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The New Year has arrived so suddenly we've hardly got going and February is about to end...
This year our mission to offer all women stimulating and affordable activities continues and we have a busy calendar ahead. With more than eleven creative, social and travel activities already launched and many, many more on the launch pad, 2010 is set to be an exciting and busy year.
Here's a snippet of what's for starters...
Enjoy!
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 CalçotadaAn annual event not to be missed
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The new Gastronomy section launches with a unique and fun communal meal, an annual mediterranean feast little known to tourists and an experience not to be missed.
The calçotada
What is a calçotada? This is a traditional meal consisting mainly of calçots. A calçot is a type of spring onion resembling a leek, it's sweet and delicious and it's carefully grown by a method of re-sprouting. They are left to sprout and then they are unearthed only to be half-covered in earth again to maintain a white, succulent stem. This method takes the better part of one year and the resulting delicacy is eaten traditionally between November and the end of March.
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The setting
The setting for this calçotada couldn't be more authentic, we'll be
going to a medieval hamlet consisting of four houses. The restaurant is
housed in a pairal house (a grand medieval house) with gothic remnants.
Its cellar and large dining rooms date from the XVIII century and they
are unique in the area. The main dining room is situated at the centre
of the cellar and a large wine press still dominates the space.
The meal
Endless supply of chargrilled calçots direct from the wood fire, lots of delicious romesco sauce, grilled lamb and longaniza (a white chorizo type
sausage) are served in a terracota pot over a bed of coals, next to
them, generous servings of black butifarra sausage, barbecued artichokes
and tender ganxet white beans are presented on large dishes and
everyone tucks in. For dessert, oranges, a lusty crema catalana
and lashings of cava.
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| You can join in with other women and spend a few days enjoying and advancing your creative self. You can choose from a variety of writing activities such as a five day break in the Spanish countryside taking part in our Creative Writing retreats, or engaging your sense of exploration by travelling with us to Barcelona or Istanbul and letting new sensory stimulation inspire your writing or you can join one day writing workshops in London, an option suitable for everyone, for those short on time as well as those that'd like to have a taste before joining one of our longer writing workshops at home or abroad. |
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 Toasting with cavaCelebrating writing achievements
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One of the cortijosThe typical Andalucian farmhouses used in Granada to run our retreats
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"Istanbul through the senses"– Coming soon. A fabulous writers' holiday exploring this inspiring city through the senses with author Jane Monson. Places are limited, to register your interest please, write to us.
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What previous participants say:
"Whether you are already a writer, or just beginning a
writing journey, the quietness, beauty and simplicity of the Cortijos
will inspire and nourish you. You will get expert advice
and a sympathetic ear to your writing challenges and aspirations, and
the chances are that you will spend time in the company of other women,
from different walks of life, sharing an appreciation of some of the
most precious things– good companionship, laughter, books, writing, and
beautiful places."
Ruth Thompson – Belfast (Writing retreat in Granada, Spain)
"Well I've been to one workshop and it was excellent,
well-organised, good quality, and the organizer kept us well-informed. There was a range of experience in our participants from
those who were just starting to explore writing to others who were
writing full-time. The author who taught the session - Kate North - had
plenty of excellent advice to pass on, so even for the more experienced
in the group there were many useful nuggets to take away. From start to finish I felt we were in very good hands." Katherine Rabeau – London ( London one day writing workshop)
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Now you can join WOT-local Barcelona community network to take part in social, leisure and creative activities. With a mix of low-cost and non-profit events, all women can explore the city and beyond in the company of like-minded women. Feel free to join whether you live in Barcelona or not so if you visit, you'll have instant access to the local group.
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Women On Tour's local community network in London reaches the 300 member mark! Following our low-cost and non-profit events policy means that more and more women are making connections, exploring new avenues and expanding their interests. Join WOT-local London whether you live in London or not, so next time you visit you can join any of the scheduled activities.
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Istanbul
‘City of the World’s Desire’
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We'd like to share with you our passion for Istanbul. You may be
planning to visit Istanbul, you might know what to look for but not how
to get there, you may be travelling alone and want to meet other women
to enjoy Istanbul in company, perhaps extending together your discovery
of Istanbul's offer on gastronomy or nightlife over the evening...
"Istanbul is hot. And we’re not talking about the weather. These days,
there are more happening restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs around
town than there are exquisite Ottoman mosques (and that’s a lot)." Lonely Planet
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What previous participants say:
"I had a great time with Women on Tour in
Istanbul. You did a great job of showing us both the historic
treasures of the city as well as the modern additions which combine to
make Istanbul irresistible. We were situated in the heart of it all,
and you led us through the city with ease and enthusiasm. I wish I could come again!
I definitely
suggest this trip to anyone who is considering it.
It was fabulous! ”
Christine Curran- Boston
"Five stars it is not enough to rate
this holiday (and that was the Istanbul on budget visit!) as it was the
best holiday I've had to date. Fantastic company, organization and
programme.
True experience of the life beyond the touristic attractions
and amazing eye opener. Highly recommended, an experience not to be
missed!!"
Katerina Joachim- London
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Mindfulness meditation
The art of living each moment fully as it happens – to reduce anxiety,
achieve inner peace, and enrich life.
