THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR VISITING TRAVELTRUTH.COM

YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE GATEWAY TO OUR CHURCHILL & TUREN LTD. AD-FREE – HYPE – FREE
CONSUMER TRAVEL UNIVERSE
OUR AWARD-WINNING WEB SITES WITH THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF PROFESSIONALLY WRITTEN TRAVEL CONTENT
IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEMBERS OF OUR ELITE
TRAVELER CONCIERGE CLUB

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINING OUR CLIENTS IN 46 STATES AND 7 COUNTRIES
AND RECEIVING WORLDWIDE VACATION PLANNING DESIGNED FOR INTELLIGENT CONSUMERS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 630-717-7777

THE FEE IS JOIN OUR ELITE TRAVERLER CONCIERGE CLUB IS $500 PER FAMILY ANNUALLY
HERE ARE JUST A FEW FACTS ABOUT CHURCHILL AND TUREN LTD. THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

No one on our staff is a “salesperson”. We have earned our worldwide reputation by always trying to be “Travel Truthtellers”. We don’t churn out trips to Vegas or airline tickets. Instead, we devote 100% of our energies to the planning of the vacations in the lives of our guests that truly matter.
Our on-site offices in 91 countries enable us to provide the very best locally organized travel arrangements for some of our country’s most passionate travelers. Everything we do, from escorted tours to cruises, from safaris, to riverboats, is done on a truly personalized basis.
- We’ve been named one of the nation’s Top Ten “Bespoke” Travel firms by Travel + Leisure
- Celebrating our 36th year. We have Operations offices in Illinois and Texas. Angela and Richard Turen are based at our Corporate Headquarters in Naples, Florida.
- We do not employ travel agents or any outside sales agents. We do not believe that travel should ever be “sold”. Our gimmick is exposing the truth about every top-tier travel product we represent. For instance, we rate the world’s top ten cruise lines, publish those rankings, and those are the only cruise lines we will represent.
- No one on our staff “sells” Our Concierge Team is fully salaried and we do not hire Travel Agents or Outside sales people. This allows us to draw from a deep pool of talent. When you work with us you work with a “Team” dedicated to the success of every aspect of your overseas vacation. No one on your team is commission-based.
- Our Managing Director was Vice President of one of the world’s largest and best-known cruise lines.
- Our President was instrumental in planning the travel for the television series “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.
- Our media group consists of six web sites, three of which are the largest consumer, ad-free sites in the nation in their special area. One of them deals exclusively with Riverboats. One with cruises and one is totally devoted to non-cruise Q&A. Our consumer sites have no ads, no booking mechanism, and no silly, unfounded comments.
- Conde Nast has named us both the World’s Best Luxury Cruise and Riverboat Specialists for the past decade. We are the only firm to share this honor. We have won more “World’s Best Travel Specialist Awards” from the Editors of Conde Nast Traveler than any other travel firm in the United States.
- One of our owners is currently the Senior Contributing Editor at the nation’s most respected travel industry publication.
- Prior to Covid, we had the distinct honor of being named the “Top Revenue Producing Consultants” in the $23 Billion worldwide Virtuoso Network. We have earned this recognition for four of the past five years
- We operate the Elite Traveler Concierge Club whose members receive benefits, our monthly Travel Intel Report, and the waiving of all travel planning fees.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US AT 630-717-7777
OR E-MAIL US: documents@traveltruth.com
TO CONTINUE ON TO THE LARGEST AD-FREE, SALES-FREE TRAVEL DATABASE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
PLEASE ENTER YOUR ELITE TRAVELER
PERSONAL PASSWORD
_______________________
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR VISITING TRAVELTRUTH.COM

YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE GATEWAY TO OUR CHURCHILL & TUREN LTD. AD-FREE – HYPE – FREE
CONSUMER TRAVEL UNIVERSE
OUR AWARD-WINNING WEB SITES WITH THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF PROFESSIONALLY WRITTEN TRAVEL CONTENT
IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEMBERS OF OUR ELITE
TRAVELER CONCIERGE CLUB

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINING OUR CLIENTS IN 46 STATES AND 7 COUNTRIES
AND RECEIVING WORLDWIDE VACATION PLANNING DESIGNED FOR INTELLIGENT CONSUMERS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 630-717-7777

THE FEE IS JOIN OUR ELITE TRAVERLER CONCIERGE CLUB IS $500 PER FAMILY ANNUALLY
HERE ARE JUST A FEW FACTS ABOUT CHURCHILL AND TUREN LTD. THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

No one on our staff is a “salesperson”. We have earned our worldwide reputation by always trying to be “Travel Truthtellers”. We don’t churn out trips to Vegas or airline tickets. Instead, we devote 100% of our energies to the planning of the vacations in the lives of our guests that truly matter.
