Category Archives: Around-the-World

Active Travel, Adventure Travel, Around-the-World, Cultural Travel, Tour and Travel Companies, tour programs, Travel Sales-Discounts-Deals

EF Go Ahead Tours Unveils Biggest Sale of the Year with Black Friday Travel Deals Throughout November, Up to $1,200

  • All-month savings:Save up to $800 per person on departures through 2028, with bigger, limited-time offers throughout November
  • Black Friday Priority Access: Get early access to deals and save up to $800 per person, plus combinable offers, through November
  • New tours and experiences: Explore new itineraries from EF Go Ahead Tours’ first-ever Uzbekistan tour to live event departures like Spain’s solar eclipse or college football in Dublin
EF Go Ahead Tours is offering Fire & Ice in Iceland: Go all the way around the island on the Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road (from $6,169 USD*) from iceberg-filled glacier lagoons and lava caves to geothermal baths. A new two-night pre-tour extension offers more time to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik. Take advantage of Black Friday Sales © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – EF Go Ahead Tours, a leading tour operator offering guided travel experiences for individuals, families, and groups, today announced its 2026 Black Friday travel deals alongside new tours, including its first-ever Uzbekistan itinerary and a lineup of special event departures spanning college football, Oktoberfest, and a total solar eclipse. 

Throughout November, travelers can save up to $800 per person plus price lock on select tours and dates, with a series of themed deal drops culminating in Black Friday savings of up to $1,200 on tours worldwide and 25 percent off all tours on Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday. Travelers can get a head start—and enjoy the best selection of tours and departure dates—by signing up for Black Friday Priority Access by November 2 to unlock savings of up to $800 per person, plus combinable offers.

EF Go Ahead Tours’ Black Friday sale includes:

  • Black Friday Priority Access (through Nov. 2): Save up to $800 per person, plus combinable sign-up offers.
  • Black Friday Sale (all November): Save up to $800 per person, plus a price lock on select tours and dates.
  • Black Friday Solo Deal (Nov. 8-11): Save up to $1,100 on solo travel, including dedicated Solo Tours and extra savings on private rooms.
  • Black Friday BOGO Deal (Nov. 13-16): Book one tour and get the second tour 50% off.
  • Black Friday Deal (Nov. 20-23): Save up to $1,000 on select departures.
  • Black Friday (Nov. 27): Save up to $1,200 on tours around the world, with savings of up to $800 continuing Nov. 28–29.
  • Cyber Monday (Nov. 30) and Travel Tuesday (Dec. 1): Save up to 25% off all tours.

“Black Friday is when many of our travelers plan their next adventure, whether that means booking a trip for the year ahead, looking further into the future or finally saying yes to a journey they’ve been dreaming about,” said Lael Kassis, Vice President of Market Innovation & Development at EF Go Ahead Tours. “This year, we’re offering more reasons than ever to explore, from the growing appeal of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan to once-in-a-lifetime experiences like Oktoberfest and college football in Dublin. Whether it’s your first tour with us or your 80th, Black Friday is a great opportunity to find your next adventure.”

Alongside its Black Friday sale, EF Go Ahead Tours is giving travelers new ways to explore the world with new departures, including:

EF Go Ahead Tours’ First Uzbekistan and Silk Road Tour

Highlights of Uzbekistan: Tashkent, Samarkand & Bukharais EF Go Ahead Tours’ first-ever Uzbekistan tour: a 14-day small-group Silk Road journey for 12 to 22 travelers, starting at $5,999 USD*, with the first departure in October 2027. With visa-free entry available to U.S. travelers, Khiva named to National Geographic’s Best of the World 2026 list and Tashkent featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Places to Go in Asia 2026 list, Uzbekistan is emerging as an appealing alternative to traditional European destinations. According to Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee, the country welcomed 10.3 million visitors in 2026 so far, up 20% from 2025. Beginning in Istanbul, the itinerary follows the historic Silk Road through Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, with immersive experiences including artisan papermaking, a family-hosted cooking demonstration and a traditional folklore show. Travelers can also add a six-night Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan extension and an optional Tajikistan excursion to explore up to four Central Asian countries on one itinerary.

