Category Archives: international travel

Active Travel, bike trips, international travel, Multisport adventures, women-only travel

Croatia is the Next Hot Destination for Women-Only Adventure Travel

Wild Women Expeditions is hosting multiple departures of two new, distinct itineraries that embrace the blue waters and high-altitude wilderness of Croatia.

CORNER BROOK, NL, Canada– Across the Adriatic Sea from Italy is a sun-splashed shoreline that marks Croatia, sometimes known as Dalmatia. Here in 2019, Wild Women Expeditions will host multiple departures of two new, distinct itineraries that embrace the blue waters and high-altitude wilderness of this secret Riviera.

Kaleidoscopic Croatian Multisport is a 13-day active immersion in nature and culture that promises up to six hours of hiking or four hours each of paddling and cycling most days. Departures in 2019 are May 23, Sept. 1, Sept 22 and Oct.13. The per person (double occupancy) rate of $4,695 includes:

  • 12 nights shared accommodations in locally owned hotels and guesthouses
  • All breakfasts and lunches and some dinners
  • Ground transportation from Zagreb to Dubrovnik
  • Airport transfers on Day 13
  • All equipment required for activities outlined in the itinerary
  • All national park or entrance fees required to deliver the activities
  • English-speaking female lead guide plus support staff

This itinerary begins in Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb, before departing for Kopački Rit Nature Park on the Croatian-Serbian border. During a homestay, guests will prepare dinner and perhaps hear stories about the history of what life was like in Tito’s Yugoslavia before the Balkan states erupted into being in the early 1990s.

Croatia’s pride and joy are its national and nature parks. Kopački Rit Nature Park on the Danube floodplain is dubbed the European Amazon for its rich biodiversity and abundance of bird and wildlife. After exploring this wildest side of Croatia, the itinerary weaves through the mountains, tracing vestiges of Celtic and Roman civilizations en route to Dubrovnik. After hiking in Papuk Nature Park, guests will finish the day by arriving in Samobor to enjoy dinner and kremsnite, a puff pastry with custard cream unique to these high altitudes. Guests will further explore the Sambor Highlands before embarking on a hiking tour the following day through Plitvice Lakes National Park, home to over 16 lakes that cascade from one to the next.

Leaving mountains behind, guests arrive in Split, a 1700-year-old city with the palace of a Roman emperor, Diocletian, dating from 4th century AD. Guests roll up their sleeves to play with clay, making souvenirs with natural elements and tools. Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking follow an overnight on Hvar, one of the countless islands in this region. Guests will then sail to Vis, an island that until 25 years ago housed the largest military base in the former Yugoslavia alongside traditional Dalmatian stone villages, many abandoned.

Before touring Dubrovnik comes a day on bicycles past vineyards, farms and dwellings scarred by war from 1991-1995. A local family hosts a dinner with homemade bread and cheeses, local wines and prosek. They’ll probably embroider stories of the war for independence in the conversation, embroidery that replaces the colorful hand-stitched garments once worn here and that underscores the fragile cultures and customs. Dubrovnik residents in the early 1990s survived for six months on just bread and water as houses and shops were shelled inside 14th-century walls. Today’s Dubrovnik is a high-energy destination. For more details on this itinerary please see https://wildwomenexpeditions.com/trips/kaleidoscopic-croatian-multisport/

Kornati Islands Kayak Adventure is a 10-night itinerary offered in 2019 on June 12 and Sept.12 departures. The per person rate is $4,495 USD for:

  • 10-night accommodations in small hotels, fisherman guest houses, self-catering apartment and on sailboats
  • All meals
  • Single or double sea kayaks, the use of skirts, paddles PFD’s, paddling jackets, dry bags and all safety gear
  • Ground and sea transportation from Zadar to Split
  • English-speaking female certified sea kayak guide(s);
  • All national park or entrance fees

The adventure begins in Zadar on the Dalmatian coast between Split (north) and Dubrovnik (south). This ancient center combines 8th-century religious art with Roman artifacts and Sea Organ, an installation that captures the music of the waves.

One of the least accessible places in Croatia is Kornati National Park that exposes a jagged coastline with a rich submarine eco-system, natural beauty and interesting geomorphology. Guests paddle by bottlenose dolphins and slow-but-lovable loggerhead sea turtles through a labyrinth of small islands, reefs and islets that make up 12 percent of all the islands in the Croatian Adriatic. Cliffs drop steeply to the sea that supports families of fisherfolk who offer hospitality over home-made meals. Written documents from the 10th century confirm one island’s fishing tradition of 1000 years.

In the Šibenik archipelago, a sailboat lends support for an open-sea crossing to a community of 249 islands, of which only six are inhabited. An undiscovered jewel on this archipelago is Zlarin, where, since the 14th century, islanders have been diving for colorful sea corals. A sea paddle to Krka National Park reveals a karst phenomenon with seven travertine waterfalls, numerous endemic endangered species, and over 1000 plant and 225 bird species. Speleology lovers are drawn to some 40 grottoes and pits; others to medieval fortresses, harbingers of the bustle of civilization that lies ahead in the farewell city of Split. For details please see https://wildwomenexpeditions.com/trips/kornati-islands-kayak-adventure/.