Our on-site offices in 91 countries enable us to provide the very best locally organized travel arrangements for some of our country’s most passionate travelers. Everything we do, from escorted tours to cruises, from safaris, to riverboats, is done on a truly personalized basis.
- We’ve been named one of the nation’s Top Ten “Bespoke” Travel firms by Travel + Leisure
- Celebrating our 36th year. We have Operations offices in Illinois and Texas. Angela and Richard Turen are based at our Corporate Headquarters in Naples, Florida.
- We do not employ travel agents or any outside sales agents. We do not believe that travel should ever be “sold”. Our gimmick is exposing the truth about every top-tier travel product we represent. For instance, we rate the world’s top ten cruise lines, publish those rankings, and those are the only cruise lines we will represent.
- No one on our staff “sells” Our Concierge Team is fully salaried and we do not hire Travel Agents or Outside sales people. This allows us to draw from a deep pool of talent. When you work with us you work with a “Team” dedicated to the success of every aspect of your overseas vacation. No one on your team is commission-based.
- Our Managing Director was Vice President of one of the world’s largest and best-known cruise lines.
- Our President was instrumental in planning the travel for the television series “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.
- Our media group consists of six web sites, three of which are the largest consumer, ad-free sites in the nation in their special area. One of them deals exclusively with Riverboats. One with cruises and one is totally devoted to non-cruise Q&A. Our consumer sites have no ads, no booking mechanism, and no silly, unfounded comments.
- Conde Nast has named us both the World’s Best Luxury Cruise and Riverboat Specialists for the past decade. We are the only firm to share this honor. We have won more “World’s Best Travel Specialist Awards” from the Editors of Conde Nast Traveler than any other travel firm in the United States.
- One of our owners is currently the Senior Contributing Editor at the nation’s most respected travel industry publication.
- Prior to Covid, we had the distinct honor of being named the “Top Revenue Producing Consultants” in the $23 Billion worldwide Virtuoso Network. We have earned this recognition for four of the past five years
- We operate the Elite Traveler Concierge Club whose members receive benefits, our monthly Travel Intel Report, and the waiving of all travel planning fees.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US AT 630-717-7777
OR E-MAIL US: documents@traveltruth.com
TO CONTINUE ON TO THE LARGEST AD-FREE, SALES-FREE TRAVEL DATABASE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
PLEASE ENTER YOUR ELITE TRAVELER
PERSONAL PASSWORD
_______________________
- WE WANT TO CHOOSE THE BEST RIVERBOAT OPTION NEXT YEAR ON THE DANUBE. BUT HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH LINE HAS HANDLED THIS SUMMER’S FIASCO IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY?
