not the outhouse) .

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Originally posted by kendall:
I understand the planes have washable rubber seats in the front section for those who are incontinant and have had hip replacement. They really are a most thoughtful airline.

No, no, the sad truth is that these planes provide the washable rubber only if you had both incontinence and had a hip replacement (or more).

For only hip replacement survivors like me, even if incontinence is expected shortly but not present yet, the planes only offer an outhouse...