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Becoming aware of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and
behaviours moment to moment, offers us choices to respond rather than
react to automatic patterns. It is like switching off the automatic
pilot and taking charge of the planning, the driving, and the
destination, awake and fully present and in charge of our lives.
This meditation technique championed by Jon Kabat-Zinn Professor of Medicine
Emeritus and author of numerous books on the subject, helps people cope with stress, anxiety,
pain and illness.
Our instructor Kay has practised and taught mindfulness
meditation and related disciplines in the UK and New Zealand for over
20 years. She is also trained in Breathworks, running courses for those
with pain and illness, entitled Mindfulness - Living well with Pain and
Illness and trained in MBCT Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for
Coping with Depression.
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What previous participants say:
"I loved our time together in the hills of Andalucia.
First
of all being met at the airport by you was such a positive start and
very reassuring, as sometimes on retreats we have to share cabs, trains
etc to get to our destination.
The accommodation was lovely and so
great to have one's own room. The views were magnificent and doing
mindfulness in that setting was perfect.
I loved the trip to Alhambra
and our lunch outing together, they added that extra bit of care and
attention. You certainly took care of us.
For me the experience was a
very positive one I would certainly join a Women on Tour activity
again, dancing, painting, walking, yoga, meditation... I'm open to the
new!
Teresa Saliba – London
"The Mindfulness Meditation retreat was perfect.
Before I
came I had been worried that 5 hours meditation a day would be
too
much for me. In the event, the time flew by. I was very happy to
learn a variety of meditation techniques and I was particularly taken by
the 'walking meditation'. I began to realise the difference the
practice could make to my life.
The place was beautiful. I loved the
way the farmhouses had been renovated so simply. The huge log burners
were delightful to look at and very efficient and I liked the use of
old
farm equipment and ancient utensils as decorations. My bed was
very
comfortable and the room was sweet - the offer of a room to myself
without having to ask and pay extra was a real bonus.
I would certainly use Women on Tour again. I think
it's a great idea and I would like to be kept in touch with your
programme. Turkey sounds good.
Thank you so much, you really gave me a
good holiday in a beautiful place, where I met interesting people and
learned meditation skills that will hopefully help me in my day to day
life at home."
Diana Porter – Bristol
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Making friends
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We ran the first Tapas Trail in Barcelona on January. We explored Barcelona and stopped at all sorts of places, traditional tabernas and swanky bars alike to sample tapas.
We even had time to do a spot of people watching sitting outdoors whilst sipping tasty Rioja; some managed to do some shopping and we even visited our favourite chocolatier where lovely manager Anna, an enthusiastic Irish woman, treated us to the most mouthwatering descriptions of flavours so we just had to try the winner of the Best Chocolate Cake
in the World competition...
we were left speechless
We are going back in May!
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What previous participants say:
"The conversation was great and meaningful, and the
itinerary left us having seen a lot and tried a lot of new foods. Also,
as a newcomer to BCN, the people in this group are eager to help you
learn and to welcome you to the city. A wonderful group of women- a
fabulous itinerary- and a great Saturday overall. I would not hesitate
to join another event!"
Cristy – USA
Explore Barcelona while enjoying the local food in the company of like-minded women.
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One of the three gorgeous cortijos
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We've had so many queries about renting the rural accommodation in Granada used to run our retreats and outdoors activities that we've decided to make the three cortijos available to you.
We are sharing them at a very affordable price to allow you to enjoy
them as often as you like, feel free to make this gorgeous rural setting
your countryside retreat in Spain.
Whenever we are not running an event at the farmhouses and subject to
availability you can rent accommodation only.
With plenty of room for up to 20 people and total flexibility on occupation, you don't need to organize a group to stay over so if you are booking solo that's fine too.
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We've made the Rural Accommodation section an all-genders welcome option so you can invite your male friends to go along with you: Please, note that this is the only exception to the women-only policy throughout our entire offer.
Price:
- High-season (July-August) £ 45 per person per night*
- Rest of the year £35 per person per night*
* Prices are based on 4 people plus
Please, write to us for other occupancy rates including group occupancy (10 people plus).
The farms have been renovated respecting their rural character and have all mod cons, they all have log-burning fireplaces. Clean linen and towels are included. There's a swimming pool that you can enjoy when the weather is hot. Please note that there isn't wi-fi/ telephone line.
These are some comments that we received from those taking part in the activities offered at the cortijos:
"The accommodation was lovely"
Teresa
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Detail of the vine canopy in September
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"The place was beautiful. I loved the way the
farmhouses
had been renovated so simply. The huge log burners were
delightful to
look at and very efficient and I liked the use of old farm
equipment
and ancient utensils as decorations. My bed was very
comfortable and
the room was sweet.The surrounding countryside with its red earth,
white stones and olive groves is a joy with the patchwork of fields
beneath and hills around and above.Would I come again? I think I can't
imagine a
lovelier place in the summer. I long to eat on the terraces
outside the
houses and bask by the pooI."
Diana
"The farm houses and the incredibly beautiful
landscape
are still in my mind, I was blown over by the immensity of the
vistas,
how wonderful to open the window in the morning and have such
gorgeous
nature at our doorstep. I still have some of the
rosemary that I collected
outside! And what a
sweet bedroom, I loved the ceiling beams
and wooden shutters."
Sofia
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visit our web to get full details and to keep up to date
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