Happy Spring, Wanderluster!
I’m delighted to be home and enjoying a spectacular spring in Seattle. We’ve got sunny skies and crisp weather with enough rain to keep the flowers watered.
But I’m home just long enough to swap out my Bhutan bag this month for Haiti (and Miami) and then Kauai and Toronto. June brings both the Santa Fe and Seattle Culinary Tours (and maybe a trip to New Orleans to research a culinary tour there). Can’t wait! Speaking of tours…
Book any of our international group tours with one or more friends or family members on or before May 15, 2013 and you’ll each save 5% on the land portion of your trip. See details here.
PHOTO CONTEST – Last month, we started a travel photo contest where you can enter your photo(s) and win a prize. This month’s theme is Mexico and our sponsor is XShot! (April winner announced on the blog soon.)
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***WanderTours***
See our new videos: WanderTours and the Santa Fe Culinary Tour
All WanderTour participants in 2013 will receive a free Donner Bag from Overland Equipment!
SANTA FE CULINARY TOUR (women-only)
June 5 – 9, 2013 SOLD OUT! CONTACT US TO GET ON THE 2014 WAITLIST.
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 1/2 FULL!
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 ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR TOURS!
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.
MYANMAR (BURMA) CULTURE AND PAGODA TOUR (women-only)
November 1 – 13, 2013 SURE TO SELL OUT!
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.
SOUTH INDIA CULTURE AND TEMPLE TOUR (women-only)
February 2 – February 17, 2014 JUST ANNOUNCED!
Journey through South India’s spectacular temples, tea and spice plantations, pristine beaches and the waterways of Kerala. Take a yoga class, overnight on a houseboat, learn the secrets of South Indian cuisine in two cooking demonstrations and experience the music, culture and food for which South India is famous. See the full itinerary.
VIETNAM with CAMBODIA add-on (women-only)
March 23 – April 5, 2014 JUST ANNOUNCED!
Take a batik-making class taught by a Hmong woman, sample street food in Hanoi, overnight on a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay, and explore Saigon on the back of a Vespa scooter! You can then add on a 5-day trip to Cambodia to visit awe-inspiring Angkor Wat along with other remarkable temples near Siem Reap, learn about Cambodian culture and history, and take a Khmer-food cooking class. You’ll see it all! See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
April 5 – 16, 2014 JUST ANNOUNCED!
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.
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***New Photo Contest***
Join our monthly photo contest sponsored by XShot. It’s easy to enter. Submit a photo that fits with this month’s theme (May is Mexico), we’ll post it on the WaL site and you’ll have the chance to win a camera extender, iPhone case and bag from XShot. See details here.
Wander Recommendations
On the Bookshelf
Peking to Paris by Dina Bennett
Loved this very funny book by Dina Bennett about her (reluctant) travels with the hubby on the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. Dina, who struggles with car-sickness, is the guide and sidekick to her husband, whose desire it is to complete this (nearly) 8,000 mile journey from China to Europe. Well written. Well driven.
In the iPod
Jumbie in the Jukebox by Kobo Town
This is a wonderful blend of Caribbean calypso with reggae and Manu Chau overtones. All from a Canadian (OK Canadian-Trinidadian musician). Jumbies, in case you’re wondering, are spirits (both good and bad ones), and this CD is full of good spirit. Upbeat, fun, funky.
In the DVD
The Impossible
Definitely a disaster movie but not of the sci-fi sort. This is based on a true story and takes place in Southern Thailand, where the tsunami hit in late 2004. It’s the pretty horrific (and miraculous) story of one family on vacation when the tsunami hits. The plot is thin but you can’t help but be affected by the enormity of this natural disaster.
WanderGear Review
Nau Lightbeam Jacket for Women
This lightweight wind and water-resistant jacket can be worn on warmer spring days with just a light shirt underneath but can also be worn over a fleece during colder weather… Read more…
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In the News
In case you missed this:
Seattle Times – Traveler Disconnects, Kicks Up Fuss (interview)
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Upcoming Wanderlust and Lipstick Events
June 1, 2013
Beth speaks about hiring practices for bloggers
TBEX Toronto
See Beth’s calendar for details.
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Parting Words
by Maya Angelou: “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
Until next month,
Travel Well!
Beth
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