Tired of conjugating verbs in the classroom? Now there’s a new way for adventurous travelers to improve their language skills. Llama Expeditions, a company dedicated to adventure/philanthropic/educational tours of Peru, has teamed up with Enjoy Spanish, the 5-star-rated Spanish school in San Francisco, to offer an exciting Spanish immersion adventure tour in Peru on August 28, 2011.
Enjoy Spanish founder Carlos Bazan, a Peruvian native, along with bilingual professional guides, will lead adventurer-learners on a cultural and linguistic experience. “Carlos is amazing at facilitating conversations. Speaking is often the most intimidating part of learning a second language. But, Carlos creates a safe environment that gets people talking,” says Diane Valenti, founder of Llama Expeditions.
The tour varies from many other trips in that participants not only learn about the local culture, but will also be providing assistance to local communities with the donation of food and support to remote businesses.
“Bringing food and supporting these underdeveloped communities helps to support and grow businesses in Peru,” says Valenti. “Besides education and the adventure to visit these remote locales, the local business people are extremely grateful for what our groups bring and do for these struggling economies.”
The 9-day, $3500 tour is limited to 10 participants to ensure adequate speaking opportunities for everyone and will include stops at popular destinations such as Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
To learn more, visit:
http://www.llamaexpeditions.com/exploration/enjoy-spanish/overview.
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".
YES YOU CAN leave the guilt, kids, spouse, BFF, or significant other behind and set off solo for your next vacation. Increasing numbers of savvy travelers are doing just that and returning home the better for it.
Single or not, male or female, on a budget or ready to splurge, looking to learn or seeking solitude, traveling on your own is so much easier when you take out the guesswork.
To help get you started, here’s a selection of best bets for solo-friendly travel.
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".
World Nomad’s 2011 Travel Writing Scholarship Contest Takes Winner On a 22-Day Work and Play Assignment in Turkey !
Rough Guides and active travel company BikeHike Adventures is accepting applications from aspiring travel writers to enter an essay contest themed around travel. The winning entrant can kick start their travel writing career by going on an assignment with a Rough Guides author to Istanbul, Turkey.
Candidates, 18 and older, can be journalism students, emerging and non-professional writers or even lovers of travel looking for a career change. Applications will be accepted until the March 28, 2011 deadline.
One person will be selected to travel, all-expenses paid, to Istanbul to work with Terry Richardson, author of The Rough Guide to Istanbul, as he researches a new edition of his book.
Prior to meeting and working with Terry, the winner will enjoy total immersion into Turkish culture. BikeHike Adventures will provide a delicious buffet of multi-sport activities on their 12-Day Turkish Delight tour highlighting most of Turkey’s iconic gems. The trip includes exploring the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia by mountain bike, foot and horseback, strolling through Istanbul visiting the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and Palace and sea kayaking on the Mediterranean past ancient ruins.
For complete details and easy online entry please visit WorldNomads.com. Travel will take place from June 7 to June 28, 2011.
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".
‘Walking Wild’ in Laikipia Masaai-land is a walking safari experience through some of Kenya’s best wildlife-viewing habitats, and some of the most stunning landscapes in Africa.
A wide variety of game including the “Big Five”, over 420 species of birds, Reticulated Giraffe, Cheetah, numerous different antelopes, and endangered species such as the Grevy’s Zebra and Sitatunga, may be seen.
Professional guides lead the 3 to 6-day Walking Wild safaris starting on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, recognized as one of Africa’s top safari destinations.Walking Wild treks across Lewa to Il Ngwesi and Lekurruki depending on the number of days, with all nights spent camping out under the stars.
The focus of the safari is learning about the ecosystems as well as the local Masaai culture. Guests will be shown tracking techniques and other vital bush skills, as well as how to identify and understand the behavior of the insects, plants, and animals they come across. Laikipiak Masai will join the guests to give insight into Masaai customs.
Learn more at www.bush-and-beyond.com
Source: Adventure Media, LLC
photo courtesy of Bush and Beyond.
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".
Travel and photography are natural partners and whether you’re carrying a sophisticated DSLR, a pocket-sized point-and-shoot or an iPhone, today’s technology has made it easier than ever to look, snap, and share.
But seldom does a photograph succeed because of technology. It succeeds for one reason: because the person behind the camera took the time to see. If you’re like most travelers, you want to bring back memorable photographs of your trips. Yet how many of us are packing everything but time to see into our vacations?
On a recent business trip to Scotland I discovered a one-day photography workshop on the Isle of Mull, an island off the country’s west coast boasting some of the finest and most varied scenery in the Inner Hebrides. Traveling solo and without a car, the opportunity to visually explore with a local photographer sounded like the perfect compliment to a week of indoor meetings.
Who knew it would be pouring and blowing a gale on the one day I had available for the excursion. But despite the conditions, photographer Sam Jones of Islandscape Photography met me, and two other intrepid travelers enrolled in the workshop, at the ferry, prepared to either tough it out in the rain or shuttle us to the local distillery for a tasting tour.
Read my full story on photographing Scotland at National Geographic Traveler…
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".
Travel Photography Scholarship - Bhutan
WorldNomads.com is giving one exceptional individual the chance to travel with National Geographic on-assignment photographer Jason Edwards to The Kingdom of Bhutan - Land of the Thunderdragon. Apply and the winner could be you!
photo by Wonderlane via flickr (common license)
Without a doubt, mentors have played an inspiring role in my life, helping me build the skills necessary to transform passion to profession. So it is with great enthusiasm that I share this amazing Travel Scholarship program from our travel insurance partners at WorldNomads.com that gives passionate individuals the opportunity to further their skills through professional in-the-field mentorship. There’s no better way to move forward than learning on the job from some of the best in the biz.
Apply by October 17, 2010 and you’ll qualify for the chance to travel with National Geographic on-assignment photographer Jason Edwards to The Kingdom of Bhutan - Land of the Thunderdragon! It’s that easy.
Plus, the lucky scholarship recipient will also win AU$2000 worth of Pentax photographic equipment. NICE!
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".