Live Event Tours: Total Solar Eclipse, College Football and Oktoberfest

Live event tourism, estimated to generate $2.9–$3 trillion in tourism impact, is shifting travel planning from destination-first to experience-first. EF Go Ahead Tours offers special departures built around once-in-a-lifetime live events, with trips now available for 2027 and 2028:

Watching the 2026 total solar eclipse from a beach in Spain. EF Go Ahead tours is offering Grand Tour of Spain: Total Solar Eclipse (July 25 to Aug. 7, 2027; from $4,669 USD*): Witness the total solar eclipse in Andalusia, while experiencing Spain’s vibrant culture, from the art and architecture of Barcelona and Seville to Madrid’s museums and the sun-drenched beaches of the Costa del Sol. © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com
  • Grand Tour of Spain: Total Solar Eclipse (July 25 to Aug. 7, 2027; from $4,669 USD*): Witness the total solar eclipse in Andalusia, while experiencing Spain’s vibrant culture, from the art and architecture of Barcelona and Seville to Madrid’s museums and the sun-drenched beaches of the Costa del Sol.
  • College Football in Ireland: Dublin to Belfast (Aug. 26 to Sept. 3, 2027; from $4,099 USD*): Watch the University of Pittsburgh play the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, then explore Ireland’s cliffs, cathedrals and cozy pubs, from Kilkenny to Belfast. 
  • Oktoberfest in Germany (2027 and 2028 departures; from $4,629 USD*): Experience the legendary Oktoberfest in Munich while exploring more of Europe, including on the new Oktoberfest: Switzerland, Germany & Italy itinerary. Travel from the Swiss Alps to Venice, taking in the twinkling waters of Lake Lucerne, raising a stein in Munich, and admiring the soaring cupolas of St. Mark’s Basilica.
  • New Year’s Eve in Europe or South America (2026, 2027, and 2028 departures; from $3,399 USD*): Ring in the new year in Paris, London, Florence, Rome, Madrid, or Lima on one of nine New Year’s Eve tours, with 2026 departures still open for this year’s holidays.

New 2027 Guided Tours from EF Go Ahead Tours

EF Go Ahead Tours’ new itineraries, including seasonal and themed tours, give travelers even more ways to make the experience itself the destination. Highlights include:

  • Fall Foliage in New England: Watch New England’s peaks and valleys come alive in crimson and gold on Fall Foliage Tour: Vermont to Massachusetts (from $4,249 USD*) or Canada & New England: Quebec, Vermont & Boston (from $4,999 USD*).
  • Train Tours in Europe and North America: Make the journey the experience with EF Go Ahead’s signature collection of train tours, recently expanded with seven new itineraries (from $3,849 USD*)—from gazing at Switzerland’s Alpine lakes aboard the Bernina Express to climbing toward Germany’s highest peak on the Zugspitze cogwheel train.
  • Halloween in Europe: Trace Halloween back to its ancient roots in the festival of Samhain on the new Traditions of Halloween: London, Edinburgh & Dublin (from $4,599 USD*). Enjoy a murder mystery dinner at London’s centuries-old Ashridge House, wind through Edinburgh’s shadowy closes and underground vaults, and end in Dublin with the Puca Festival’s Samhain Fire Ceremony.
  • Solo Safari in Kenya: Join a small group of solo travelers (6 to 12, each with a private room) on the Kenya Wildlife Safari for Solo Travelers (from $5,069 USD*), tracking the Big Five in Amboseli and the Maasai Mara, with a new 3-night Mount Kenya region post-extension.
  • Fire & Ice in Iceland: Go all the way around the island on the Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road (from $6,169 USD*) from iceberg-filled glacier lagoons and lava caves to geothermal baths. A new two-night pre-tour extension offers more time to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik.
  • Bulgaria, Serbia & Romania: Go beyond the usual European itinerary on the Bulgaria, Serbia & Romania itinerary (from $3,669 USD*), a journey through three countries rich in history, striking architecture and Balkan traditions—with a new two-night pre-tour extension in Sofia giving travelers more time to explore Bulgaria’s capital.
  • Highlights of Scotland & Ireland: Pair the medieval charm of Scotland and Ireland on the Highlights of Scotland & Ireland: Edinburgh to Dublin (from $3,629 USD*) with a new three-night London pre-tour extension. 

