Follow your passions and expand your relationship with photography - Join Santa Fe Photographic Workshops.
Looking for your next adventure, or simply a fun week exploring your love of photography? Join Santa Fe Photographic Workshops for a workshop experience in historic Santa Fe, New Mexico, and change the way you see the world.
Or, sign up for one of their on-the-road workshops and tours in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Tuscany, and Provence, Ireland, Australia, Morocco, Thailand, Tanzania, Big Sur, and the coast of Maine.
Uproot yourself from the ordinary routines and obligations of home and catapult yourself into a world of new challenges, insights and inspirations. With self-expression as a key component of all their offerings; move your creative side to center stage.
Do something for yourself this year and…
- Stimulate your creativity.
- Invigorate your passion.
- Expand your skills.
- Discover new ways of looking at photography as an expressive medium.
- Find your voice through creating images.
- Learn to use the latest digital imaging technology.
For more information call 505-983-1400 or visit www.santafeworkshops.com.
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".
Meet The Women & Children of South Africa With This Unique Mother’s Day Tour
The Cultural Explorer, a US-based tour operator specialising in cultural and philanthropic travel in South Africa, has announced an exclusive tour “designed to introduce adventurous North American mothers and daughters to the resilient women and children of South Africa.”
The trip, billed as a “celebration of women”, offers an ideal opportunity for mothers and daughters “to spend quality time together while improving the lives of others, seeing spectacular sights, even going out on safari.”
According to Cultural Explorer, travellers will visit innovative organizations that work to improve the education and work skills of disadvantaged women in South Africa, meeting several women along the way who have “made a real difference in their communities”.
Guests will experience gourmet and traditional foods and stay in charming locally owned hotels and B&Bs. They will also visit an exclusive game reserve dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the wildlife and communities around it.
The trip, running from 3 to 17 May (taking in Mother’s Day on 11 May) and from 7 to 21 June, “will change perspectives and lives”.
Tour itinerary
Cultural Explorer travellers will start in Johannesburg, staying at a chic, woman-friendly boutique hotel with an organic cafe and a huge fitness centre right next door.While in Johannesburg, the group will visit the vibrant townships of Soweto and Alexandra, meeting and sharing experiences with some special township women, and shopping at stores that promote the arts and crafts of disadvantaged women. The city tour will take in the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and downtown Joburg.
Then it is off to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, where travellers will stay at a charming resort hotel with magnificant mountain views, a swimming pool and easy access to a variety of walking trails.
While in the Drakensberg, travellers will visit Didima Valley to learn about the San, or Bushmen - the first inhabitants of the area - and view some of their ancient cave and rock paintings.
The highlight, however, will be a get-together with Miss Lillian and her family in a small Zulu village where they survive and thrive with no electricity.
Next up is a quick stop in the coastal city of Durban, staying at an elegant hotel off bustling Florida Street. Then it is off on safari - with a leisurely drive north to a luxury, eco-friendly game reserve where the group will spend two full days observing African wildlife.
During the day travellers will search for cheetahs, lions, elephants, rhinos and giraffes, while at night safari they can enjoy a massage on their private deck listening to the sounds of Africa, or a sundowner with the other guests.
Next is South Africa’s up-market Garden Route, where travellers will stay in the local’s favourite resort town of Knysna, while checking out small coastal towns such as Wilderness and Plettenberg Bay.
Guests will meet Selina, an inspiring Sangoma (traditional healer) who lives in a township above Knysna where she “proves that one woman really can make a difference.”
From there the group will take the picturesque drive to Cape Town, stopping in one of the oldest towns in South Africa, Swellendam, for lunch. In Cape Town they will stay at a traditional hotel along the Atlantic seaboard. Here the guests will meet women from the townships, an Afrikaans mother and daughter, and women entrepreneurs.
They will take excursions to Cape Point and Simon’s Town - to see the jackass penguins - and of course, Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for more than 20 years.
“All long the way, Cultural Explorer travellers will have plenty of time to get massages, take walks or workout, relax on the beach, tour interesting galleries and shops, and discover unique gifts to take home.”
Costs and contacts
This trip is for women only, and for ages 15 and above, as travellers will witness and discuss the impact of Aids on families and communities.The trip costs $4 599 per person, including: all hotels, all group ground transportation including airport transfers, all entrance fees, all safari costs, all meals as indicated, and driver/guide expenses (except tips).