For itineraries, availability and reservations for these and all Wild Women Expeditions’ programs call 1 (888) 993-1222, email [email protected] or visit online at https://wildwomenexpeditions.com/.

Founded in 1991, Wild Women Expeditions is the world’s largest women-only travel company. Its initial focus was on canoeing on remote Ontario waters. Through an unwavering focus on Canada, one of the wildest, most pristine countries in the world, Wild Women Expeditions became experts in a pioneering niche that introduced small groups of women into wilderness settings. The company now hosts guests all over the world, offering more trips and more women-only, backcountry camping, hiking, paddling and horseback adventures than any other women’s travel company in the world. 

 

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Best in Travel, Cultural Travel, international travel

Tourico Vacations Pinpoints Popular Destinations for 2019

Cambodia © Travel Features Syndicate/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Tourico Vacations, an online booking engine, is in position to assist in booking trips to the most popular destinations for 2019. Haven’t decided? From European excursions to African and Asian adventures, here are some favorites:

If you’re interested in exploring vast rural landscapes and relaxing in beautifully remote areas, The Isle of Skye in Scotland, and Namibia, Africa, are two of 2019’s top contenders. Namibia’s stunning deserts, massive dunes, shipwrecked coastline, and plethora of diverse wildlife (including desert-adapted lions and elephants) make it an extraordinarily unique area. On the other hand, The Isle of Skye’s lush yet rugged countryside, medieval castles, quaint fishing villages, and relentless historical charm make it equally stunning.

If lounging on empty beaches and uninterruptedly soaking up sun sound like better ways to spend your 2019, choosing between the Andaman Islands in India, and Krabi, Thailand, will be tough. Phulay Bay is a phenomenal luxury resort on the white beaches of Krabi, and the entire area is known for being “still under the radar, uncrowded and peaceful.” The Andaman Islands, however, are known to be “among the world’s top diving destinations,” boasting nearly 600 mostly-uninhabited isles to explore.

If you’re looking for vibrant colorful communities, spectacular food, and special cultural experiences to kick off your 2019, it’s hard to choose between Chengdu, China, and Moscow, Russia. Moscow definitely has the impressive architecture and exchange rates to make the newly revived capital a must-see city. However, Chengdu’s infamous teahouses, colorful wet markets, fashion, culture, and food makes it unmatchable – plus, they have pandas.

Tourico Vacations is an online booking engine designed to provide customers with insider prices on more than 16,000 hotels, 2,000 cruise itineraries, flights, car rentals, vacation packages, and attractions worldwide. In addition to travel services, Tourico Vacations recently introduced Condos, European and American homes, a service offering accommodations at over 4,500 luxury vacation condos worldwide by the week.

 

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international travel, Responsible Travel

State Department Reclassifies Cuba’s Travel Advisory to Level 2, No Longer Recommending Americans ‘Reconsider Travel’

Tour operators welcomed the US State Department’s reclassification of its Cuba’s travel advisory to a Level 2.

The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory rating for Cuba from “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” to “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.” The move, which took place in August, was welcomed by a coalition of U.S. tour operators and organizations that have seen educational exchanges between the U.S. and Cuba deeply hurt by the State Department’s level 3 classification. However, other measures are still in place, including a warning in the travel advisory to “avoid” the popular Hotel Nacional and Hotel Capri. The updated rating came as part of the Department’s mandatory six-month review of the Cuba travel advisory, which was last evaluated on March 2, 2018.

“We are pleased that the State Department has made this common-sense decision,” said Martha Honey, Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), which has coordinated the coalition’s advocacy work. “Cuba is one of the safest countries in the world, and people-to-people exchanges, which began to flourish under the Obama administration, ground almost to a halt when the travel restrictions were imposed last year.”

Ahead of the State Department’s review, the coalition sent a letter to the State Department advocating for this change to Cuba’s travel advisory. The group argued that the “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” rating was unwarranted given the realities of travel to Cuba and explained the travel advisory’s far-reaching negative impacts for the Cuban people as well as for U.S. travelers and travel businesses. For the first half of 2018, U.S. travel to Cuba – not including travel by Cuban Americans – declined by 23.6% compared to the same period in 2018. In a survey conducted by CREST in early 2018, 84% of U.S. tour operators cited the State Department’s travel advisory as the main reason for this drop in U.S. travel to Cuba.

“As travel professionals, we have seen firsthand the benefits of people-to-people travel to Cuba, which puts revenue directly into the hands of Cuban households while providing U.S. travelers with outstanding cultural and educational experiences…We are concerned about how the decline in U.S. travel to Cuba is hurting Cuban entrepreneurs and curtailing invaluable exchanges between American travelers and the Cuban people,” the coalition said in their letter to the State Department.