*Tour pricing is land only. EF Go Ahead pricing includes expert Tour Director guidance on each tour, handpicked accommodations, immersive sightseeing experiences, and select meals. Travelers can also book flights, airport transfers, and “cancel for any reason” insurance directly through EF Go Ahead Tours for a seamless travel experience for an additional cost. Select Black Friday deals apply.

To learn more about EF Go Ahead Tours’ Black Friday deals, visit https://www.goaheadtours.com/travel-deals/black-friday.

An EPIC way to explore the world. 

EF Go Ahead tours are designed for modern travelers balancing a global bucket list with busy schedules and a desire for meaningful exploration while truly immersing themselves in one of the more than two hundred guided trips across six continents we offer.

Each itinerary offers:

  • Dedicated Tour Director who handles travel logistics, fosters on-tour community, and brings each destination to life through cultural insight.
  • Guided sightseeing with guaranteed entrance to iconic, hard-to-book sites and landmarks that are difficult to access independently.
  • A range of activity levels for exploration that fits your travel style.
  • Fun, interactive experiences – from culinary tastings and wine pairings to Irish step dancing and hands-on cultural activities – that bring each destination to life.
  • 24/7 traveler care focused on traveler support, travel safety, and on-tour operational support
  • Interest-free monthly payment plans and low-down payments making travel in the Americas or overseas possible for all. 

EF Go Ahead Tours Best Price Guarantee

Have the confidence that the price of your tour is the best price. EF Go Ahead’s Best Price Guarantee is valid at the time of booking for new reservations and applies to the price of the tour including airfare and after the value of any promotional offer or discount is applied. Learn more about the Best Price Guarantee https://www.goaheadtours.com/about/terms.  

EF Go Ahead Tours Referral Program: Give $100, Get $100

The new referral program offers travelers an easy way to connect and invite friends, family members, and fellow adventurers to experience a guided group tour for themselves. 

How it works: Give $100. Get $100. 

  • Refer a friend: Any traveler who has taken a trip with or is currently booked on tour with EF Go Ahead Tours, EF Ultimate Break, or EF Adventures can now share a personal referral link via email, text, social media, or their respective EF World Journeys mobile app. Friends must be new to EF World Journeys, 18 or older, and have a valid email address to qualify.
  • Both travelers earn $100: When the referred traveler books, both receive $100 in travel credit. Rewards are issued 60 days after booking confirmation, and referrals must book within six months.
  • Earn $1,000 when you hit your fifth referral: Referring travelers earn $100 for each of their first four successful referrals, plus an additional $600 payout for their fifth referral—bringing their total earnings to $1,000. There is no limit to how many referrals can be made, and rewards never expire.

Learn more: https://www.goaheadtours.com/about/referrals. 

EF Go Ahead Tours is a guided group travel company that has offered expertly crafted itineraries around the world for more than 30 years. EF Go Ahead Tours offers 250+ guided tours across six continents. Each carefully planned, expertly-led tour makes it easy for curious travelers of all ages to get to the heart of a destination. With a maximum group size well below the industry average, each trip has the perfect balance of planned sightseeing and free time to explore.

EF Go Ahead Tours is a tour operator brand within EF World Journeys, one of North America’s leading guided, experiential travel companies.

Adventure Travel, Around-the-World, Asia/Pacific travel, Cultural Travel

Explore Worldwide Debuts 14 Tours Leading Travelers to Quieter Corners for New Adventures

Explore Worldwide announces new tours for 2027 that touch on the parts of destinations most itineraries skip (Photo courtesy of Explore Worldwide)

TORONTO, ON – Explore Worldwide, B Corp-certified small group adventure travel operator, announces its first round of new tours for 2027, ready to be booked now. The new departures touch on the parts of destinations most itineraries skip: the lesser-visited north of Sri Lanka rather than the southern beaches, the quiet back side of Mount Fuji rather than the standard Tokyo-Kyoto trip, the rainforests and volcanic highlands of Sumatra rather than Bali, and the white hill villages of Andalucia rather than the coast. 

With more than 400 tours across over 100 countries, Explore Worldwide’s 2027 itineraries reflect the company’s mission to create travel experiences that are rooted in hands-on cultural immersion, led by expert local guides, and enjoyed in small groups. 