A – That is an important and timely question so we have taken the time to offer a fairly comprehensive report on this challenging topic that few in the industry care to discuss:
Q – 9.3.26 – We are determined, along with my wife’s brother and his wife, to cruise the Danube next year. We will be contacting you if you have room for us. But given all the negative publicity about record-draught and inoperable itineraries this summer that often turned into bus tours, I have to wonder: some of these companies have beautiful ships; others seem to have better service than others. We were wondering if you could share with your readers any information or conclusions about which lines have handled this summer’s problems best in terms of customer service, outcomes, refunds, best alternatives, etc. If you have an opinion we would really value it – we’ll give up the best food on the rivers for the line that can provide advance notice of issues and express the highest levels of information and reaction to water depth events. 2026 Danube & Rhine Low‑Water Advisory: How Each River Cruise Line Is Responding
By Angela and Richard Turen – Named Nation’s Top European Riverboat Specialists by Condé Nast Traveler
630-717-7777 – www.riverboatratings.com
Unusually low water levels on the Danube and Rhine have created operational challenges for river cruise lines in 2026. Each company has taken a different approach to communication, itinerary protection, and guest options. The following guide outlines how the major luxury and premium river cruise brands are handling the situation and what booked guests can realistically expect.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways has been one of the most proactive and transparent operators this season. They openly acknowledge the low‑water conditions and communicate directly with guests when itineraries may need adjustment. Their ships are designed with shallow drafts, giving them more flexibility than most lines to continue operating even when water levels drop.
When conditions prevent normal sailing, AmaWaterways typically modifies the itinerary rather than cancels. This may include changes to embarkation points, revised port calls, or short motorcoach segments. They do not generally offer refunds in advance of travel based solely on projected water levels; refunds occur only if AmaWaterways cancels the sailing outright, which is rare.
Best for: Travelers who prefer the cruise to operate in some form, even if modified, and who value clear communication throughout.
Scenic
Scenic’s response has been highly operational but less communicative than some competitors. They have acknowledged low water on key stretches of the Danube and Rhine and rely heavily on ship swaps and port adjustments to keep itineraries running.
Guests can expect Scenic to maintain the cruise experience through logistical workarounds rather than early cancellations. Communication tends to occur closer to departure or once changes are confirmed.
Refunds are not typically offered in advance due to anticipated low water; Scenic focuses on delivering the itinerary with modifications.
Best for: Guests who prioritize staying on the river and trust Scenic’s behind‑the‑scenes operational capabilities.
Tauck
Tauck has taken the most guest‑forward and proactive stance in 2026. They have contacted guests before travel when water levels make the planned itinerary unlikely, offering clear choices that may include full refunds or alternative arrangements.
When operating under low‑water conditions, Tauck uses a combination of ship swaps, adjusted ports, and occasional hotel nights. Their communication is exceptionally transparent, and they do not push guests into land‑heavy substitutions if that is not what they booked.
Best for: Travelers who want early, honest communication and the option to cancel or rebook when conditions threaten the itinerary’s integrity.
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Riverside, with its boutique fleet, has limited ability to perform ship swaps or large‑scale rerouting. While they deliver an excellent onboard experience, their operational flexibility during low water is more constrained.
Riverside has not issued broad public advisories for 2026. Communication tends to be individualized and concierge‑style rather than large‑scale updates. When disruptions occur, guests should expect itinerary adjustments such as port changes or motorcoach segments.
Refunds or rebooking options are handled on a case‑by‑case basis rather than through formalized policies.
Best for: Guests who prioritize onboard luxury and personalized service, and who are comfortable with itinerary modifications if water levels require them.
Uniworld
Uniworld has posted water‑level advisories and updates on its website throughout the season. Their approach is moderately proactive, with public alerts but less advance outreach than Tauck or AmaWaterways.
When water levels disrupt sailing, Uniworld typically adjusts the itinerary using port changes, motorcoach segments, or occasional ship swaps. They do not generally offer pre‑departure refunds unless the company cancels the sailing.
Best for: Travelers who appreciate a blend of luxury and flexibility and are comfortable with itinerary adjustments when necessary.
Viking
Viking has been highly visible in 2026 due to several water‑related disruptions, including a grounding incident that prompted public updates. Their large fleet gives them significant operational flexibility, and they frequently use ship swaps to keep itineraries running.
Viking communicates publicly through website updates but is not known for early, individualized outreach unless a major change is confirmed. Their model is to operate the cruise—with modifications—whenever possible. Viking typically offers refunds only if it cancels the sailing.
Best for: Guests who want the cruise to operate in some form and appreciate Viking’s ability to reposition ships and maintain continuity.