Cuba’s travel advisory rating was designated at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” after U.S. embassy personnel in Havana were stricken with unexplained health ailments. However, as the coalition’s letter explains, there have been no confirmed cases of similar ailments among visitors to Cuba.

The update to the Cuba travel advisory rating is a critical step forward for the Cuban people and recognizes the importance of educational and people-to-people travel. Kate Simpson, President of Academic Travel Abroad in Washington, DC notes, “This move on the part of the State Department, placing Cuba in the same category as most of Europe, should reassure American citizens that it is legal and safe to travel to this unique and compelling destination.”

The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) is a policy-oriented research organization dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism. CREST assists governments, policy makers, tourism businesses, nonprofit organizations, and international agencies with finding solutions to critical issues confronting tourism, the world’s largest service industry (responsibletravel.org).

Wilderness Voyageurs Cuba Cycling Tours 

Meanwhile, Wilderness Voyageurs has announced new tour dates for its popular Cuba Clasico Bike Tour, a fully supported and legally licensed tour that starts and finishes in Havana. Along the way, the tour visits 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Havana Vieja, Trinidad and Zapata National Park); Old Town Havana; Museo de Ernesto Hemingway; and sea kayaking on the coast. The dates are December 1, 2018 and March 30, 2019.

The company also is offering Quintessential West Cuba Bike Tour, starting March 23, 2019.

Wilderness Voyageurs, 103 Garrett Street, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, 724-329-1000, 800-272-4141, wilderness-voyageurs.com.

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Cultural Travel, international travel

World Spree Offers Early-Bird Special to Book 2019 Air-Inclusive Exotic India & Nepal Trip

World Spree’s Exotic India and Nepal trip includes a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Bellevue, WA —Chances are you’re never going to climb Mount Everest, so the next best way to see the world’s highest mountain (along with the most fascinating cities of India and Nepal) is on World Spree’s Exotic India and Nepal trip.  If you can plan ahead for an Early-Bird Special, the 14-day air-inclusive tour costs $1,799 in May of 2019.  In the meantime, the price is higher, but still a good deal.

The tour includes round-trip international air fare from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York to Delhi, flights to and from Kathmandu, accommodation in deluxe hotels (familiar names like Hilton and Marriott), 11 buffet breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners, all ground transportation, baggage handling, sightseeing and entrance fees, and professional English-speaking guides.

The tour starts with sightseeing in Old Delhi, a chaotic but spellbinding scene of markets, mosques and Mughal Empire remains.  A sharp contrast is the colonial architecture of New Delhi, built by the British  in the early 20th century.  The tour continues with two days in the enchanting city of Agra, home to that legendary symbol of love, the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal. Then it’s on to  the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur,  known as the “pink city” for its rose-hued buildings, and a jeep trip to the hilltop Amber Fort.

A short flight  takes the tour to Kathmandu, the  capital of Nepal that’s surrounded by Himalayan peaks and known for its Durbar Square, graceful temples, elegant palaces, and picturesque streets.  Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites grace the Kathmandu Valley, including Bhaktapur, the nation’s cultural gem with its appealing   crafts, ornate palaces, temples galore and 19 Buddhist monasteries.  Then there’s Patan, full of old charm, traditional brick houses, temples, monasteries and monuments.  And super-photogenic Boudha, with Asia’s largest stupa, where Tibetan monks wander the prayer-flag-bedecked streets and pilgrims spin prayer wheels.

On the last day in Nepal, it’s possible to take an early-morning flight (Optional Tour: $220 per person, to be paid directly in Nepal) above the mighty Himalayas for a close-up view of Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains, an easy way to see the world’s tallest peak. Then it’s back to Delhi for a celebratory farewell dinner and transfer to the airport for the flight  home.

All prices are per person, double occupancy and are subject to availability.  For more information, visit www.worldspree.com, click Destinations and then Nepal, or call toll-free 1-866-652-5656.

World Spree Travel, which started 12 years ago as China Spree, with tours of China, is a tour operator renowned for its 5-star trips at 3-star prices.  Based in Bellevue, Washington, World Spree has expanded all over Asia and now operators tours to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bali and, yes, Peru. Japan and Ecuador are coming soon.  It is telling that 70% of World Spree’s tour participants are repeat clients who value well-planned trips at a reasonable price.

 

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international travel

Luxury Gold Provides Entrée to Largest Privately-Owned Chateau in France, 8 More New VIP Experiences

Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte in France

RYE, NY – When traveling, the best way to get to know a destination is by immersing oneself in the local culture, whether it be through a unique encounter with local people, dining on authentic regional cuisine, or seeing an iconic monument in a new way.