“In the 45 years of developing guided experiences, we’ve learned that it’s not only about the destination itself, but the version of them that most don’t see,” says Katy Rockett, regional director of North America for Explore Worldwide. “Our seasoned product team, alongside our valued partners on the ground, have spent years finding the best routes to take and know the quieter pockets that are worth a look. They’ve spent time building relationships with locally-owned businesses, and know which trails are worth that extra trek. It’s that deep destination knowledge that sets these travel experiences apart.” 

A sample of Explore’s first wave of new tours for 2027 include: 

  • The eight-day Highlights of Sumatra tour trades Indonesia’s better-known islands for Northern Sumatra’s rainforests, volcanic highlands and the world’s largest volcanic lake. In Bukit Lawang, travelers trek through Gunung Leuser National Park in search of wild, critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, joined by a guided night walk in search of the park’s nocturnal wildlife. The trip continues with a sunrise climb to the steaming crater of Mount Sibayak before reaching Lake Toba, where a boat tour of Samosir Island introduces the traditions and architecture of the Batak people. Rates start from US $1,380 per person, with departures available from May through September 2027. 
  • The eight-day Essential Japan – Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto tour pairs Tokyo’s essential sights with the quieter, less-visited side of Mount Fuji. In the capital, travelers take part in a hands-on wagashi sweet-making experience, a traditional tea ceremony, and a lantern-painting workshop before boarding the bullet train to Shizuoka, Japan’s green tea heartland. There, they visit a gyokuro tea farm and take in views of Mount Fuji from Nihondaira Yume Terrace. In Kyoto, the trip includes a Zen meditation session led by a Buddhist monk and a guided hike along the Kurama-Kibune trail through the Kitayama Mountains. Rates start from US $3,730 per person, with departures available from February through November 2027. 
  • The 11-dayTaste of Northern Sri Lanka – Jaffna to Colombo tour is a culinary-focused itinerary through the island’s lesser-visited northern region and cultural heartland. The journey begins in Jaffna, with its ornate Hindu temples and a boat excursion to the remote island of Delft, before continuing to the laid-back coastal town of Trincomalee with a visit to a sunrise fishing market. Throughout, guests will sample regional specialties from Jaffna seafood broth and crab curry to Dutch Burgher-influenced lamprais. Rates start from US $2,460 per person, with departures available from March through October 2027.

 Among the new tour departures, Explore Worldwide continues to grow its Upgraded Tours portfolio for 2027, adding four new premium itineraries like the 10-day Upgraded – Highlights of Nepal and Upgraded – Morocco: Imperial Cities, Mountains and the Sahara Desert. 

Launched in 2024, the Upgraded collection pairs Explore’s signature hands-on cultural access and expert local leaders with a premium selection of hotels and boutique stays. Explore has seen a 35% increase in bookings for 2026 Upgraded departures. Rockett continues, “As the premium adventure market continues to grow, our Upgraded tours enable us to meet the evolving expectations of travelers while staying true to the authentic, immersive experiences that define Explore.” 

  • The 12-day Upgraded – Highlights of Mexico tour introduces travelers to Mexico’s colorful history, from its captivating capital to the sun-soaked Caribbean coast. The journey covers the cities of Oaxaca and Valladolid, with a food tour of Puebla and a hands-on Oaxacan cooking class, alongside Mayan sites including Coba, Chichen Itza, Monte Alban and Teotihuacan. The itinerary closes with two nights on Cozumel Island. Travelers stay in hand-picked Premium accommodations, including a historic hacienda near Chichen Itza and a beachfront resort on Cozumel. Rates start from US $6,130 per person, with departures available from March through November 2027. 
  • The 11-day Upgraded – Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise tour travels from Cairo to Luxor, including a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, home to more than 100,000 artifacts, which opened in November 2025. The journey includes stops in the historic coastal city of Alexandria, a Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, along with a calligraphy workshop and a cooking class. Rates start from US $5,120 per person, with departures available from April through November 2027.

 Additional new tours will be announced on a rolling basis.

Explore Worldwide has over 45 years’ experience in providing exciting and authentic small-group travel experiences from cultural discovery trips to hiking and cycling adventures. With over 400 trips in 100 countries, Explore’s expertly crafted itineraries combined with award-winning tour leaders, small group sizes and a commitment to responsible travel ensure unforgettable travel experiences. Explore has immersive, sustainable travel in its DNA, achieving B Corp Certification, and as a founding signatory of the Glasgow Declaration with one of the leading Climate Action Plans in the industry. In 2022, Explore Worldwide completed the largest carbon-measurement project in the industry, to date, and is now working toward reducing the carbon emissions of its tours by 50% by 2030.

