Happy New Year, Wanderluster!
I love this time of year. I feel like I’m working from a clean slate and starting fresh… filled with new ideas, lots of excitement and good intentions. I don’t exactly list my resolutions, but here’s what I’m looking forward to in the year to come.
I wish that your 2013 is filled with health, happiness and many travels!
Did you see? Passports with Purpose ended the year with a bang, raising nearly $112,000 during our 5th annual fundraiser. With your wonderful help, we’ll be building 5 water wells in rural Haiti! A big THANK YOU to all the Wanderlusters who contributed and also helped spread the word.
Thank you as well to those who participated in our newsletter survey. Nearly 200 people responded with some excellent feedback which we’ll be implementing in the coming months and year (including adding articles from our bloggers like those to the right >>>>). Congratulations to Lynne Weinberger who was randomly drawn as the winner of the $50 gift card from Amazon! Go, Lynne!
Our 5th annual WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest received its final submissions on December 31st and our editor and judges will be pouring over these to choose winners who will be announced in mid-February. Good luck to those who entered!
In tour news… book any WanderTour on or before January 15th and you’ll receive a free coffee table book about that region!
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***WanderTours***
See our new videos: WanderTours and the Santa Fe Culinary Tour
Register on or before January 15th and receive a free coffee table book. See each itinerary for details.
VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TOUR (women-only)
March 13 – 30, 2013 WE HAVE A SOLO TRAVELER LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE!
Experience the unique culture, cuisine, history, scenery and people of these fascinating Southeast Asian countries. Pay a visit to awe-inspiring Angkor Wat along with other remarkable temples near Siem Reap, learn about Cambodian culture and history in Phnom Penh, take a relaxing boat trip down the Mekong, feel the vibe of Saigon, hike through Sapa tribal communities, take part in a cooking class, overnight on a traditional junk boat in Ha Long Bay. See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
March 17 – 28, 2013 1/3 ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT WITH LIMITED FLIGHT AVAILABILITY!
Discover the unique cultural aspects of this Buddhist Kingdom. Visit impressive dzongs (temples), learn about their philosophy of Gross National Happiness and meander through ancient villages. Finish the trip with a hike to Tiger’s Nest! The tour coincides with the Paro Festival which features the unfurling of the country’s largest thongdrel (banner). It is a spiritual event not to be missed! See the full itinerary.
SANTA FE CULINARY TOUR (women-only)
June 5 – 9, 2013 ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT SEE THE VIDEO
A culinary extravaganza suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike! Experience a hands-on tamale-making class, tour the farmer’s market with a local foodie expert, take a guided downtown tour, meander through gallery openings and learn about the area’s Native American history, culture and cuisine. Each day includes chocolate-tasting at local specialty chocolate shops. Scheduled for the summer for those who can’t break away other times of the year. See the full itinerary.
SEATTLE CULINARY TOUR (women-only)
June 27 – 30, 2013 WE HAVE ADDED A SECOND TOUR FOR THE SAME DATES. EMAIL BETH FOR DETAILS!
Join Beth on this 4-day culinary adventure to her hometown of Seattle. During this tour, you’ll experience some of Seattle’s best (and most iconic) restaurants, sample wines from the region’s nearby wine country, take a private food tour the Pike Place Market and learn how to prepare a special breakfast using local ingredients. You’ll also visit some of the city’s best sweet shops including specialty chocolates, popcorn and cupcakes. Suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. See the full itinerary.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MT. HAGEN SHOW CULTURAL TOUR (co-ed)
August 10 – 22, 2013 LIMITED AVAILABILITY ~ THIS TOUR WILL SELL OUT!