On Luxury Gold’s nine new itineraries, immersive VIP experiences are built into each trip. Guests learn about the people, places and history of each destination in ways that aren’t available to the average traveler, while moving from city to city on luxury coaches with extra legroom, staying in five-star hotels in stunning locations, and enjoying the personal attention of an expertly trained Traveling Concierge.

Here are just a few examples of the revealing experiences guests can have on Luxury Gold’s nine new itineraries in Japan, Croatia and Montenegro, Scandinavia, the UK, France, New Zealand, Costa Rica and South Africa:

  1. Majestic Japan: As part of this 11-day journey guests journey north via the luxurious shinkansen bullet train to Sendai, the City of Trees. This is a truly locals-only region, off the beaten path and away from the tourist crowds. Guests spend some time exploring Aoba Castle, and see a thrilling exclusive performance by a samurai warrior . Afterwards guests meet with the samurai, who also happens to be a member of one of Sendai’s most influential families. This is one of three VIP experiences on the itinerary, which also includes a meeting with a survivor of the 1945 atomic bomb in Hiroshima, and a private musical performance of Tsugaru Shamisen and Taiko in Tsugaru han Neputa Village.
  2. Captivating Croatia and Montenegro: This extraordinary 12-day journey showcases the warm hospitality, unique cuisine and ancient cultures of Croatia and Montenegro. In Dubrovnik guests have a VIP meeting with Matija and Giorgio Vierda, master jewelry craftsmen whose family’s work can be found amongs the treasured possessions at the Ethnographic Museum. They’ll demonstrate ancient goldsmithing techniques and show off some of their handiwork. Also on this itinerary guests join Tomislav, an oyster farmer, for a boat ride to the floating oyster beds of the Adriatic near the village of Stön. They’ll watch as he brings in the ropes and shucks oysters right on board. Guests then savor a mouthful straight from the sea, served with freshly squeezed lemon and a chilled glass of local wine. Later they return to the shore for a family-style, sea-to-table lunch at the captain’s very own restaurant.
  3. Timeless Scandinavia: Nautical grandeur, extraordinary natural wonders and man-made marvels are front and center on this 12-day journey to Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In Oslo, guests are treated to a VIP after-hours visit to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump Museum, where they learn about 4,000 years of skiing history. Afterwards, they’ll drink a toast at the top of the famous ski jump – which was the site of the 1952 winter Olympic ski jumping events – and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
  4. British Royale: The pomp and pageantry of Britain’s royal heritage is the focus of this incredible nine-day journey, which includes a special after-hours visit to the Tower of London, one of the city’s most infamous monuments. In the evening, once the crowds have gone home, guests take a private tour with a serving Yeoman Warder then watch him perform the Ceremony of the Keys, an ancient gate-closing ritual carried out every night for the past 700 years. On this itinerary guests also get after-hours, VIP entry to York’s majestic Harlow Carr Gardens, a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, where they learn about indigenous plant species from a senior gardener before enjoying an exclusive twilight picnic.
  5. French Vogue: On this magnificent 11-day journey guests step into the 17th century during an exclusive VIP visit to the largest privately-owned chateau in France, Vaux-Le-Vicomte . Designed in 1653 by the King’s principal architect, the chateau is the embodiment of revolutionary design and set the tone for the classical era of French architecture. The estate’s gardens are equally impressive, comprising 100 acres of treasures, decorated fountains, patterned flower beds and timeless statues. Guests join the estate’s lead gardener for a guided walk through the gardens, or alternatively, learn about the subtleties of high society during a dining etiquette class hosted by a professional butler.
  6. French Impression: On this epic 27-day odyssey through France guests enjoy not only a VIP visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte as described above, but they also have the most quintessential of French experiences: a small-group gourmet foodie walk through the streets of Paris. They’ll join a Local Expert and food connoisseur and discover why Paris is so famous for its cuisine while they visit a variety of boutique shops, patisseries, boulangeries, chocolatiers, baguette cafes and tiny fromageries. Guests meet passionate foodies along the way, and give their palate an insider taste of the City of Light.
  7. Inspiring New Zealand: This exhilirating 10-day journey showcases New Zealand’s natural splendor, culinary flair and fascinating indigenous culture. Guests are invited for a VIP visit to the home of retired champion horse jockey Lance O’Sullivan and his wife, Bridgette. During a private lunch at O’Sullivan’s Red Barn, which overlooks Lake Karapiro, they’ll hear his racing tales as they feast on New Zealand specialties such as lamb and kiwi fruit and enjoy stunning 360-degree views of his 500-acre dairy farm. This itinerary also includes VIP entry to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand in Wellington, before it opens to the public. Guests take a guided walk through compelling exhibits and learn about the people, places and ideas that shaped New Zealand and the Pacific.
  8. Indulgence in Costa Rica: On this spectacular seven-day journey into the heart of central America guests not only see Arenal volcano, they also meet with a volcanologist from the National University of Costa Rica’s Volcanological and Seismological Observatory. They’ll learn about his research and hear how the area has been transformed by volcanic activity. Guests are also treated to an exclusive marimba show in Guanacaste on this itinerary, showcasing the beautiful sounds of one of the most popular instruments in Central America.
  9. Spectacular South Africa: This life-changing nine-day journey showcases the beautiful wilderness, eclectic cultures and complex historical heritage of South Africa. In cosmopolitan Cape Town guests enjoy a private lunch at the V&A Waterfront with Manfred Jacobs, a former warden at the Victor Verster prison where Nelson Mandela spent the last 14 months of his 27-year-long imprisonment. Jacobs tells fascinating stories about Mandela , one of history’s most heroic figures, and describes what life was like under the apartheid regime. While in Cape Town guests also enjoy a private VIP ride to the summit of Table Mountain on the famous revolving cable car, which offers 360-degree views of the Mother City. At the top, guests enjoy a drink and marvel at the African sunset.

