Asia Transpacific Journeys Launches Lifelong Learning Journeys
Luxury Travel to Asia Enhanced by Hands-on Immersion, Educational Focus
Asia Transpacific Journeys announces a new Lifelong Learning Journeys series in which trips feature hands-on immersion in a specific theme through classes, discussion and participation with a guest tour leader who is an expert in the field.
For example, their new 17-day Cultures of Buddhist Asia is a sweeping examination of the three major schools of Buddhism practiced in Japan, Laos and Bhutan respectively. The journey will be led by a Buddhism expert from Naropa University, the premier Buddhist studies university in America. Meetings with monks, scholars and optional guidance in meditation will be featured.
These journeys delve deep into a specific theme, with the world as your classroom, says Marilyn Downing Staff, President and founder of Asia Transpacific Journeys, an Asia travel company specializing in the region for 21 years. They are crafted in the spirit of discovery and appreciation, for the lifelong learner who delights in knowledge, not just for those with a background in the subject.
Lifelong Learning Journeys feature:
- A unique theme that acts as a focus for each trip
- A guest tour leader who is an expert in that field
- Hands-on immersion through classes, demonstrations, discussion, participation
- Fellow travelers with a similar passion for subject
- No need to have a background in the subject to join
The Cultures of Buddhist Asia is a Small Group Trip departing November 15, 2008. The per person, double, rate is $10,395 for land costs that includes upscale accommodations, nearly all meals, transfers, visa fees, tips, entrance fees, emergency and medical evacuation insurance, and a comprehensive pre-departure packet.
About Asia Transpacific Journeys
Asia Transpacific Journeys is an award-winning, Boulder, Colorado-based Asia travel company and Asia tour operator specializing in Custom Journeys and Small Group Trips for Asia vacation travel since 1987. Outstanding service, long-standing connections in Asia and deeply insightful cultural interpretation make them the operator of choice for discerning individuals, their families and friends. Asia Transpacific Journeys is the recipient of three Top Travel Specialists awards for 2007 from Condé Nast Traveler magazine. In November 2007 Asia Transpacific Journeys was also honored as a Worlds Best Tour Operator by National Geographic Adventure. For more information, visit http://www.asiatranspacific.com or call 800 642 2742.
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".
This Mother’s Day, those looking for an extra-special way to pamper mom can treat her to the ultimate escape at Ocean Club Resorts, situated on the stunning Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos.
Ocean Club guests can earn brownie points this year by hosting a four night sleep over for the most important lady in their life or for a couple of their closest girlfriends.
Package includes:
- Four nights – including taxes/service fees
- Three breakfast, three lunch, three dinner vouchers per person
- A $25 On Site Merchant Gift Certificate
- Rate starts at $699.00 per person (based on double occupancy)
Guests can indulge in spa treatments, sailing on a catamaran, horseback riding on the beach, snorkeling, diving, parasailing or hitting the golf links. Or of course, there is always the option of just relaxing under a pink beach umbrella with a good book. Either way, Mom will truly feel appreciated. To book this package, contact Ocean Club Resorts at 1.800.457.8787, visit www.oceanclubresorts.com or contact a travel professional.
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".
Veteran Tour Operator Reveals Where to Avoid Crowds
This summer say no to too many heads at the trailhead. Hike the most popular national parks of the West with the experts of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) and escape the growing throngs.
National park visitation in 2007 showed a boost of over 3 million visitors above 2006 totals, thus countering several years of gradual decline. And according to the American Recreation Coalition, park visits are running ahead of last year and are forecasted to continue to increase for years to come partly due to domestic economic factors.
ALA, the 23-year-old, multi-sport travel company that specializes in immersive travel experiences, has just revealed its Top 10 List of favorite National Park trails in the West, where you can enjoy nature void of the crowds.
ALA Director Dan Austin says: While it is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of national park visitors venture more than a mile from their vehicle, many popular trails still resemble a freeway at rush hour. Never-the-less, we are willing to take the risk of revealing our favorite, least-frequented trails used on our backcountry excursions.
- #10 Grand Canyon NP - South Kaibab Trail: Avoid the more crowded Bright Angel Trail; hike the South Kaibab Trail, the only trail in the park that so dramatically holds true to a ridgeline descent thus offering the best views.
- #9 Yosemite NP - Pohono Trail (Taft Point): This trail leads to the top of Sentinel Dome for a scramble up to enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls.
- #8 Yellowstone NP Bunsen Peak Trail: A gradual 1,300-foot climb up Bunsen Peak provides a panoramic view of the Blacktail Plateau, Swan Lake Flats, Gallatin Mountain Range, and the Yellowstone River Valley.
- #7 Bryce Canyon NP - Fairyland Loop Trail: This great, less-crowded trail takes you through spectacular hoodoos and scenery along the rim and into the canyon. Its a challenging 8-mile route with many elevation changes.
- #6 Zion NP Kolob Canyon - Taylor Creek Trail: Kolob Canyon, in the isolated northwestern section of Zion, offers a pleasant 5-mile RT hike up an enchanting “finger” canyon that ends at the dramatic Double Arch Alcove.
