Happy New Year, Wanderluster!
May 2011 bring many new travels and adventures into your life! And, please share your stories and photos this year by becoming a Facebook Fan of Wanderlust and Lipstick!
No settling in for me… I will be traveling this month to India with a group of women on the South India Cultural Tour. We are all looking forward to warm weather, incredible food and soaking up all that India has to offer!
If warm weather is what YOU need… this is last call for the Vietnam & Cambodia women-only tour in February. Enjoy authentic pho, experience a homestay with a tribal family in northern Vietnam and marvel at Angkor Wat!
Lastly, the 3rd Annual WanderWomen Write Travel Writing Contest is now closed with nearly 400 entries in this year’s contest! We’ll be announcing the Grand Prize winner (who will receive a tour for two through Vietnam & Cambodia with Buffalo Tours) and the category winners (who will receive Briggs & Riley Explore 22″ Upright carry-on bags) in mid-February.
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***Tours***
Bhutan, India, Vietnam & Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea!
Read Testimonials from previous participants.
See videos of Bhutan and Beth’s photo gallery of Bhutan, India, Vietnam & Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.
VIETNAM & CAMBODIA (women-only) – Feb. 10 – 28, 2011
This 17-day journey explores the highlights of these two southeast Asian countries. Trek the Mai Chau region of northern Vietnam, visit ethnic minority villages, take a cooking class in Hanoi and experience the bustling city of Saigon before soaking up the Mekong Delta by boat. Then, head off to Cambodia, where you’ll revel in the wonders of Angkor Wat and explore the small city of Siem Reap. See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN SACRED SITES TOUR (women-only) – April 19 – 30, 2011
Join tour leader Susan Weis for this 12-day tour of Bhutan that incorporates yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic workshops! Enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas on this unique journey that also includes the cultural highlights found on other Wanderlust and Lipstick Bhutan tours such as light trekking, festivals, a hike to Tiger’s Nest and a lecture on Buddhism by a renowned Bhutanese scholar. See the full itinerary.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MT. HAGEN TOUR (co-ed) – August 5 – 19, 2011
2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Mt. Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea. This “friends and family” tour is the first of (hopefully) many to PNG with Wanderlust and Lipstick. As the inaugural trip, it will be offered at a reduced cost to a select few as we test the waters together on this first adventure. Includes the Mt. Hagen singsing, a tour along the waterways of the fantastic Sepik River as well as snorkeling, diving and cultural experiences along the coastal village of Madang. See the full itinerary.
VIETNAM TRANSFORMATION TOUR WITH AINSLIE MACLEOD (co-ed)
September 14 – 24, 2011
This 11-day tour is more than a travel experience through Vietnam. This is a transformational journey with renowned spiritual guide, Ainslie MacLeod. In addition to touring some of the most popular sights in Saigon, Danang and Hanoi, participants will be led through intensive daily workshops with Ainslie. See the full itinerary.
BHUTAN LAYA TREK (co-ed) October 11 – 22, 2011
Experience hiking through Bhutan’s Laya region, where the hospitable Layap people live, on this 12-day tour. This trek takes you over high mountain passes (16,100′) and into the wilderness above the tree line – a world of snow peaks, glacial lakes, herds of blue sheep and alpine blossoms. The group will enjoy the pristine mountain air, the therapeutic hot springs of Gasa and visits to temples including Tiger’s Nest. See the full itinerary.
NORTH INDIA CULTURAL TOUR (women-only)
October 25 – November 9, 2011
This 16-day women-only tour focuses on North India’s highlights including the Taj Mahal, the erotic temples of Khajuraho, the ghats of Varanasi, fantastic Diwali celebrations and a tour of the ancient temple complex at Bateshwar (during their historic animal fair)! You’ll take a cooking class, enjoy a private music and dance performance with internationally-renowned artists and have your fill of exquisite Indian food. See the full itinerary.
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WanderGear from CafePress!
For the cold winter months, you can carry your coffee or tea in this reusable ceramic biker chick travel mug. These are available on Cafe Press along with many other Wanderlust and Lipstick items!
Wanderlusters across the country have been ordering products from the Wanderlust and Lipstick shop at Cafe Press! Be an insider and join others by treating yourself to a fun and funky Wanderlust shirt, messenger bag or coffee mug.
Go on, be a Wanderluster!
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Wander Recommendations
(Purchase directly through this Newsletter and you help support Wanderlust and Lipstick!)