For more information on Explore Worldwide’s breadth of tours and new itineraries, visit www.exploreworldwide.com.

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Around-the-World, Home Exchange, noctourism, special interest travel, star gazing trips

HomeExchange Membership Platform Enables Stays In Luxury Homes with Prime Viewing of 2026 Total Solar Eclipse

With Europe preparing for its first total solar eclipse in 27 years on August 12, demand for prime viewing destinations is starting to climb. Combined with the continued rise of noctourism, one of the top travel trends for this year, the celestial event is expected to cause a rush for accommodations along the eclipse path. 

To travel for the eclipse, HomeExchange Collection, an exclusive community for like-minded travelers to meet, share, and exchange their home, allows members gain access not only to exceptional residences, but also to invaluable local insight, like tips on the best viewing spots and sights to see during this extraordinary celestial event. Ideal for travelers who want to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event, an annual membership fee allows members to enjoy unlimited direct home exchanges or utilize GuestPoints to stay in another home without coordinating reciprocal travel dates. Additional benefits include dedicated member support, 100% flexible guest cancellation, and the comfort, privacy, and character of extraordinary residences in some of the world’s best locations to view this remarkable phenomenon.

The eclipse will brush across parts of Spain, Morocco, and Iceland. HomeExchange Collection presents a selection of luxury homes located directly on the eclipse path:

Meðalfellsvatn Lake, Iceland

Set on the shores of Iceland’s picturesque Meðalfellsvatn Lake, this elegant three bedroom home offers uninterrupted views of the water and surrounding mountains. Its open-concept living spaces and three comfortable bedrooms make it ideal for families or groups seeking a peaceful retreat. With minimal light pollution and dramatic natural surroundings, it provides an exceptional setting for experiencing the total solar eclipse, where maximum totality will last approximately two minutes and 18 seconds.

Ponça, Mallorca, Spain

In Mallorca, travelers will experience one and a half to two minutes of totality, and where better to watch this extraordinary event from a spacious five bedroom villa, located in the best corner of the Spanish island. This home sits proudly on a green lawn with orange and lemon trees, olives and palms, with multiple terraces on all sides of the property, perfect for watching one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year. Santa Ponça, as a residential and a holiday spot beloved by locals,  is minutes away from some of Mallorca’s best golf courses, yacht marinas, and beaches.

Tangier, Morocco

As Morocco’s premier eclipse-viewing destination, Tangier will be directly in the line of totality for approximately four minutes and 50 seconds. The home’s breathtaking terrace, which gazes directly over the sea, makes for an exceptional viewing experience. Ensuring that the magic lasts long beyond those incredible few minutes of totality, the property is a true artist’s home, with spectacular antiques and art displayed throughout all four bedrooms and common spaces. Additionally, the property’s location in Tangiers’ chicest neighborhood, Marshan, makes it perfect for exploring the best of the city’s hillside medina, bustling souks, and international artistic history.

Cadiz, Spain

Located in Cadiz, Southern Spain’s prime eclipse-viewing base, this three bedroom home sits within the path of totality for nearly three minutes. Overlooking La Caleta beach, it pairs immaculate beach views with sleek, contemporary interiors. The result is a stylish coastal base from which to experience this highly anticipated event and explore Cadiz’s captivating architecture, climate and culture.

Home Exchange is a membership organization where you swap your home and travel the world differently. Stay in real homes across 155 countries – 550,000 are listed –  and be part of a global community built on trust.

Create your account and become a member: Add your home and tell us more about yourself. Become a member for $235 and search for your first exchange.

Find an exchange that fits you: Swap homes directly with another member, or use GuestPoints to travel without matching your plans with anyone else.

Travel with confidence: Home Exchange guarantees protect your home and your finalized exchanges, so you can relax, explore and feel at home wherever you go.