For reservations, contact your travel agent,
call 1-888-862-5952, or visit www.luxurygoldvacations.com.

Luxury Gold is one of the family of brands of The Travel Corporation which created The Treadright Foundation, a not-for-profit working to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported some 50 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, Wildaid, The Travel Foundation and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include supporting various women’s social enterprises through the Artisan Alliance, the recently announced Wildlife Conservation Society’s Big Cat fund, WE.org and inspiring nature advocates like Céline Cousteau and Terri Irwin. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight,  visit us at treadright.org.

 

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Cultural Travel, Historic Places, international travel

Early Bird Special: Air-Inclusive India and its Famed Golden Triangle for $999

The Taj Mahal, Agra, part of India’s Golden Triangle © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Bellevue, WA—World Spree Travel has pulled off a bargain to the one of the world’s most colorful and fascinating destinations.  If you can plan ahead—to May, 2019, the tour operator’s new Exotic India tour starts at $999 including round-trip air fare, all ground transportation and transfers, baggage handling, sightseeing and entrance fees, professional English-speaking tour managers/guides, daily American  breakfasts, five other meals and deluxe hotels like Marriott and Hilton that have swimming pools, fitness centers and restaurants.  (If you can’t plan that far ahead, the air-inclusive tour costs $1,349 to $1,549 from September, 2018 to April, 2019, which is still a good deal.)

The tour covers the cultural and architectural riches of northern India: the famed Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.  The capital, Delhi, offers a view of Indian history from ancient settlement through the Mughal Empire and the British Raj to the present.  Sightseeing here includes a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi’s narrow alleyways and Chandni Chowk market, the Red Fort, India’s largest mosque, and Humayun’s 16th-century garden-surrounded tomb.  There’s also a visit to a Sikh temple whose kitchen feeds 20,000 people each day.  A mind-boggling contrast is provided by the tree-lined boulevards of Edwin Lutyens’ 20th-century imperial city, New Delhi, and Mahatma Gandhi’s former home.

On to Agra for a tour of the Taj Mahal, one of  the world’s most famous and  beautiful buildings, a white marble jewel of Mughal architecture built by the Emperor Shah Jahan (and 20,000 workers) in loving memory of his wife.  There’s also a visit to the marble market and  free time for sightseeing and shopping.

On the way to the land of the Rajput kings, the tour stops to see an amazing 10th-century “stepwell” that’s 99 feet deep, has 13 floors and 3,500 steps—an ancient solution to an arid climate.  Then comes the capital of Rajasthan, the “pink city” of Jaipur, a city of palaces, temples, forts and lush gardens, founded in the 18th century and painted pink in the 19th for a British Royal visit.  Here tour participants enjoy a jeep ride to the hilltop 16th-century Amber Fort, a fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and time to explore the markets full of Rajasthani textiles: rugs, silk scarves and embroidered shawls. There’s also a visit to Ladli, a non-profit initiative that supports homeless children.  Then it’s back to Delhi for a celebratory farewell dinner and airport transfer.

All prices are per person, double occupancy, and are subject to availability. For more information about the Exotic India tour, visit www.worldspree.com, click Destinations, then India, then 2019, or call toll-free 1-866-652-5656.

World Spree Travel, which started 12 years ago as China Spree, with tours of China, is a tour operator renowned for its 5-star trips at 3-star prices.  Based in Bellevue, Washington, World Spree has expanded all over Asia and now operates tours to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bali and yes, Peru.  Japan and Ecuador are coming soon.  Note that 70% of World Spree’s tour participants are repeat clients who value well-planned trips at a reasonable price.

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Active Travel, Cultural Travel, heritage travel, hiking, Historic Places, Historic Preservation, international travel, Multisport adventures

Hike, Horseback Ride, Pub & Fiddle Crawl Thru Castles, Celtic Ruins, Manors on Vagabond Irish Adventure

Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland’s 12-day “Giant Irish Adventure” circumnavigates the island nation.