What This Means for Travelers
Low water does not automatically mean a canceled cruise. Each line has its own philosophy:
- Tauck offers the strongest guest‑first flexibility, including early communication and refund options.
- AmaWaterways is the most operationally resilient, often able to sail when others cannot.
- Viking and Scenic excel at keeping itineraries running through ship swaps and logistical adjustments.
- Uniworld provides balanced communication and reliable modifications.
- Riverside offers exceptional onboard luxury but has limited contingency options due to its smaller fleet.
For travelers booked on 2026 Danube or Rhine itineraries, the key is understanding each brand’s approach so expectations align with reality. All lines are committed to delivering the best possible experience, but their strategies—and the flexibility they offer guests—vary significantly.
WE PROMISE – THERE WILL BE SMOOTHER DAYS AHEAD ON EUROPE’S BEAUTIFUL RIVERS
View our Industry Articles about Riverboats and Water Levels on www.riverboatratings.com
- IS THERE A QUICK IDEA YOU CAN GIVE US OF THE COST TO SHIP LUGGAGE DIRECTLY TO OUR HOTEL?
Q – We have a tour coming up with Collette that will begin in Zurich. We live in Spokane, so we’ll need to change planes a couple of times, and we are seriously considering shipping our luggage to make sure we have everything we need for the start of the tour. Is this something you recommend, and is there one company that is better at this, more trustworthy than others? We just received a set of three pieces of nice-looking luggage from Amazon for the trip for $190 total. How much would it cost to send the two large suitcases to Zurich? I certainly hope it would be less than the cost to buy the luggage. If I were a client what would you advise?A – Part of it would have to do with how many nights you will spend in your arrival hotel in Zurich. If your luggage is lost, you need to be in a hotel where you can be easily reached. That is why you should always have a prominent identity tag on your luggage showing where you will be staying initially with the specific dates.
You should talk with your travel adviser to see how much connecting time you have outbound. That said, shipping two suit cases will some in close to double the price you paid for the entire luggage set. There are several reliable companies that are in the business – we prefer a company called “Luggage-Free” (they’re not). An alternative might be to pay about $90 to purchase a set of three Apple Tags that will allow you, through the downloaded app, to always know exactly where your luggage is during transport. Our staff would never travel without this security.
Given frequent airline cancellations and delays, having a strategy to assure your luggage is in your hotel room sleeping with you on your arrival night overseas is increasingly important - WE JUST NOTICED SOMETHING ODD ON OUR RECENT PRINCESS CRUISE. WHAT ARE WE MISSING?
Q – 9.2.26 – We have just returned from our second cruise after a bit of a demographic nightmare on an NCL ship. Princess seemed more upscale, and we really enjoyed our time in the lower Caribbean. It helped that we were joined by good friends. We all noticed a kind of anomaly none of us could understand. As we walked by several cabins on our friend’s deck, we noticed that some of the doors had upside-down photos of pineapples pasted on them. We never mentioned this to anyone but thought we would ask if there is any meaning to this – is it a kind of club or a communication? Are they frequent guests or fruit lovers? Why would they do that?A – This is something you will usually see on mega mass market ships with several thousand fellow guests from all walks of like – and “demographics”. Upside down pineapples means that the occupants of the cabin self-identify as “swingers” and they are open to meeting others of the same persuasion. It is usually not such a big deal but they do want nearby fellow guests and, particularly crew serving them, to be aware of their desires to meet others who share their views. No, they are not “fruit lovers” at least not in the traditional sense.
- We are thinking about attending the Palio Horse Race in Siena, Italy in 2028. Any general information you can provide?
