Happy New Year, Wanderluster!
I hope that your holidays were magical and that you are looking forward to a year of peace, travel and adventure (whatever “adventure” means to you!). I’ve vowed to Be Bold and make this year EPIC. Won’t you join me in that commitment?
SURVEY TIME!
This month, we’re asking you to take our survey so we can find out what you’d like more (and less) of in this newsletter and on the website. Please take a few moments to fill this out. If ya do, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card to Amazon.
TRAVELS
I’m off to Salt Lake City this month for the Outdoor Retailer Show where I’ll be sourcing new gear for WanderGear Wednesday. Want to learn about the latest travel products? Subscribe to my blog here via email.
CONTEST
Behind the scenes, we’re now reading through and judging the entries from our 6th annual WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest! Winners will be announced in early February.Â
Sponsored by Expedia, the grand prize is a six-night  stay at the Westin in Playa Conchal in Costa Rica (approximate value $4,080)! Four Category Winners will each receive a TORQ carry-on bag from Briggs & Riley (value $479).
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***WanderTours***
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**December Photo Contest Winner**
Congratulations to our December Travel Photo Contest winner, Daniel D. He submitted this image of Christmas lights at the Grote Markt in Brussels and will receive a Camera I-O and Brain Bag from Tom Bihn. Yay for Daniel!Â
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**January Photo Contest**
Hey budding photographers! Why not join our monthly photo contest? It’s easy to enter…
Simply submit a photo that fits with this month’s theme –
January is Girlfriend Getaways. Share your favorite photos of you and your girlfriend (s) while on an adventure!
We’ll post them on the Travel Photo Contest blog and you’ll have a chance to win a Reisenthel Bag. See full details here.
Congratulations to Kevin H. a new newsletter subscriber fom Portland, Maine, for winning our December New Subscriber Contest.Â
He won a Snow Wonder Vest from Royal Robbins.
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**January Giveaway**
This month we’re giving away an Eagle Creek 2-in-1 tote / backpack.
Two ways to win! Subscribe to:
1)Â the Wanderlust and Lipstick Newsletter
2) Wanderluster’s RSS FeedÂ
Sign up for both and you get two chances to win! See details here.
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**New Wanderblogger**
Trupti Devdas Nayak – TrailBoundÂ
Trupti is a travel writer and photographer who is passionate about everything outdoors, whether it’s road trips, hiking, camping or just relaxing amidst nature. Trupti has trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, hiked into the depths of the Amazon rainforest, backpacked the Havasupai trail in the Grand Canyon, and explored 30+ National Parks around the world and counting. It is true what John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks,” so come join Trupti as she explores new trails, seeks higher mountains, and writes about her adventures at TrailBound.
On the Bookshelf
Wind, Sand and StarsÂ
by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This is such a lovely tale about flight from the author of The Little Prince. This was first published in 1939 and follows the true adventures of the author as he worked for the French airmail carrier, Aéropostale. He weaves poetic tales about his travels across the African Sahara and South America’s Andes, all while pondering the meaning of life.
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In the iPod
Sonos Music System
As such a huge music fan, it’s a wonder why I haven’t had a Sonos system until now. Santa dropped one under the tree this year and now I’m the biggest fan – and believe that everyone should have one, too. This music system is controlled from your smartphone and can play your iTunes playlist, Pandora, radio stations from around the world and much more.
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In the DVD
Into the Tsangpo GorgeÂ
I love watching people do epic things that I’d never attempt myself. Into the Tsangpo Gorge is the story of a group kayaking down the deepest gorge in the world located in Tibet. The imagery is beautiful and the trip hair-raising though I have to admit the movie production itself is only so-so. Still worth renting on Amazon for sure.
WanderGear Review
Icebreaker Viento Jacket
This is one of, if not THE most, stylish water-resistant jacket I own. I also expect it to last for years as it’s really well made. Read why I think so…
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Wanderlust in the News
In case you missed these stories for which I was interviewed:
– Real Simple – Holiday Travel Essentials Checklist
– Conde Naste Traveler – Women-only Hotel Floors
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Parting Words
“To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. ” ~ Freya Stark
Til next month…
Travel Well!
Beth
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