COUNTY WICKLOW, Ireland–Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland’s 12-day “Giant Irish Adventure” circumnavigates the island nation. Beginning in Dublin, guests poke around impregnable fortresses, ring forts, beehive huts, manor houses and castles. The common element to the sites is the stone – indestructible and a metaphor for the Irish spirit

Nature’s stone edifices also play a role in the Giant Irish Adventure that includes Ireland’s highest mountain range called the Macgillycuddy Reeks or black stacks of glacial-carved sandstone; the Cliffs of Moher of shale and limestone overlooking the Atlantic; and the Giant’s Causeway, a natural sculpture playground of basalt columns created by volcanic activities in the Atlantic Ocean a millennia ago.

Per person double rate of €2,769 includes the services of a highly trained professional Vagabond tour guide for 12 full days; 11 nights accommodation (4 nights B&B, 6 nights hotel, 1 night in a castle); 11 full Irish breakfasts; guided walks; entrance to most of the historical and archaeological sites and to some natural sites; demonstrations of local craftsmen at work; and all relevant fees and taxes. See: https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/tour/irish-tours-12-day-giant-irish-adventure/.

This tour caters to active travelers who want time aplenty to explore where they are by foot. Hikes of up to two hours are daily highlights. Some activities such as horseback riding, sea kayaking and surfing and biking in Killarney National Park are optional. The tour is flexible and guests can arrange to opt out of one activity and into another.

Among the historic stone structures guests may visit Dunluce Castle is a cliff-edge ruin from the 13th century, with views over the Irish Sea to Scotland; Stone Ring Fort (1700 BC) constructed by Bronze Age farmers as defenses against cattle thieves with such precision that no mortar was required; Glenveigh Castle and Gardens. a Victorian (1867) edifice in what is now Glenveagh National Park; the original owner drove poor tenants from the land so he could transform it into an aristocrats’ hunting playground; Donegal Castle was built in the 15th century on the site of a one-time Viking fortress; Abbeyglen Castle Hotel where the mountains of Connemara meet the sea was constructed in 1832 (overnight here); Beehive huts (Clochán) date to 5th century monastic settlements (think Luke Skywalker’s retreat in Star Wars); Blarney Castle dates to medieval times; kissing the Blarney Stone is said to bestow the gift of eloquence; Rock of Cashel or St. Patrick’s Rock from the 12th century boasts a Romanesque chapel harboring ancient frescoes.

On the daily walks and hikes, guests explore: Slieve Gullion Mountain, the highest point in Ireland which harbors Neolithic passage tombs; Cliffside Trail including 132 steps to Giants Causeway; Slieve League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe; Croagh Patrick, the famous holy mountain where every step taken means a sin forgiven; Cliffs of Moher, 700-foot sea cliffs; Kilkee Cliff Walk overlooking the Atlantic; Glacial valley of Lough Annascaul.

Throughout the journey, the Vagabond arranges stops at locally owned accommodations, pubs and restaurants Transport is in a 4×4 Land Rover or Mercedes ‘Vagatron’ that allows intimate access beyond where regular tour buses go.
(see https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/tour/irish-tours-12-day-giant-irish-adventure/.)

For details on Vagabond Small-Group Tours of Ireland itineraries, visit https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/, 833-230-0288, or email: [email protected] or [email protected].

 

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Adventure Travel, Cultural Travel, ecotourism, international travel, Latin America, Wildlife travel

Wildland Adventures Introduces New Tours to Colombia

Wildland Adventures is introducing three new active tour itineraries in Columbia that weave culture and wildlife with hiking, rafting and birdwatching.

SEATTLE, WA– Colombia is the newest emerging travel hot spot and Wildland Adventures, an award-winning travel company known for meticulous tour development, is introducing three new active tour itineraries in Columbia that weave culture and wildlife with hiking, rafting and birdwatching.

“Now that peace and security have been restored, Colombia is “one of the world’s extraordinary new travel hot spots because of its stunning biodiversity and cultural heritage,” said Kurt Kutay, Wildland Adventures founder and president.

Americans are often surprised by the sophistication they find upon shaking hands with such South American gems as Bogota, Colombia’s capital. These itineraries introduce the 500-year-old patinas of vibrant cities, still cobblestoned, former colonial hubs that welcomed explorers, pirates and conquistadors searching for El Dorado.

“Our Wildland Adventures in Colombia utilize a comprehensive network of new airline connections and a good primary road system, with 4×4 access on secondary roads into more remote regions and trailheads. The last decade has seen new-found economic growth and political stability, and vastly improved security presenting itself as the new gateway to South America. As tourism develops, restored colonial boutique hotels and ecolodges are popping up across the country. There’s also an exciting gastronomic scene evolving,” added Kutay.

Rafting, snorkeling and diving into freshwater rivers and salty seas hint at a gold standard of adventure. Along with prehistoric and extant jungle creatures come nearly 20 percent of the world’s bird species. Colombia Wildlands and Wildlife is a 14-day program that starts and ends in Bogota. The per person double rate is from $5,840.