A – So good to hear from you online. Here is a report we have prepared I hope will address some of your initial questions:
Q – We have been to Italy three times, including two trips on your Signature vacations over the past nine years. We have been clients for more than two decades, as you know, and now we are seriously thinking about trying to get into the Palio horse race, an event we have heard you talk about, with one or two friends in the summer of 2028. Of course we will talk further about this, but for others interested, can you explain a little of the way the Palio really works without the usual online travel PR BS. Feel free to post your response on Traveltruth so our friends can see it. Keep it up – and please consider making this a new Signature trip. Faithfully…..The Insider’s Guide to Surviving (and Superbly Enjoying) the Palio di Siena
A dispatch not approved by the Italian Tourist Board
By Richard Bruce Turen
If you’re heading to Siena next July for the Palio—specifically, if you’re one of the blessed few staying in a private apartment overlooking the Piazza del Campo—congratulations. You’ve essentially secured the Tuscan equivalent of front‑row seats at the Super Bowl, except the teams are medieval neighborhoods, the mascots are actual horses, and the fans have been holding grudges since the 13th century.
What You’re Actually Attending
The Palio is not “a horse race.” It is a civic blood sport wrapped in silk flags, religious processions, and the kind of neighborhood loyalty that makes New Yorkers look like casual acquaintances. The contrade—17 historic districts—are not merely neighborhoods. They are micro‑nations with their own governments, museums, mascots, and emotional support priests.
You will hear locals say things like “I am of the Snail,” as if this is a normal sentence. It is not. But in Siena, it is everything.
Your Apartment: The Holy Grail of Real Estate
You will be perched above the Piazza like a benevolent monarch, watching 60,000 people sweat, scream, and pray below you. This is the Palio equivalent of having a private box at Wimbledon, except instead of strawberries and cream, you’ll be served the sound of 17 contrade chanting war songs.
Insiders know: The higher the balcony, the lower the risk of being accidentally baptized in Chianti by an enthusiastic fan.
Ten Insider Secrets (That Only the Truly Initiated Know)
- The race lasts 90 seconds. The drama lasts 900 years. Do not blink. Do not sip. Do not sneeze. The horses will be gone before you finish saying “Is that the Eagle contrada?”
- The horse is the real celebrity. Jockeys are replaceable; horses are practically canonized. If a horse sneezes, an entire contrada will hold a press conference.
- The tratta (horse selection) is more emotional than the race. Watching grown men cry because their contrada drew a “slow horse” is a uniquely Sienese experience. It’s like the NFL draft, except everyone is wearing medieval costumes and nobody pretends to be rational.
- Contrada rivalries are eternal. If you accidentally compliment the wrong contrada’s flag, you may be politely escorted out of a bakery. Or not politely.
- The parade is not a parade. It is a solemn medieval procession that lasts longer than most marriages. You will see armor, banners, drums, and at least one child who looks like he was born specifically to carry a flag.
- The mossa (starting line) is where sanity goes to die. Horses back up, jockeys yell, the starter waits for divine intervention. This can last 40 minutes. Or two hours. Or until the sun explodes.
- The dirt track is imported. Siena literally trucks in special dirt to lay over the Piazza. It’s the world’s most dramatic landscaping project.
- The winning contrada parties for a month. A month. Weddings are postponed. Work is optional. Wine is mandatory.
- The losing contrada mourns like a Victorian widow. Black clothing. Quiet dinners. Emotional devastation. It’s all very operatic.
- You will be adopted by a contrada whether you want to or not. Someone will decide you belong to their contrada. You will be given a scarf. You will be expected to wear it. Resistance is futile.
Neighborhoods You’ll Hear About (and Why They Matter)
- Torre (Tower): Known for intensity, pride, and the ability to glare at rivals from 300 meters away.
- Onda (Wave): The maritime contrada in a city nowhere near the sea.
- Selva (Forest): Their mascot is a rhinoceros. No one knows why.
- Drago (Dragon): Fierce, flamboyant, and excellent at flag‑throwing.
- Chiocciola (Snail): Slow and steady, except when they win, in which case they become the loudest people in Tuscany.
- Aquila (Eagle): Elegant, dramatic, and very aware of their own elegance.
Each contrada has its own museum, fountain, church, and collection of historical grudges. Visiting them is like touring 17 parallel universes.
Food: What You’ll Eat While Pretending You’re Not Sweating
Sienese cuisine is rustic, rich, and designed to be eaten while standing in a crowd of 50,000.