This incredibly unique journey to Papua New Guinea features the Mt. Hagen singsing, a tribal celebration like none other. The tour also includes a journey through the waterways of the fantastic Sepik River AND a trip to the Tari region, home to the famed Huli Wigman! Truly a once in a lifetime experience. See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN CULTURE AND FESTIVAL TOUR (women only)
October 15 – 26, 2013 REGISTER NOW TO SAVE ON FLIGHTS AND BE CONNECTED WITH A SHARE
Experience the best of Bhutan’s cultural highlights with visits to the country’s most impress monasteries and a hike to iconic Tiger’s Nest in this 12-day women only tour. The trip coincides with the Jambay Lhakhang tsechu, a festival that features the sacred midnight naked dance. This is where men in traditional masks dance in the courtyard of an ancient monastery. See the full itinerary.
NORTH INDIA CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
October 24 – November 10, 2013 JUST ANNOUNCED!
Join us on this unique tour of Northern India – a destination we know well. Visit the Taj Mahal, be immersed in a Bollywood-like cultural extravaganza in Delhi, get to know the cuisine through an intimate cooking demonstration and enjoy spectacular Diwali festivities with a local family. This tour covers the best of the North including Delhi, Agra, Chambal and Rajasthan (with a Varanasi add-on). See the full itinerary.
November 1 – 13, 2013 JUST ANNOUNCED!
Visit Myanmar just as the country is opening up to the outside world and slowly but surely changing its reputation. This 12-day adventure includes Burma’s highlights – the pagodas of Bagan, the magic and artistry of Mandalay and the peaceful and tribal-filled region of Inle Lake. This tour will sell out – don’t miss your chance to experience Burma with a wonderful group of Wanderlusters. See the full itinerary.
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WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest
The winners of our 5th annual WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest will be announced in mid-February.
The Grand Prize winner will receive a 7-night all-inclusive stay at the Hard Rock in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for two (including airfare vouchers)! Total value is: $4,539. The four category winners will receive $300 vouchers for Expedia.com. Good luck gals!
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Wander Recommendations
On the Bookshelf
This Is How I Save My Life by Amy B. Scher
I visited Amy while she was receiving embryonic stem cell treatments in Delhi a few years ago. Prior to this treatment, she was suffering greatly from the effects of long-undiagnosed Lyme Disease. This is her story. What I saw at the stem cell clinic in Delhi was nothing short of miraculous. Witnessing paraplegics walking for the first time in 15 years was enough to make me a true believer in stem cell treatment. Read this book.
In the iPod
Traveller by Anoushka Shankar
In some ways this is an unusual departure for this extremely talented sitar player because it blends Indian and Spanish music. But the mix of these 2 genres is less strange than you might think given that gypsy music grew out of Rajasthan. Most of the tracks are short ragas that are easily digestible to the Western ear and the flamenco hand-clapping, guitar and sitar all end up fitting well together. Nicely done, Anoushka!
This is the inspiring story of a Cambodian dancer who finds his way to the U.S. where he’s trained by one of the best ballet instructors in the country. It’s filmed in multiple locations including the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle (yay!) where he danced in the corps for a few years (he’s now a soloist at the Carolina Ballet). Watch this and you’ll realize nothing is impossible.
Merrell Barefoot Run Pace Glove
I’ve just started running in these and am solidly loving them. They feature Vibram soles, are lightweight, easy to pack and they aren’t over the top expensive. I’m new to Vibram but it seems to agree with me as I’m running faster and feel more energized. Read more…
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Upcoming Wanderlust and Lipstick Events
Beth on Women’s Travel Safety Tips  Beth speaks about PNG
REI, Alderwood Mall, WAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Savvy Traveler, Edmonds, WA
Beth on Women’s Travel Safety Tips  Beth speaks about Myanmar
REI, Alderwood Mall, WAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Savvy Traveler, Edmonds, WA
Beth on Women’s Travel Safety Tips  Beth speaks about PNG
REI, Bellingham, WAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wide World Books, Seattle, WA
Beth speaks about Myanmar
Wide World Books & Maps, Seattle, WA
See Beth’s calendar for details.
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Parting Words
From Adeline Ainsworth: “A trip is what you take when you can’t take any more of what you’ve been taking.”
Until next month,
Travel Well!
Beth
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