People have been asking Judie for years when she was going to write a book about her experiences as a travel journalist. Her answer was always the same, “when the time is right.” The time was finally right.

In LIFE IS A TRIP, Judie takes readers on l4 exotic adventures where she learns from other cultures new and transformative approaches to family discord, death, success, fear, faith, forgiveness and overcoming trauma. It is a mesmerizing read for all who love to travel whether they are sitting in armchairs or hitting the road. Judie’s wish is that it will inspire you to have the kinds of cultural adventures that can transform your own life - either across the world or across town from where you live.

REVIEWS: “From irreverence, reverence. That’s the magic of Judith Fein’s writing. Her unconventional view of the world and her grand sense of curiosity open doors to new adventures and understanding, allowing us to look deeply into the differences that keep the word fascinating and the similarities that keep us unified. “Life Is a Trip” is a journey of the heart, soul and mind, and we are much the better for it.”

- Catharine M. Hamm, Travel Editor, Los Angeles Times

Read what others have to say >>>

LET’S MAKE JUDIE’S BOOK A BESTSELLER!

Here are a few simple ways you can help make that happen.

1. Buy, or download, LIFE IS A TRIP right now at the YourLifeIsATrip.com TRIP SHOP powered by Amazon.
2. Share this with everyone you know and ask them to forward it on, as well. You can use the links below to print, e-mail or share this journal posting with your favorite online community.
3. Call your local bookseller and public or school library and request that they order a copy.

Together in 2009, Judie and I created YourLifeIsATrip.com as a place for writers to tell their stories about the transformational magic of travel. Now, with the release of LIFE IS A TRIP, Judie takes the dream one step further. I couldn’t be more excited!

I encourage you to visit us at YourLifeIsATrip.com, order and read the book and tell Judie what you think. You can post your comments on the website or send Judie your thoughts directly. 

With great enthusiasm,

Ellen

PS: Head’s up soon for my husband Hank’s newest action/adventure novel, VANISHED. Read the first chapter free, at HankBarone.com. 

For six-days in September, I will join a walk in New Mexico with The Wayfarers, the premier walking vacation company since 1984 and personal favorite. From September 12 - 17, 2010, we’ll be walking through some of the most inspiring landscapes on the planet during this magical walk through Georgia O’Keefe country. 

I’m breaking out the bubbly! Our sister site

Being a cockeyed optimist, I co-founded YourLifeIsATrip.com - together with travel journalist Judith Fein - in 2009 at the height of cutbacks, layoffs, bailouts, and belt-tightening, with the belief that there is no division between your travels, your life, your soul, your wellbeing, your relationships, your money, your work, your play. Different voices. Different subjects. All related by the common theme life as a trip.

Today, thanks to an assemblage of 65+ contributors, the site continues to experience rapid growth on the new reader and new subscriber fronts. What a treat it is to see the site and our writers acknowledged by our peers in this way!

One of the benefits of becoming a EllenBarone.com subscriber is complimentary access to the powerful storytelling at YourLifeIsATrip.com. So, you may already be familiar with the award-winning writing going on over there. But I invite you to take a closer look, browse, connect, read, comment, write, inspire, dream, entertain and join the fun as we travel through the trip of life together. We love hearing what you think so please leave comments- they make all the contributors smile. And if you enjoy YourLifeisaTrip.com, tell your friends! 

Visit us now at www.YourLifeIsATrip.com

For the past decade, passion alone has fueled this website. In place of business plans and growth stragegies, I’ve followed the joy of sharing. I love little more than posting my favorite travel experiences, budget-friendly steals + deals,  news from companies I believe in, and gear and gadgets that help me - and you - travel smarter, easier and more often. No SEO seminars. No IT team. No PR firm. No marketing department. Just ME, having a lot of fun and YOU reading what I have to say. 

So, imagine my pleasure this morning when on a whim I googled the words ‘travel advice vacation tips’ and discovered EllenBarone.com #2, sandwiched between two favorites - Away.com and Kayak.com - both HUGE players in the world of travel BTW. My smile spread when I noticed my hero, Condé Nast Traveler’s global blogger, Wendy Perrin, two entries down. AMAZING!

Thank you, Google, for making my day and getting my passion for travel ‘out there’! 

I’m more excited than ever to keep ‘playing’ with this beautiful invention, the Internet. 

See ya surfing soon,

Ellen

✓ Join the fun! Get the latest travel news, tips and reviews from EllenBarone.com and travel like a pro. Sign up here. It’s FREE. 

“What about an around-the-world cruise?” I find myself blurting out at 3AM.

“Uruguay sounds nice,” Hank says, nose buried in a South American guidebook over our morning cuppa.

“I wonder if the Four Seasons Bora Bora needs an in-house blogger,” I say, in full schemin’ and dreamin’ mode.

As 2009 unfolds into 2010, I wish you wonderful new experiences, fulfilling creative pursuits and more good than you can imagine!

I plan to begin the new year as I would any journey. To breathe in the fullness of life, observe with joy and greet the new with open arms.

Join me for the adventure!

Bon Voyage,

Ellen

Complete Travel Caravan Schedule

December 1: LuxuryCruiseBible.com
Lingo 16-Language Translator courtesy of Magellan’s Travel Supplies

See below:

MEN’S WOMEN’S SHOES SALE 5 Easy Tips For Returning Home With Great Vacation Photographs by Travel Photojournalist, Ellen Barone 1. Keep your camera handy Some of the best images happen when you least expect them, especially when traveling through interesting or unique terrain. 2. Get focused Ask yourself what about the scene attracts you? Is it the sun-drenched vistas of ancient olive groves and terraced vineyards? Or a riot of red geraniums pushing out from balcony window boxes? Exclude anything that doesn’t capture your attention. 3. Get out there Get up early, stay out late. If you’re with a group, rather than taking the van back hang around a bit. Use any spare time to look for photographs. The additional effort discovering the place will enrich your experience. 4. Don’t be shy If you approach people with an open heart, they’ll usually be happy to have their picture made. Joke around a little. Show genuine interest in their life. At the very least, learn how to say “hello” and “May I make a photograph” in the local language. Most of all, relax and enjoy the exchange. If you feel comfortable, so will they. 5. Compose creatively Remember to shoot from different positions. Get elevated, or low. Move in close. Move right or left for a different perspective. If you can without being intrusive, put yourself right in the midst of the swirling dancers, bagpipers,  white water rapids, café kitchen, etc. And, don’t forget to look behind you. Sometimes it’s the best shot! Visit Ellen’s web site for travel tips, podcasts and more. Order at www.exofficio.com or by Phone: (800) 644-7303 M-F 7am-5pm PST

You may remember that last May I went walking with The Wayfarers in Provence, France, and wrote about my experiences for their gorgeous new 2009 brochure. You can read the full article, here.

In September, I’ll be packing my bags (and cameras) again for France and another walking trip withThe Wayfarers, this time to the historic Dordogne region.

This beautiful area is known for its river and castles and although I’m not exactly going for the prehistoric caves and 15,000 year old rock art, I WILL BE going for the quaint villages, black truffles, wine & foie gras!

This isn’t a photo-themed tour, but I’ll be shooting plenty and happy to answer your questions while we walk and talk. The walks are not too challenging and we’ll visit artists, eat outside and have time to relax in lovely country house hotels.

Not sure? Read this New York Times front page article on The Dordogne.

Currency bonus $400 off per person – net cost $3,395. Airfares are down and the dollar is UP!

Think it over and let your friends know - this trip is not limited to females.

I hope to see you in FRANCE.

CLICK HERE or call (800) 249- 4620 for walk details.