Expect:
- Pici cacio e pepe (Tuscan spaghetti that refuses to be twirled)
- Panforte (a medieval fruitcake that doubles as a weapon)
- Cinta Senese pork (the Beyoncé of pork)
- Ribollita (a soup that tastes better the more times it’s reheated)
- Chianti, Chianti, Chianti (hydration is a state of mind)
Insider tip: Never say “I prefer Brunello.” This is not Montalcino. They will know.
How to Behave Like a True Insider
- Pick a contrada early. Preferably one whose colors flatter your complexion.
- Do not cheer for multiple contrade. This is not the Olympics. You cannot be “happy for everyone.”
- Learn the chants. They are loud, repetitive, and vaguely threatening. Perfect.
- Pretend you understand the rules. No one fully understands the rules. Not even the officials.
- Act unfazed by chaos. Horses may crash into walls. Jockeys may fall off. The crowd may erupt. Smile serenely, sip your wine, and say, “Ah, tradition.”
Ten Fun Facts Only Palio Insiders Know
- The horses are blessed in church before the race. Yes, inside the church.
- The jockeys are hired mercenaries. Loyalty is… negotiable.
- The contradas have official enemies. It’s printed.
- The race can be won without a jockey. The horse alone counts.
- The track is so tight that horses often run sideways.
- The Palio banner is hand‑painted by a local artist each year.
- The prova (practice races) are attended like Broadway previews.
- The contrade have their own anthems, which they sing loudly and off‑key.
- The winning horse eats at the victory banquet. At the table.
- The entire city smells like adrenaline, leather, and Chianti for 48 hours.
Final Advice
You are not attending an event. You are entering a centuries‑old emotional vortex disguised as a horse race. Embrace the chaos. Wear the scarf. Drink the wine. Choose a contrada and defend it with the kind of irrational passion normally reserved for New York real estate.
And when the horses finally thunder past your balcony—90 seconds of pure medieval madness—you will understand why the Palio is not merely watched. It is survived.
If you want, I can also craft a version tailored for your travel clients, or a shorter, punchier version suitable for publication.
Your work is, again, exquisite. I want to keep it as it is, but can you add the same humorous style descriptions of each contrada and why one should root for it instead of the others? It could be a great list.
Absolutely—here comes the Contrada Field Guide, written in full New Yorker‑style satire, designed for the insider who already knows the Palio is less a horse race and more a centuries‑old neighborhood feud with equine accessories.
I’ll keep your original piece intact in spirit and simply add this glorious appendix: “Why You Should Root for Each Contrada (And Why You Probably Shouldn’t)” A lovingly sarcastic dossier on Siena’s 17 micro‑nations.
The Contrade of Siena: A Traveler’s Guide to Choosing Your Allegiance Poorly
Aquila — The Eagle
Root for Aquila if you enjoy elegance, soaring metaphors, and people who behave as though they were born in a Renaissance fresco. Their colors are gold, black, and blue, which conveniently match the emotional palette of someone who takes the Palio very seriously. Avoid Aquila if you dislike being told—subtly, politely, and repeatedly—that your contrada is “very nice, dear,” in the tone one uses for a child’s watercolor.
Bruco — The Caterpillar
Root for Bruco if you appreciate the underdog story: a humble caterpillar dreaming of becoming a butterfly, but settling for civic dominance instead. Their mascot is a worm with ambition. Avoid Bruco if you fear that someone will corner you at a bar and explain, at length, why the caterpillar is actually the most powerful symbol in medieval iconography.
Chiocciola — The Snail
Root for Chiocciola if you enjoy irony: the slowest animal representing a contrada in a 90‑second horse race. Their fans are loud, proud, and absolutely unbothered by the zoological contradiction. Avoid Chiocciola if you prefer modesty. Snail people are not modest. They are the loudest slow creatures on earth.
Civetta — The Owl
Root for Civetta if you enjoy nocturnal animals, intellectual vibes, and people who look like they’ve read every footnote in every Palio history book. Avoid Civetta if you dislike being judged silently from across the piazza by someone wearing feathers.