Not included in this cost are: international or domestic air travel, the domestic flight from Durban to George, alcoholic beverages except where included in dinners, personal expenses (laundry, cleaning, room service, massages, tips), and personal transportation expenses apart from group activities.
For more information, contact Pat Walker at +1-415-387-7593 or visit www.theculturalexplorer.com.
SOURCE: eTN
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".
You’ve probably visited a few of the National Park Service’s network of almost 400 environmental, cultural and recreational sites. But did you know that you can apply to live inside a national park as a special guest for a few weeks without paying rent? Imagine being surrounded by sea views and dramatic cliffs in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, or observing elk, bighorn sheep and the endangered California condor in the untamed wilderness of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. Simply apply to be an Artist-In-Residence at one or more of the 29 National Parks currently participating in the program.
To find out more about Artist-In-Residence programs, visit:
http://writersdigest.com/articles/kane_artist_in_residence.asp
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".
Looking for The Ultimate Romance Getaway This Valentine’s Day?
From extravagant “Will You Marry?” packages to one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, here are a few romance hot-spots sure to please.
- The Merrion, Dublin, Ireland (www.merrionhotel.com)
Arguably Dublin’s most romantic hotel, The Merrion offers a Will You Marry Me? package designed to make a proposal as memorable as it should be. And one of the ingredients, a beautiful Jaeger LeCoultre watch, literally pays for the hotel stay. Will You Marry Me? costs 4,750 Euros (approximately $7,000) per couple and includes a deluxe room for one night in the historic Georgian main house; a bottle of champagne; full Irish breakfast for two; rose petal turndown service plus the pièce de résistance: a Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso watch engraved “Will You Marry Me?” The watch alone retails for appoximately $7,000…which means the rest of the package is on the house.
Fouquets-Barriere, Paris (www.fouquets-barriere.com)
Inspired by Robert Doisneau’s Le Basier (The Kiss), photographed in Paris in 1950, Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere, a palace hotel on the Champs Elysées, has created an unprecedented opportunity for guests to recreate this special moment. The new Paris C’est L’Amour package includes a one-hour photo shoot with a professional black-and-white photographer on the streets of Paris and even includes a make-up session. To top it off, couples enjoy a “Paris-by-Night” tour in either a chauffeur-driven 2CV convertible or a Peugeot C6. The package also includes caviar and champagne, breakfast each morning, a champagne dinner at the hotel’s Le Diane restaurant and transportation to and from the airport. The cost is 1,599 Euros (approximately $2,400) per night based on double occupancy for a minimum of two nights.
Hassler Roma (www.hotelhassler.com)
The Hassler Roma’s famous view from atop the Spanish Steps is as good as it gets on the ground but now the hotel takes views to an even higher level with the Roman Skyline Package. The package includes three nights in a Classic Suite, a 30-minute helicopter ride over the rooftops of Rome, private limousine service to and from the heliport, daily buffet breakfast, an exclusive tasting dinner at Imago, a bottle of Prosecco, a signature body-care gift, daily fruit, flowers and transfers to an from the international airport for 6,570 Euros (approximately $9,500). Valid until February 28, 2008.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (www.orient-express.com)
The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a luxurious setting for the World’s Most Romantic Celebration, a journey from Venice to Paris showcasing the glamour of train travel. After three nights in a deluxe suite at the Cipriani Hotel in Venice, guests dine in style and enjoy a cabin suite while the legendary VSOE train travels through the Italian, Swiss and French countryside to Paris where a one-bedroom suite at Le Meurice is waiting. From there, guests take a sidetrio by private Mercedes to Reims in the Champagne region for tastings and lunch at the two-star Michelin Chateau Les Crayeres. Shopping, touring and a candlelight dinner cruise along the Seine round out the experience which runs $24,750 per person for seven nights.
Panoramic Hotel, Iguazu, Argentina ( www.panoramic-hoteliguazu.com)
With a location only fifteen minutes from Iguazu Falls in Argentina, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, the new Panoramic Hotel Iguazu is the place to keep “falling” for your chosen one.Set magnificently on a hill where the Parana and Iguazu rivers meet, the hotel has panoramic views of the rivers and the triple border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, the hotel is offering a special honeymoon package that includes two nights in a Standard Garden View room with upgrade to river-view room or suite, depending on availability; a bottle of champagne and fresh fruit platter on arrival; complimentary breakfast in bed the first morning and dinner for two one night at the lauded Patio Restaurant. US $533 plus VAT.