More information at HomeExchange.com

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Active Travel, Adventure Travel, Around-the-World, Global Scavenger Hunt, international travel, Uncategorized

Are You Game for An Around-the-World Blind Date With Adventure: Join the 2023 Global Scavenger Hunt

Team Lazy Monday, Eric & Kathryn Verwillow of California, who would go on to win second place in the 2019 Global Scavenger Hunt, dash out of Petra, Jordan on to their next challenge © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

LOS ANGELES –What are your 2023 travel resolutions:Swimming with baby elephants? Learning to cook from a Michelin-starred chef? Taking part in an archaeological dig? Lending a helping hand at a Tibetan refugee camp? Attending a gala opening of an international cultural event? Perhaps it is just taking a revenge makeup trip? No matter what it is, the best travel-related New Year’s resolution is simple: Go!The 2023 edition of The Global Scavenger Hunt can scratch your travel itch and help you fulfill your wildest travel resolutions in one grand adventure. It is a mystery travel adventure that combines Indiana Jones daring with an Around the World in Eighty Days-like travel competition.
And the event turns creative travel in 2023, taking savvy travelers on A Blind Date with the World adventure to ten countries over three weeks. But which ten countries they will be going to—they are not telling! Call it: Destinations Unknown. And adding to the mystery adventure is the immersive focus of travelers having to trust strangers in strange lands—just another of the annual adventure’s transformational features.

Known internationally as the world travel championship, the 2023 edition of The Global Scavenger Hunt will take place between the 14th of April and 6th of May 2023.  

The deadline to enter the 2023 edition of the travel world championship is February 1st, with only a few spots open for those wanting to compete for “The World’s Greatest Travelers” title and trophy—and a chance to earn a free trip around the world with their triumph. But, of course, serious travelers are a competitive breed, from: “How many countries have you been to?” and “We’ve been there, did you do…?” to watching travel shows saying, “I could do that!” Well, now they can with a trip, trophy, and title on the line.
   
“Sometimes travelers take trips, but our grand adventure takes travelers to mysterious unknown destinations,” says William D. Chalmers, the Event Director. “Our secret places serve as a fun playing field on which the event plays itself out. Being a passive participant is not an option when you don’t know where you are going on this authentic, challenging, and participatory international travel adventure. Simply transformative. It is life-changing for our travelers.”

And the winners earn a free trip around-the-world with The World’s Greatest Travelers title and crown after proving their mettle, testing their situational awareness, and challenging their Travel IQs. Traditionally, travel writers and bloggers, social media influencers and travel agents, along with some of the world’s “most traveled people” and Amazing Race wannabe’s, join the competition. But often, well-traveled curious people are the winners. This event is truly “the Amazing Race for real travelers.”

The 23-day around-the-world event is limited to 15 teams of two. The US$28,000 team entry fee includes: all international airfares, first-class hotels, 40% of meals, and special event-sponsored travel gear. Single travelers are welcome to apply, and all travelers will be interviewed for suitability. Contact GreatEscape Adventures at +1.310.281.7809 or apply online at GlobalScavengerHunt.com. (CST#2071053-40).   

See our coverage of the 2019 Global Scavenger Hunt:

Capilano Suspension Bridge Among Vancouver BC’s Marvelous Attractions, First Leg of Global Scavenger Hunt

Capilano Suspension Bridge Among Vancouver BC’s Marvelous Attractions, First Leg of Global Scavenger Hunt

Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 2: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Traditions Survive in Modern City, as Does Reckoning with Past

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT, LEG 2: HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM: TRADITIONS SURVIVE IN MODERN CITY, AS DOES RECKONING WITH PAST

Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 3: Myanmar, the Golden Land, Comes from Darkness into Light

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT, LEG 3: MYANMAR, THE GOLDEN LAND, COMES FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 3 in Myanmar Continues: Bagan, City of Temples, Newly Named UNESCO World Heritage Site

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT, LEG 3 IN MYANMAR CONTINUES: BAGAN, CITY OF TEMPLES, NEWLY NAMED UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 3 Continues: The Enchantment of Inle Lake, Myanmar

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT, LEG 3 CONTINUES: THE ENCHANTMENT OF INLE LAKE, MYANMAR

Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 3: Back in Yangon, Myanmar

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT, LEG 3: BACK IN YANGON, MYANMAR

Global Scavenger Hunt 8-Hour Layover Challenge in Bangkok, Thailand

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT 8-HOUR LAYOVER CHALLENGE IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 5: Discovering Abu Dhabi

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT, LEG 5: DISCOVERING ABU DHABI