In Bogota guests visit vibrant neighborhoods and plazas, including the impressive Gold Museum and the Botero Museum. Fernando Botero’s transcendent depictions of his people recall themes familiar in the work of Mexico’s Diego Rivera. Then the economy and culture of coffee come to life in the cool uplands of the central Andes, along with sub-tropical cloud forest rife with bird and wildlife. One of the world’s most difficult genus of birds to catch sight of, antpittas, and the masked saltator and ocellated tapaculo are protected in their natural habitat in the Rio Blanco Nature Reserve.

The Amazon Basin eco system introduces a conservation project and eco-lodge helping support indigenous peoples on their own lands. The tour visits a foundation that protects and studies primates on site. Another ecosystem of montaine forest rises to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains, a coastal range home to around 600 bird species. Once off-limits for security reasons, the San Lorenzo Ridge is the crown jewel of the avian habitat, allowing birders to see over 20 of the Sierra’s 24 endemic species representing the highest level of endemism in the world. Here are the Santa Marta parakeet and rufous antpittas that can be spotted walking along the road just before sunrise.

Highlights of Colombia is an 11-day itinerary from $3,150 per person double. Guests meet in Bogota before transferring to Villa de Leyva, a 16th century colonial town surrounded by a dry Andean Acacia forest. Guests hike in a nearby cloud forest and bike in the adventure capital of Colombia, the province of Santander, where the UNESCO World Heritage town of Barichara dating to the Spanish conquest remains “the prettiest town in Colombia.” One six-mile hike on the cobblestoned Caminos Reales (Royal Road) leads to a meet up with a restoration specialist who demonstrates how to construct mud adobe brick walls in their original style. Caminos Reales also connects to Chicamocha, the Grand Canyon of South America. A stay at a coffee plantation concludes the interior tour before moving to the Caribbean coast to explore Tayrona National Park, a bio-diverse, palm-fringed paradise skirting white sand beaches. Here are the ruins of El Pueblito, a vast system of stone terraces, aquaducts and round platform foundations of an ancient civilization.

Leaving nature behind, Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage city, teases appetites for colonial and Caribbean flavors in this former (1533) Spanish port. A visit includes a foodie walk stopping at favorite cafes and food stands frequented by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the fabled author of, among others, Love in the Time of Cholera. Kutay thinks that Cartagena is the most seductive city of the Caribbean.

Unexplored Colombia: Coffee, Culture, and Coast over 12 days combines the Coffee Triangle with whale watching (extension) on the Pacific. The per person double rate is from $3,660.

From Bogota guests travel to Cali, famed for the Salsa Dance Academy. Medellin (the departure city) is revered as one of the most beautiful places in South America. Here via cable car, guests access the re-invigorated and thriving barrio that drug king Pablo Escobar helped build. They also hike through the Otun Quimbaya Flora & Fauna Sanctuary, a cloud forest with hundreds of species of butterflies; birds ranging from eagles to hummingbirds; and mammals, including spectacled bears, tapir, deer, cane skunks, and howler monkeys. Enroute to the Andes guests may climb 600+ stone steps for a 360-degree view from El Penol, a massive stone rising out of the flat ground and once worshiped by the Tahamies Indians. The one-time mansion of Pablo Escobar is nearby.

Guests engaged in the extension to the Pacific Coast fly to the Chocó region. Here there are no roads, just air and boat access. Misty jungle-clad hills spouting waterfalls and hot springs meet the white sand of the Pacific. This biodiverse region offers kayaking around one of world’s largest humpback whale migrations (June – November). Located in the Biological Conservation Corridor Panamá-Chocó-Manabí, this zone is one of the most pristine marine ecosystems in the Pacific.

For more information on Wildland Adventures’ worldwide offerings, tour availability and reservations call 1-800-345-4453 or email [email protected]. Visit online at www.wildland.com.
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Cultural Travel, experiential travel, international travel

Luxury Gold Introduces ‘Chairman’s Collection’ of Exclusive Encounters with European Nobility on Select 2018 Trips

Enjoying a private tour of the Doge’s Palace in Venice on the Ultimate Italy itinerary.

RYE, NY– Life-changing, exclusive experiences are the hallmark of Luxury Gold, whose collection of 42 exceptional small-group journeys offer guests the chance to visit extraordinary destinations, meet remarkable local people and have immersive adventures that are not available to the average traveler.

In 2018 Luxury Gold takes exclusivity to the next level with the launch of its new Chairman’s Collection, a curated selection of truly memorable encounters with European nobles in stunning locales that are available on only 12 Luxury Gold departures in France, Italy, England and Austria.