Drago — The Dragon
Root for Drago if you enjoy flamboyance, drama, and the kind of people who would absolutely have a dragon tattoo if medieval Siena had tattoo parlors. Avoid Drago if you prefer subtlety. There is nothing subtle about Drago. Their flag‑throwers perform like they’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil.
Giraffa — The Giraffe
Root for Giraffa if you enjoy tall things, long necks, and the general vibe of “We can see the race better than you.” Avoid Giraffa if you dislike being reminded that you are short, metaphorically or literally.
Istrice — The Porcupine
Root for Istrice if you enjoy prickly personalities, defensive strategies, and mascots that look like they could ruin your day. Avoid Istrice if you prefer hugs. Porcupines are not huggers.
Leocorno — The Unicorn
Root for Leocorno if you enjoy whimsy, fantasy, and the idea that Siena secretly invented the Lisa Frank aesthetic centuries before Lisa Frank. Avoid Leocorno if you dislike being asked whether you “believe in magic” by someone wearing a horn.
Lupa — The She‑Wolf
Root for Lupa if you enjoy ferocity, maternal symbolism, and people who will absolutely fight you over the last piece of panforte. Avoid Lupa if you prefer calm environments. Lupa is not calm. Lupa is a lifestyle.
Nicchio — The Seashell
Root for Nicchio if you enjoy maritime themes in a city nowhere near the sea. Their mascot is a shell, their identity is aquatic, and their commitment to the bit is admirable. Avoid Nicchio if you dislike cognitive dissonance.
Oca — The Goose
Root for Oca if you enjoy chaos, honking, and the knowledge that this contrada has historically won more Palios than anyone else. They are the Yankees of Siena. Avoid Oca if you dislike dominance, confidence, or geese.
Onda — The Wave
Root for Onda if you enjoy the sea, sailors, and maritime swagger. They are the contrada most likely to sing loudly, drink heartily, and tell you they could have been pirates. Avoid Onda if you dislike people who wear blue and white stripes unironically.
Pantera — The Panther
Root for Pantera if you enjoy sleek aesthetics, feline energy, and people who look like they could win a staring contest with a statue. Avoid Pantera if you dislike intensity. Panthers do not do “casual.”
Selva — The Forest
Root for Selva if you enjoy nature, greenery, and mascots that make absolutely no sense (their symbol is a rhinoceros—yes, really). Avoid Selva if you prefer logical consistency.
Tartuca — The Tortoise
Root for Tartuca if you enjoy slow‑and‑steady wisdom, philosophical vibes, and the idea that patience is a virtue even in a 90‑second race. Avoid Tartuca if you dislike being told that “victory comes to those who wait,” especially by someone who has been waiting since 1712.
Torre — The Tower
Root for Torre if you enjoy intensity, pride, and the kind of people who can glare at rivals from 300 meters away with sniper‑level precision. Avoid Torre if you dislike drama. Torre is drama.
Valdimontone — The Ram
Root for Valdimontone if you enjoy boldness, horns, and people who charge into situations with admirable recklessness. Avoid Valdimontone if you prefer diplomacy.
Richard’s Guide to Choosing Your Correct Contrada
- Pick the one whose scarf matches your outfit.
- Pick the one whose mascot you could theoretically adopt.
- Do not Pick the one that Richard recommended
- Pick the one whose anthem sounds least like a war cry.
- Or simply pick the one whose fans hand you a glass of wine first.
- DOES THIS GIFT FOR A VERY LOVING HUSBAND SOUND AS THOUGH IT MIGHT BE WORTH THE COST?

Q – 9.1.26- My husband and I are avid skiers, and we often use a condo in Park City, Utah for some wonderful vacations. But my husband’s 60th is coming soon and I want to take him to Japan, a destination he has always wanted to visit. I have heard there could be some really good skiing there. Is there a particular place we should be looking at? Your advice is truly appreciated.