On the Bookshelf
Moveable Feast edited by Don George
This compilation of stories is themed around both travel and food. Given my interest in both activities, I enjoyed this read, edited by Lonely Planet’s Don George. It includes stories from recognizable names in the travel writing world including Pico Iyer, Tim Cahill, Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern, as well lesser-known writers. With such a wide variety of contributors, the quality varies, but overall this is a better value than an expensive meal out. Available on Amazon
In the iPod
Basement Bhangra by DJ Rekha
Bollywood meets hip-hop in this mix from female DJ, Rekha. This, her debut CD, was borne from the Basement Bhangra dance parties that take place in New York every first Thursday of the month at Sounds of Brazil (S.O.B.’s). This is highly energized and full of electronica and heavy drumming. There’s no rest for the weary on this one! Available on Amazon
In the DVD Player
Burma VJ
This documentary is a fascinating look at what precipitated the 2007 protests in Burma that was led by tens of thousands of Buddhist monks. It was documented by journalists (at great peril) and shows just how brutal the country’s regime is and how threatened they are by ordinary citizens as well as monks. It’s devastating, but it’s also motivating in terms of encouraging one to learn more about this tiny repressed country. Available on Amazon
WanderGear Review
PacSafe VentureSafe 400 Laptop Bag
This laptop bag from PacSafe features a padded laptop sleeve (for a 13″ or smaller computer) as well as a enough pockets for you to stow away your cell phone, digital camera, biz cards, pens, paperwork and most anything else you might need for your travels! Read more…
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** New January Subscribers **
Win a VentureSafe 400 from PacSafe!
All new newsletter subscribers during the month of January to this newsletter will be entered in a drawing to win a VentureSafe 400 laptop bag from PacSafe. Value is $100!
Increase your karma – tell your friends so that they, too, will have a chance to win this month’s awesome giveaway. (Names are never shared, by the way.)
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** December Subscriber Winner! **
Congratulations to G.I. for being the winner of our December subscriber contest! G.I. is a new newsletter subscriber and will receive a Healthy Back Backpack from Ameribag (left) as well as a shoulder bag from UbU. All that for being a new newsletter subscriber! Yeah for G.I!
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New WanderBlogger!
Bamboo Boulevard
Rhonda is a freelance writer and photographer currently living in Taiwan. When she’s not teaching ESL, working on her next story idea, or trying to avoid being mauled by street dogs, you can find her blogging at Bamboo Boulevard. Join her adventures as she learns the ins and outs of life as an expat in this foreign world.
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Food Freeway
Having grown up on enchiladas, I was thrilled to see Stephanie add this recipe to her blog. These are Authentically Mexican Enchiladas Verdes. Green chili peppers? Check. Cheese? Check. Sour cream? Check. All the goodness you need to keep warm this winter!
You can find this and other tasty treatson Stephanie’s Food Freeway.
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Profess Your Wanderlust-ness!
Got a blog or a website? Profess your Wanderlust Love by downloading a Wanderlust and Lipstick badge, placing it on your site and linking back to WaL! Let your readers know you’re proud to be part of a growing community of Wanderlusters!
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Got Wanderlust?
Need something to inspire your travel dreams?
The 2nd edition of Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo is the definitive resource for all women travelers. Packed with anecdotes, expert advice and tips from more than 45 women travelers, it’s sure to have you packing your bags before you have time to check your bank account. Don’t wait another moment to pick up a signed copy of every WanderGal’s favorite book.
Buy Now!
Wanderlust and Lipstick: Traveling with Kids is the practical guide for traveling with children. Learn how to turn possible roadblocks into opportunities for stretching your family’s travel wings.
Written by Michelle Duffy (WanderMom) and Leslie Forsberg, highlights include tips on saving money, packing, booking your flights, product recommendations from strollers to baby slings and much more. Buy now!
India is a magical destination that awaits you. Discover the joys and challenges of the subcontinent in Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India and start planning the journey you’ve been dreaming about. In addition to Beth’s own advice and guidance, this book incorporates stories and tips from dozens of women who’ve made the journey to the country themselves. Buy Now!
Don’t even THINK about going to India without it. Seriously!
All books are guaranteed to INSPIRE!
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Wanderlust in the News
In case you missed these mentions, interviews and reviews:
- MSNBC Travel – Globetrotters Share Favorite Destinations
- Mint.com – Foodies on the Road
- AOL Travel – Tribal Tourism – Ethical or Exploitative?
- Matador Network – What’s in Your Backpack Beth Whitman?
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Connect with Beth
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