Ancient City of Petra is a Highlight of Global Scavenger Hunt in Jordan

ANCIENT CITY OF PETRA IS A HIGHLIGHT OF GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT IN JORDAN

Global Scavenger Hunt: In the Scramble to be Crowned ‘World’s Best Travelers’

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT: IN THE SCRAMBLE TO BE CROWNED ‘WORLD’S BEST TRAVELERS’

Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 7: 30 Hours in Athens

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT, LEG 7: 30 HOURS IN ATHENS

Unraveling Marrakesh’s Old City Maze Before Tackling the Global Scavenger Hunt 4-Country Challenge

UNRAVELING MARRAKESH’S OLD CITY MAZE BEFORE TACKLING THE GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT 4-COUNTRY CHALLENGE

Global Scavenger Hunt: Entranced by the Mystique of Fez, Morocco

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT: ENTRANCED BY THE MYSTIQUE OF FEZ, MOROCCO

Global Scavenger Hunt: A Dash through Gibraltar Reveals a Modern-Day Brigadoon

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT: A DASH THROUGH GIBRALTAR REVEALS A MODERN-DAY BRIGADOON

Global Scavenger Hunt: Seville to Porto to Complete Toughest Leg of 23-Day Around-the-World Mystery Tour

GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT: SEVILLE TO PORTO TO COMPLETE TOUGHEST LEG OF 23-DAY AROUND-THE-WORLD MYSTERY TOUR

Feeling Like a Foreigner in my Hometown: Global Scavenger Hunt Ends in New York City

FEELING LIKE A FOREIGNER IN MY HOMETOWN: GLOBAL SCAVENGER HUNT ENDS IN NEW YORK CITY

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Adventure Travel, Around-the-World, Global Scavenger Hunt, Mystery travel, Uncategorized

Global Scavenger Hunt to Decide World Travel Championship Set for 2022 – Think You’re the World’s Best Traveler?

Team Lazy Monday, Eric & Kathryn Verwillow of California, who would go on to win second place in the 2019 Global Scavenger Hunt, dash out of Petra, Jordan on to their next challenge © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The 2022 edition of The Global Scavenger Hunt™ is the 16th annual “world travel championship”—an around-the-world travel adventure competition that takes Teams of two on A Blind Date with The World™ that eventually crowns The World’s Greatest Travelers™.

Held every spring, with our 2022 event to take place over three-weeks starting on April 22nd through May 14th, 2022. Fifteen international Teams will travel from Vancouver, Canada to New York City—the long way around!

Event participation is open but limited to 15 teams of two from around the world.  Previous events have drawn savvy globe tottering travelers from: USA, Canada, China, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, England, Poland, Germany, Dubai & Barbados. With travelers having previously applied from over 60 nations.

The World’s Greatest Travelers™ trophy, along with an accompanying free trip around the world to defend their titles in the next event are at stake in this winner-take-all event.

The whole world is our game board. It’s a circumnavigation of the globe touching down in at least 10 countries, that may include in 2022: Peru, Colombia, Indonesia, Laos, Oman, Tanzania, Russia, Morocco and Italy. (Note: These are only potential countries as The Global Scavenger Hunt™ is indeed A Blind Date with The World™ for all its participants—they do not know which country they will be visiting next until they are given a 4-hour notice. So far, the event has visited 85 countries.

For additional information visit GlobalScavengerHunt.com or call GreatEscape Adventures (CST#2071053-40) at +1.310.281.7809.

See Global Scavenger Hunt: In the Scramble to be Crowned ‘World’s Best Travelers’ and more features on the 2019 Global Scavenger Hunt at goingplacesfarandnear.com

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Adventure Travel, Around-the-World, experiential travel, Global Scavenger Hunt, Importance of Tourism, international travel, Responsible Travel, Uncategorized

Applications Being Accepted for 16th Annual Global Scavenger Hunt, Around-the-World Mystery Tour, Set for April 17-May 9, 2020

Racing out of Petra, Jordan, team Lazy Monday, Eric & Kathryn Verwillow of California, who would go on to win second place in the 2019 Global Scavenger Hunt © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

SANTA ROSA, USA –The 16th annual edition of The Global Scavenger Hunt, known among travel cognoscenti as the world travel championship, is set to take place over 23-days between April 17 and May 9, 2020, is now accepting applications for entry. Eager Indiana Jones-types of adventurers and curious travelers wanting to test their travel IQ against other travelers in an extraordinary around-the-world travel adventure competition that crowns The World’s Greatest Travelers, can apply at GlobalScavengerHunt.com. 

