Recession or not, experiential travel continues to thrive because the true rewards of travel are intangible: discovering a new destination at its most intimate and authentic, expanding your view of the world, and returning with memories that last a lifetime.
If time is your ultimate luxury, I recommend you check out these four new itineraries for fall 2010 from Abercrombie & Kent.
1. Thailand in Depth (November 17-29, 2010)
An introduction to the rich history and culture of Thailand with value-pricing at some of the world’s finest hotels. Participate in the celebration of the Loy Krathong Festival in Sukhothai where the festival originated. Venture off the beaten path to Lampang in a traditional horse carriage. Be blessed by monks in remote Mae Hong Son. Visit the hill tribes in the Golden Triangle and learn about their distinct cultures. Paint with elephants in Chiang Mai and relax at the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, one of Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best.” Thirteen days from $4,885.
2. Magnificent Asia (November 6-18, 2010)
Illuminate your understanding of the cultures of Southeast Asia, from Thailand and Laos to Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Participate in an alms offering in Bangkok. Enjoy a private baci (welcome) ceremony in Luang Prabang. Learn about Vietnamese art from Suzanne Lecht at her private gallery in Hanoi. Bike along peaceful roads, passing small villages en route to Preah Khan. Learn about Khmer history from an expert before visiting Angkor Wat. Explore the pagodas, temples and stupas that dot the plains surrounding Bagan. See how sustainable tourism is making a difference by supporting Sam’s Brothers Clean Water Project. Thirteen days from $7,995.
3. Discover Australia (September 4-14, 2010)
A carefully-planned introduction to this diverse continent at an exceptional price. Explore Melbourne’s hidden corners on a walking tour led by a local historian. Enjoy lunch at the renowned TarraWarra Winery. Get a close-up view of some of Australia’s indigenous wildlife at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. Cruise along the Great Barrier Reef to Agincourt Reef, which offers some of the best snorkelling in the world. Privately tour the Sydney Opera House. Eleven days from $4,995.
4. Australia: Land of Contrasts (October 16-30, 2010)
Combine cosmopolitan Melbourne and Sydney with the remote Australian Outback, Ayer’s Rock (Uluru) and the Great Barrier Reef. Learn the workings of a private sheep station established nearly 100 years ago. Observe the extraordinary wildlife on Kangaroo Island. Dine and sleep under the stars at a desert camp with views of Uluru. Cruise on a high-speed catamaran to the ribbon reefs on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, some of the most pristine eco-systems in the world. Go behind the scenes for a private tour of Sydney Opera House. Accommodations include Longitude 131°, a Conde Nast Traveler Gold List and Travel + Leisure World’s Best winner, and Southern Ocean Lodge, with spectacular ocean, beach and wilderness views. Fifteen days from $11,295.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Van-Tastic Adventures: Drive it! Film it! Win it!
Are you a mad keen traveller with a lust for filming your adventures?
Enter the WorldNomads.com Van-Tastic Adventure for the chance to fly to Australia and film the ultimate Aussie road trip to win $AUD 10,000.
WorldNomads.com is looking ‘Van-Tastic Adventurers’ to travel across Australia on a 6 week road trip of a lifetime.
You’ll be flown to Australia to explore your favourite piece of the country in a fully loaded camper van, with fuel money, an action packed itinerary and all the gear you’ll need to share your adventure through videos, stories and photos.
You can choose where you want to go, what you want to do and, with heaps of adventurous activities thrown in for free, you’ll have lots of stories to make a mini video documentary of your adventure. The team with the most popular video will win $10,000 cash and flights from Virgin Blue.
Apply now and start preparing a 2 minute or less video of why you are the most Van-Tastic.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".