Inspired by the golden era of travel, Stanley Tollman, chairman of The Travel Corporation (Luxury Gold’s parent company), leveraged his extensive personal connections to give guests the opportunity to meet with counts, duchesses and princesses, and go behind the scenes at some of Europe’s most celebrated castles, estates and cafés.

Alnwick Castle in the UK is visited by 800,000 people every year, but only Luxury Gold guests on the brand-new British Royale itinerary get a private tour of the castle’s gardens from the lady of the manor herself. Over the last 20 years Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland has spearheaded the restoration of her beloved Alnwick Garden to its former 18th century glory, and personally committed her time and energy to upholding her family’s legacy. Guests also meet the head gardener, Trevor Jones, and learn about the various features of the garden such as the labyrinth, the serpent garden and the ornate fountains. Afterward guests enjoy a seasonal lunch and explore the 11th century castle, whose striking medieval architecture was featured in the Harry Potter films. Available on August 9 and September 13 departures.

Café Procope is the oldest continuously operating café in Paris. On select departures on Luxury Gold’s two exciting new journeys in France, French Vogue and French Impression, guests will dine at the 400-year-old café with Count Rémy de Scitivaux. Between bites of coq au vin and other classic French specialties, Scitivaux will regale guests with tales from Procope’s colorful history, explain why it’s one of his favorite eateries in the City of Light, and talk about his noble background and family estate outside Paris. Available on May 11 and September 14 departures for French Vogue, and May 5 and September 8 departures for French Impression.

Ultimate Italy and La Serenissima are Luxury Gold’s two spectacular Italian itineraries. On four departures only, guests partake in an exclusive lunch with Count Francesco Mazzei at his centuries-old family estate in the Chianti region of Tuscany. The property is home to the Castello di Fonterutoli winery, one of Italy’s oldest family-owned firms, dating back to the 1500s. Guests will feast on pasta and wild boar hunted on the estate while learning about the Count’s family history and his approach to winemaking, then take a tour of the property and taste some of the award-winning wines. Available on May 19 and September 22 departures for Ultimate Italy, and May 10 and September 20 departures for La Serenissima.

Austria’s Artstetten Castle has a long and storied history. It was used as a family residence by generations of Habsburgs, including Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1914 sparked the beginning of World War I. It was later seized by the Nazis during World War II, but was returned to the Archduke’s descendants in 1949. One of those descendants is Ferdinand’s great-granddaughter Princess Anita von Hohenberg, the current occupant of the castle. The Princess, who is also a direct descendant of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, shares Hapsburg family stories during a private reception with guests traveling on select departures of the Harmony of Central Europe itinerary. Afterwards guests visit the historical museum and see the crypt where the Archduke and his wife are buried. Available on May 14 and September 17 departures.

Luxury Gold’s Chairman’s Collection “is made possible through the Tollman family’s century-long heritage in the travel industry, and demonstrates their unwavering pledge to provide incredible, unforgettable experiences for guests.”

For more information about the Chairman’s Collection and Luxury Gold journeys, contact your travel agent, call Luxury Gold at 1-888-862-5952, or visit www.luxurygoldvacations.com.

 

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bike trips, cycling trips, international travel

Ride & Seek Offers New 1,550 Km Bike Tour Across Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily

SRide & Seek is offering a new cycling tour across Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily.

(Sydney, Australia) — Ride & Seek is offering a new cycling tour across Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. Split into three weeklong stages, the “3 Islands Tour” is a journey through the history, food, architecture, and traditions of these Mediterranean jewels. Guests ride from north to south, beginning in Corsica, home of Napoleon. Its mountainous north contrasts beautifully with the idyllic beaches and fishing villages. Next, riders head to Sardinia, an island of towering cliffs, beach coves, and history. The final stage is spent biking Sicily where rolling farmland, volcanoes, and a stunning coastline is sprinkled with classical sites in exceptional settings. The 21-day, 1,550 km tour is slated for April 28-May 19, 2018 and starts at $10,440 USD. Weeklong stages start at $3,820 USD.

“The exceptional diversity of these islands is represented through the numerous civilizations and cultures that have left their mark, amazing gastronomic variations, strikingly rugged interior landscapes, stunning coastlines of white beaches and emerald waters, and locals with an incredibly strong sense of place,” said Ride & Seek President Dylan Reynolds.

The average daily riding distance will be around 80km, and extra loop rides will be available for those wanting more hills and ride time. Meals are a centerpiece of the “3 Island Tour,” with an emphasis on local cuisine and wine. Lodging consists of 3 and 4 star boutique hotels.

Other Highlights:
· Ride through UNESCO listed Calanques de Piana.
· Cycle down Corsica’s Costa Verde – one the most stunning coastal roads in the world.
· Visit Tharros – a sacred site for the Phoenicians in Sardinia.
· Explore UNESCO listed Valle di Templi in Agrigento.
· Discover the city of Syracuse – home to Archimedes and a rich Greek heritage. 

For more information, visit  http://www.rideandseek.com/epic/3islands.
 

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