A – You want to go to Niseko, Ja1pam which is considered to be one of the two or three top ski areas in the world. There is something they call the Niseko Express, a form of airstream resulting when the freezing cold of Siberia crosses the warm waters of the Sea of Japan. The result is a canopy of snow that can often gain more than a foot a day – it is known as “Japow”. You will want to stay at the Paerk Hyatt in Niseko Hanazono where the “better rates” start at bout $2400 USD per night. As soon as you book get the hotel Concierge to get you two of the 12-seats at remote Rakuichi Soba – a remote cabin featuring a nine-course lunch prepared by famed Soba master, Tatsuri Rai. Anthony Bourdain loved this spot – a fitting way, perhaps, to celebrate an important birthday.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR VISITING TRAVELTRUTH.COM

YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE GATEWAY TO OUR CHURCHILL & TUREN LTD. AD-FREE – HYPE – FREE
CONSUMER TRAVEL UNIVERSE
OUR AWARD-WINNING WEB SITES WITH THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF PROFESSIONALLY WRITTEN TRAVEL CONTENT
IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEMBERS OF OUR ELITE
TRAVELER CONCIERGE CLUB

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINING OUR CLIENTS IN 46 STATES AND 7 COUNTRIES
AND RECEIVING WORLDWIDE VACATION PLANNING DESIGNED FOR INTELLIGENT CONSUMERS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 630-717-7777

THE FEE IS JOIN OUR ELITE TRAVERLER CONCIERGE CLUB IS $500 PER FAMILY ANNUALLY
HERE ARE JUST A FEW FACTS ABOUT CHURCHILL AND TUREN LTD. THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

No one on our staff is a “salesperson”. We have earned our worldwide reputation by always trying to be “Travel Truthtellers”. We don’t churn out trips to Vegas or airline tickets. Instead, we devote 100% of our energies to the planning of the vacations in the lives of our guests that truly matter.
Our on-site offices in 91 countries enable us to provide the very best locally organized travel arrangements for some of our country’s most passionate travelers. Everything we do, from escorted tours to cruises, from safaris, to riverboats, is done on a truly personalized basis.
- We’ve been named one of the nation’s Top Ten “Bespoke” Travel firms by Travel + Leisure
- Celebrating our 36th year. We have Operations offices in Illinois and Texas. Angela and Richard Turen are based at our Corporate Headquarters in Naples, Florida.
- We do not employ travel agents or any outside sales agents. We do not believe that travel should ever be “sold”. Our gimmick is exposing the truth about every top-tier travel product we represent. For instance, we rate the world’s top ten cruise lines, publish those rankings, and those are the only cruise lines we will represent.
- No one on our staff “sells” Our Concierge Team is fully salaried and we do not hire Travel Agents or Outside sales people. This allows us to draw from a deep pool of talent. When you work with us you work with a “Team” dedicated to the success of every aspect of your overseas vacation. No one on your team is commission-based.
- Our Managing Director was Vice President of one of the world’s largest and best-known cruise lines.
- Our President was instrumental in planning the travel for the television series “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.
- Our media group consists of six web sites, three of which are the largest consumer, ad-free sites in the nation in their special area. One of them deals exclusively with Riverboats. One with cruises and one is totally devoted to non-cruise Q&A. Our consumer sites have no ads, no booking mechanism, and no silly, unfounded comments.
- Conde Nast has named us both the World’s Best Luxury Cruise and Riverboat Specialists for the past decade. We are the only firm to share this honor. We have won more “World’s Best Travel Specialist Awards” from the Editors of Conde Nast Traveler than any other travel firm in the United States.
- One of our owners is currently the Senior Contributing Editor at the nation’s most respected travel industry publication.
- Prior to Covid, we had the distinct honor of being named the “Top Revenue Producing Consultants” in the $23 Billion worldwide Virtuoso Network. We have earned this recognition for four of the past five years
- We operate the Elite Traveler Concierge Club whose members receive benefits, our monthly Travel Intel Report, and the waiving of all travel planning fees.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US AT 630-717-7777
OR E-MAIL US: documents@traveltruth.com
TO CONTINUE ON TO THE LARGEST AD-FREE, SALES-FREE TRAVEL DATABASE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
PLEASE ENTER YOUR ELITE TRAVELER
PERSONAL PASSWORD
_______________________
[theme-my-login action=login]