“Competitions, trophies and titles provide inspiration,” says Event Director William Chalmers, “We want the best international travelers to participate. The 2020 event will find out if travel writers and bloggers know the world as well as they claim to; whether social media influencers and travel agents can go beyond their staged selfies and glossy brochures; and whether some of the world’s ‘most traveled people’ and Amazing Race wannabe’s actually have any real-world travel skills. Winning our event is the ultimate test and proof.” 

The 2020 event will pit savvy international travelers against each other by taking them on A Blind Date with the World, visiting ten secret destinations without any prior preparation, and then have them unravel a constant blitz of highly authentic, participatory and challenging culturally-oriented scavenges along the way, like: meditating with monks, training elephants, taking flamenco lessons, cooking local dishes with local chefs, searching out Lost Cities, cracking sacred temple mysteries, joining in local celebrations, and learning local languages enough to decipher their scavenger hunt clues. Trusting strangers in strange lands will be their focus as they circle the globe for three weeks. The event has touched foot in 85 countries to date.

The title of The World’s Greatest Travelers and free trip around the world to defend their titles in the 2021 event await the travelers worthy enough to win the 16th edition of the world travel championship.    

Event participation is open but limited; the $25,000 per team entry fee includes all international airfare, First Class hotels, 40% of meals, and special event travel gear. All travelers are interviewed for suitability and single travelers are welcome to apply. For additional information please visit GlobalScavengerHunt.com, or contact GreatEscape Adventures Inc., at +1.310.281.7809. (CST#2071053-40)

See Global Scavenger Hunt: In the Scramble to be Crowned ‘World’s Best Travelers’ and more features on the 2019 Global Scavenger Hunt at goingplacesfarandnear.com

For more travel features, visit:

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goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

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Adventure Travel, Around-the-World, Best in Travel, Cultural Travel, experiential travel, Mystery travel

Last Call to Enter Global Scavenger Hunt for $50,000 Prize

All you have to do to win $50,000 as the World Travel Champion is circle the globe and visit ten secret countries in 23-days in the one-of-a-kind travel adventure, while out-doing, out-thrilling and out-traveling a worthy collection of international travelers participating in the 2019 event for points for completing a series of highly participatory, authentic and challenging cultural site-doing scavenges scavenges. Trusting strangers in strange lands is required! © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Only a few spots remain for adventurous Indiana Jones-types and intrepid Nellie Blys willing to compete in the Global Scavenger Hunt, a world travel championship that hands the winning team a cool $50,000 first place prize.

The 15th edition of The Global Scavenger Hunt travel adventure competition aims to return the romance of travel while testing the travel IQ of the most travel savvy of globetrotters. They will complete a series of highly participatory, authentic and challenging cultural site-doing scavenges in ten secret countries over a 23-day circumnavigation between April 12 and May 4, 2019. Trusting strangers in strange lands is required!

Last call: interested travelers need to apply online at GlobalScavengerHunt.com as the deadline is nearing.

“The Global Scavenger Hunt covers a lot of extraordinary travel bases,” says author and Event Director William Chalmers, “Taking our blind date with the world is a 21st century version of spinning a globe and throwing out your finger. Maybe that’s why we’ve been called the ‘Super Bowl of Travel,’ the ‘Olympics of Travel’, and one writer even called our annual travel adventure the ‘Magical Mystery Tour’. I liked that one!”

The reviews for the annual world travel championship are in too: Conde Nast Traveler calls The Global Scavenger Hunt, “the best trip to take…”;  Frommer’s lists it as one of “best adrenaline adventures…” in the world; Outside magazine bills it as, “One of the most amazing trips in the world…”; and National Geographic says that the event is, “…like Survivor, The Amazing Race and the Eco-Challenge all rolled into one except with much more cultural interaction.”

The 23-day around the world event is limited to 15 teams of two with the $25,000 per team entry fee including: all international airfare, first class hotels, 40% of meals and special event-sponsored travel gear. Single travelers are welcome to apply; and all travelers will be interviewed for suitability. Please contact GreatEscape Adventures at +1.310.281.7809 or apply online at GlobalScavengerHunt.com. (CST#2071053-40)

 

For more travel features, visit:

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