St. Regis, Washington, D.C. (www.stregis.com)
Reopening this month (January 2008) after a 16-month restoration program orchestrated by the noted design team of Sills Huniford, the historic St. Regis, Washington, D.C. is once again the top address in the nation’s capital. To celebrate, the hotel’s Affair to Remember package includes accommodations in a premier suite, a bottle of Krug Grand Cuvee Champagne, a hand-crafted welcome creation from the pastry chef, breakfast in bed for two each morning and a limited edition St. Regis gift not to mention the pampering attention of one of the butlers for which St. Regis is so well known. Rates start at $675 per night (depending on the date and suite) for a minimum of two nights. The memories are simply priceless.
CC Africa Safaris (www.ccafrica.com)
Out of Africa forever romanticized the African Bush, and CC Africa’s 10-day East African adventure offers guests a chance to experience their very own African love affair. Days are spent viewing exceptional game in the Serengeti National Park while nights are spent in Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s private suites featuring awe-inspiring views of the Crater below. In perfect contrast, the last few nights are spent off the coast of Tanzania at Mnemba Island Lodge, renowned as the world’s most romantic private island, where guests enjoy candlelit dinners on the white sand beach, delicious fresh seafood, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking. Rates start at USD $ 7,404 per person in double accommodations and range up to USD $ 10,259 per person in double accommodations.
Also on the Romance Radar:
- Amanresorts specialize in romance 365 days of the year with exquisite facilities and pampering service at exotic locations around the world from Bali to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Visit www.amanresorts.com for more inspiration and give the gift of an unforgettable experience.
- Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa has opened Pezula Castle on Poetize Beach. Situated on one of the most secluded beaches in South Africa, the castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the beach and Indian Ocean. A resident chef, housekeeper and butler add to the romance. Visit www.pezula.com
- The Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland (www.brp.ch), Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland (www.ashford.ie) and The Virginia hotel in Cape May, New Jersey (www.virginiahotel.com) all have Valentine’s Day packages filled with ingredients to enhance romance in extraordinary surroundings.
SOURCE: Geoffrey Weill Associates
Sphere: Related Content
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".
Caribbean Travel Tips
Who Doesn’t Like To Save Money? Check out these money saving tips from the editors at CARIBBEAN TRAVEL & LIFE magazine.
1. LOVE TO DINE: Sure you love to dine with the gourmands at the Caribbean’s top restaurants, but you can save a bundle by renting a hotel room with a kitchenette and eating in. Or, consider local takeout- joints.
2. PACKAGE DEALS: Be sure to ask your resort or cruise line about package deals that combine airfare, accommodations, sports and spa treatments in one deal. You’ll save good money on taxes and fees.
3. TRAVELING DURING THE LOW SEASON: You can save from 20 to 60 percent on accommodations by traveling during the low season. Before making reservations, check your resort’s website for specific discounted dates, or call the reservations’ desk and ask.
4. SET SAIL ON A CRUISE: Want to hit more than one Caribbean destination on your next vacation without shelling out the cash to get to each spot? Set sail on a cruise for five, seven or even nine nights, and make your way through the islands. All onboard meals and activities are included in the rate.
5. ROMANTIC DINNER FOR TWO: Forgo the ocean-view balcony suite and take in the serene setting of a garden - or pool-view room. You can use the money you saved toward a romantic dinner for two actually on the beach.
6. WEDDING PACKAGES: Once you realize that the average American wedding costs $20,000 you’ll instead want to opt for inviting your closest family members and friends for an intimate Caribbean beach wedding. Hotels often have wedding packages, plus you can turn the rest of the trip into your honeymoon.
7. RENTING A VILLA: If you’re traveling with a large family or with friends, consider renting a villa instead of taking multiple rooms at a resort. Though villa prices look expensive at first blush, when you divide by the number of rooms you’d have to book, and consider intangibles like having your own kitchen, pool, and private grounds, it can be a great deal.
8. ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS: All-inclusive resorts are excellent values for those who know they’ll take advantage of everything the resort has to offer. Big drinkers, big eaters and those who enjoy all the included beach toys and water sports can save a bunch over a similar quality of a la carte hotel. For those who prefer to see the surrounding area, sample the local food and don’t use the toys, non-inclusive resorts can be the better choice.
9. A FOREIGN VACATION: A foreign vacation is a great opportunity to expand your horizons and learn about other cultures. One of the most enjoyable ways is to skip the familiar chain restaurants and eat at local places and even roadside stands. Ask the cooks to make recommendations. Some must-trys are:
- Jerk barbecue and beef patties in Jamaica.
- Cracked conch in the Bahamas
- Empanadas in Puerto Rico
- Shark ‘n’ Bake in Trinidad
For food safety at roadside stands, only eat cooked foods that are still hot, and fruits and vegetables that you peel
10. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: Local transport can unexpectedly eat up a lot of your budget. Rental car prices can be high in Jamaica, for example, because credit card issuers like American Express do not cover the collision insurance as it does for domestic rentals. In Bermuda, there are no rental cars, and taxis are very expensive. A great alternative, though, are the excellent local buses, which will take you all around the island for only a few dollars.
For more hot Caribbean ideas, sign up to receive a free CT&L monthly e-newsletter at www.caribbeantravelmag.com
About Caribbean Travel & Life:
Caribbean Travel & Life magazine is the most trusted authority on the world’s favorite sun-and-fun playground serving as resource, regular inspiration and constant connection for active travelers by presenting a comprehensive and current package of information and ideas on visiting the Caribbean. CT&L seeks out fun, positive experiences in all the destinations, and leading readers to romantic, indulgent and adventurous escapes via stunning photographs and stories that convey the warm- breeze, soft-sand, barefoot feel of the region.
SOURCE: Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.
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".
Do you want your next adventure more than just a visit to a new place? Do you want to make a difference?
Check out these eye-opening South Africa tours at The Cultural Explorer , specialists in cultural and philanthropic travel.
Animals and Art — VENDA INDIGENOUS ART TOUR
For adventurous travelers who love art and animals, too! Travelers stay in one-of-a-kind hotels, visit mystical regions few tourists see, and view animals in luxurious, eco-friendly safari camps. This is a unique opportunity to get to know various South African artists and visit with them in their studios. This trip includes optional cultural excursions to local villages and philanthropic projects. This exclusive itinerary really gets off the beaten path on this trip and venture into mystical parts of South Africa where most tourists don't go. If you like art and culture and also want to spend timeout on safari with the animals - this trip is for you!
• May 17-31, 2008
Mothers&Daughters - South Africa Adventure
For women only. This tour is designed to introduce Cultural Explorer travelers to the women and children of South Africa as they tour this spectacular country. It is a rare opportunity for families to learn and explore together. Both educational and fun. The May trip is scheduled around the 2008 Mother's Day holiday on May 11. For ages 15 and above–because travelers will witness and discuss the impact of AIDS on families and communities.
• May 3-17, 2008
* June 7-21, 2008
Making a Difference — South Africa
A special two week hands-on tour that gives travelers the opportunity to get involved and make a difference, while they explore and learn about South Africa. Here is what travelers can expect: Visit rural schools and develop plans to help with computer work stations or the library. Tutor students in English. Visit local orphanages and learn how to help AIDS orphans. Come up with a plan to get electricity to Zulu villages. Take a group of township kids on a field trip to the ocean or Robben Island. Observe animal rescue. Experience life in the townships; see what it is like to live without electricity or running water. Visit projects active in helping women develop much-needed work skills. Give developing entrepreneurs business or marketing advice and suggestions. Plus travelers will hike the Drakenberg mountains, walk Indian Ocean beaches, tour Robben island, shop Cape Town, and visit with the African Jackass penguins.
• February 9-23, 2008
• March 1-15, 2008
• September 6-20, 2008
• October 18-November 1, 2008
The Cultural Explorer (http://theculturalexplorer.com/)is a member of the African Travel Association (ATA) and is based in San Francisco. The company offers both group and individual trips and specializes in cultural and philanthropic travel experiences.
The Cultural Explorer
211 27th Avenue, Suite 301
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415-387-1335
Fax: 415-386-8334
International Cell: 415-994-0019
E-mail: Pat@TheCulturalExplorer.com
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".