Hello, Wanderluster!
It’s Valentine’s Day month and as I heard someone recently say, either celebrate with your loved one or celebrate your freedom. If you’re celebrating your freedom with travel, take a moment to read my post about Solo Safety Issues.
This month, we’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Overland Equipment. Every WanderTour group participant in 2013 will receive a Donner Bag from OE. Is that not awesome? Why not join today? Here are the deets.
And if you’re interested in another freebie (and who doesn’t love ’em?), subscribe to my RSS feed via email and you’ll be entered to win a CamelBak Groove Water Filter.
In tour news… book our North India Cultural Tour on or before February 15 and receive the coffee table book, Wisdom: 365 Thoughts from Indian Masters!
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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 LAST CALL!
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 2 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 1/3 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.
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.
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February Contest
Win a CamelBak water filtration system!
Don’t buy another bottled water while you’re traveling. Instead, use the CamelBak water filtration system to purify tap water!
All new RSS subscribers (add your email to this page) and new newsletter subscribers during the month of February will be entered to win a CamelBak water filtration system. Here are the full details.
Increase your karma – forward this email to your friends so that they, too, will have a chance to win this month’s awesome giveaway.
(We never share email addresses with third parties. Promise.)
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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
1000 Ultimate Experiences from Lonely Planet
Santa dropped this book off under the tree this year and it’s been a wonderful winter distraction. Rather than a guide book, this is a goal book with chapters such as “Best Place to Have Your Midlife Crisis” and “Classic Campervan Routes.” There are way too many ideas to even think you could get to them all but when you’re headed off to a destination, it’ll help you uncover some interesting finds.
In the iPod
Sauvez les Meubles by Presque Oui
Given it’s the month of love, I figured a French group would be appropriate. This CD? I amore it. I discovered Presque Oui because they were featured in a compilation of Parisian music. These folks were my fave of all on that disc. They’re a Paris duo with fast lyrics and bouncy tunes, a la Paris Combo. You many not understand the words (I don’t speak French) but you’ll still enjoy the music.
Favorite Gear Video
Here’s a video shout out to some of my favorite travel products including the XShot camera extender, a digital reader and my super sly secret theft preventer. 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 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 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 Agnes E. Benedict and Adele Franklin: “Trips do not end when you return home – usually this is the time when in a sense they really begin.“
Until next month,
Travel Well!
Beth
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