Howdy, Wanderluster!
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more exciting with our tours, the King of Bhutan announces he’s getting married. In October. The same month that we’ll be trekking in Bhutan! Joslin, our superstar guide will be leading the fall tour to North India. I like to call this the OTHER Royal Wedding!
This is both great and potentially worrisome news as flights are selling out quickly. Interested in joining us? Do not delay in sending in your deposit to ensure the chance to be in-country during this exciting time. You can join me in the mountains like the ones pictured above!
Also, there are still a few spots left for the August Papua New Guinea tour while the Santa Fe culinary tour in September is about half full. Of course, don’t forget about the fall adventure to North India where the Taj Mahal and the Ghats of Varanasi await you!
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***Tours***
Bhutan, India, Papua New Guinea, Santa Fe and Vietnam & Cambodia!
Read Testimonials from previous participants. See tour videos and Beth’s NEW photo galleries of Bhutan, India, Vietnam & Cambodia, Santa Fe and Papua New Guinea.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MT. HAGEN TOUR (co-ed) – August 5 – 19, 2011
ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT! This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Mt. Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea. This inaugural trip to to PNG is being offered as the first WanderTour to the country and coincides with the Mt. Hagen singsing. It also includes a tour along the waterways of the fantastic Sepik River as well as snorkeling, diving and cultural experiences along the coastal village of Madang. (Psst – I have a single woman traveler interested in sharing…) See the full itinerary.
SANTA FE CULINARY TOUR (co-ed) September 15 – 18, 2011
Join me on this culinary extravaganza to one of my very favorite destinations in the U.S., Santa Fe. You’ll be treated to cooking classes and demonstrations, take guided walks, soak in mineral hot springs and learn about the area’s Native American history and culture. Suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. This tour is half full! 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 NEW PRICING!
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.
JUST ANNOUNCED! SOUTH INDIA TOUR INCLUDING PASSPORTS VILLAGE!
(women-only) January 25 – February 11, 2012
This 18-day women-only tour focuses on South India’s highlights including spectacular temples, tea and spice plantations, pristine beaches, the waterways of Kerala AND a trip to the Passports with Purpose Village! Take a yoga class, overnight on a houseboat, learn the secrets of South Indian cuisine in a cooking demonstration and experience the music, culture and food for which South India is famous.
JUST ANNOUNCED! VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TOUR (women-only) March 8 – 24, 2012
Back by popular demand is the Vietnam and Cambodia cultural tour with a few new stops! The 2012 tour includes a visit to Phnom Penh, a ride down the Mekong River from Cambodia to Vietnam, a visit to the Sapa region of North Vietnam AND an overnight on a houseboat in Ha Long Bay. You’re gonna love this tour! See the full itinerary.
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Wander Recommendations
(Purchase directly through this Newsletter and you help support Wanderlust and Lipstick!)
On the Bookshelf
Almost French by Sarah Turnbull
Though I read this book years ago, it remains one of my very favorite travel memoirs. With summer upon us and many people flocking to Europe (and Paris, specifically), I thought it would be a good time to pull this off the bookshelf and give it a shout out. This chronicles the adventures of the author as she follows her boyfriend to Paris where she lives as an expat. She not only tries to find her way around the city but also attempts to understand its residents through her boyfriend’s friends and acquaintances. This book is observant and funny, and you can’t help but empathize with her as she struggles as an outsider. Available on Amazon
In the iPod
Travelling Without Moving by Jamiroquai
I first heard this band live at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo last December. I was surprised they hadn’t been on my radar long before then since this British soul and funk group has been around for ages. I’m just happy to have discovered them now and am loving their upbeat, original style. Despite the lead singer being white, he’s funky to the core without sounding contrived. Available on Amazon
In the DVD Player
Breaking the Waves
This is a heart-wrenching love story between two people from very different worlds and takes place on the rugged Scottish coast (beautiful scenery!). It includes a marriage that the locals don’t understand, a rough-necked oil rig worker and a woman who talks to God on a regular basis. All this makes for a unique plot line and a tragic ending. Available on Amazon
WanderGear Review
Keen La Paz Sandals
Summer’s (almost) here! Add these Keen La Paz Sandals to your warm weather gear. I’ve managed to break them out a couple of times this year already on trips to Mexico and Santa Fe (they’re still waiting for regular use in Seattle). They’ve held up fabulously, look stunning (especially in purple!) and the padded foot bed means you can wear them all day without aching feet. Read more…
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** New June Subscribers **
Win a Lilypond Daybreak Shoulder Bag!
All new newsletter subscribers during the month of June AND all new RSS feed subscribers (add your email to this page) will be entered to win a Lilypond Daybreak Shoulder Bag. You’ll have two chances to win this month! Value is $40!
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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Congratulations to Vani for being the winner of our May subscriber contest! Vani is a new RSS subscriber, having signed up for my blog’s RSS feed, and will receive a SteriPEN Traveler. Yeah for Vani!
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New WanderBlogger!
Nancy at WanderBoomer
Seattle-based Nancy Mueller is a freelance travel writer whose travel articles have appeared in Hemispheres Magazine and on-line at Uptake, GoNomad and Wanderlust and Lipstick. Nancy is the author of Work Worldwide: International Career Strategies for the Adventurous Job Seeker, described as a “nuts-and-bolts excellent” guide for finding your dream assignment abroad. Her class, “Travel Writing for Fun and Profit” has been a popular program for several years.
When this WanderBoomer isn’t off traveling or writing about it, she helps global executives polish their personal brand through business manners and communications skills on her website.
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I’m not sure there’s a better way to usher in summer than with a fresh bowl of guacamole and chips. Stephanie’s recipe includes a little onion as well as jalapeno peppers (ingredients I wouldn’t have thought of adding) that give it an added kick.
You can find this and other tasty treats on Stefanie’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.
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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Upcoming Wanderlust and Lipstick Events
June 8Â 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 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â September 8
Diva Night at REIÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Essential Tips for Travelers
REI – Tacoma, WA Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â REI – Santa Rosa, CA
September 6Â 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 October 5
Essential Tips for Travelers     Travel Safety Tips for Women
REI – Saratoga, CAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â REI – Issaquah, WA
September 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â September 11 – 12
Essential Tips for Travelers     The Travel Blogger Show
REI – Berkeley, CAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Details TBD
REI events sponsored by XShot
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Wanderlust in the News
In case you missed these mentions, interviews and reviews:
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Till next month…
Travel Well!
Beth
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