- #5 Yellowstone NP Wapiti Lake Trail to South Rim Trail: This trail follows Lily Pad and Clear Lake Trails to the spectacular South Rim Trail traversing a remote thermal area before emerging onto the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and a breathtaking view of 308-foot Lower Falls.
- #4 Grand Teton NP Death Canyon: Death Canyon is a magnificent vertical-walled canyon with some of the oldest rock in the Teton Range. Hike to the patrol cabin for a wonderful 7.5 mile RT streamside jaunt.
- #3 Crater Lake NP Mount Scott Trail: According to Trails.com, If Crater Lake is the scenic highlight of Oregon; the Mount Scott Trail is the ultimate hike in Crater Lake National Park.
- #2 North Cascades NP Easy Pass Trail: ALA thinks that the Easy Pass area is one of the most superb places in the North Cascades, dominated by extensive meadows with rare larch trees, crowned by glacial peaks.
- #1 Kenai Fjords NP Harding Ice Field Trail: ALAs favorite hike! Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breathtaking view of an endless expanse of glaciers and ice.
About Austin Lehman Adventures:
ALA manages all of the arrangements in its selected destinations. Small groups are held at 12 guests. Rates include first-class accommodations, most meals, expert guides, entry fees, multisport activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding and more, ground transportation and luggage service. Not included is round trip air to the host city.
To get a copy of the 2008 catalog as well as information on ALAs 40 unique luxury, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries please call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.austinlehman.com.
Source: Widness & Wiggins
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".
MedjetAssist, the nation’s premier emergency medical evacuation program, has launched a new, expanded version of its PLUS program, offering members added peace of mind while traveling.
In addition to the standard MedjetAssist guarantee to repatriate members who are hospitalized more than 150 miles from home, the new PLUS program offers:
- MedFlash, which allows a member to store medical and personal information online and on a handy flash device that will work on any PC with a USB port, for immediate access in any emergency situation. Think of it as the next generation of emergency medical bracelets and IDs.
- Free international cell phone rental, equipping members traveling internationally with a phone that works in 170 countries and includes voicemail, text messaging and free incoming calls. All daily rental charges are waived. Member just pays airtime and shipping.
- Satellite phone rental, which allows members access to a satellite phone at discounted rates and free incoming calls, while traveling to areas not serviced by cellular providers.
- Up-to-the-minute trip intelligence, including news updates in more than 260 cities and 180 countries.
- Cash advance of up to $50,000 for medical emergencies in advance of treatment, should it be necessary.
- Plus Member Discounts — a variety of rewards and member-only privileges, from GPS discounts to travel products.
“The PLUS program takes the freedom to travel, stay healthy and remain in control of one’s own medical care to a whole new level,” says Roy Berger, President and CEO of MedjetAssist, “and that’s what MedjetAssist is all about.”
For more information, visit www.medjet.com.
ABOUT MEDJETASSIST
MedjetAssist is the premier emergency medical evacuation membership program for travelers. If a member is hospitalized more than 150 miles from home-virtually anywhere in the world-MedjetAssist reviews his or her condition both with the attending medical staff and the member’s own physicians, and provides a medically equipped and staffed aircraft to fly the member free of charge to the hospital of his choice. MedjetAssist has its corporate headquarters in Birmingham, AL, and in 2008, was named the exclusive provider of worldwide air ambulance and medical repatriation services for AARP.
Source: Geoffrey Weill Associates
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".
70th Annual National Folk Festival: Butte, Montana July 11 - 13, 2008
Take the family to Butte, Montana, this summer for one the country’s largest and most prestigious celebrations of the arts, the National Folk Festival. First presented in 1934, it is the oldest multicultural festival in the nation. This “moveable feast of deeply traditional folk arts” celebrates American culture through music, dance, traditional craft, storytelling, food and more. Festival dates are Friday, July 11th through Sunday, July 13th and the entire event is FREE to the public.
With historic, uptown Butte, Montana as its backdrop, seven stages will offer continuous performances throughout the long weekend. The Festival features a broad array of music and dance performances, participatory dancing, hands-on workshops, children’s activities, regional and ethnic foods, parades, craft exhibits and more. The National brings together a jubilant, diverse array of offerings appealing to audiences of all ages.
Over 250 musicians, dancers and craftspeople will demonstrate, exhibit and perform. Musical styles ranging from blues, rockabilly, jazz, cowboy, bluegrass, western swing, zydeco, polka, old time, gospel and many more will highlight the Festival. Stages will range in size from a 10,000 seat, open-air amphitheater to small, intimate acoustic settings. Some of the feature performances include: Wylie and the Wild West (western, see photo above), Shemekia Copeland (blues), The Seldom Scene (bluegrass), Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca (Congolese/Cuban), The Oinkari Basque Dancers (traditional Basque dancing & music), and many more.
Historic Uptown Butte – perched in the Northern Rocky Mountains between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks – will be the site of the 70th, 71st and 72nd National Folk Festivals (2008, 2009,2010). This is the first time the National Folk Festival has been held west of the Mississippi River in over 40 years, and its first time ever in Montana.
To learn more about the upcoming National Folk Festival visit: http://nationalfolkfestival.com. This event is produced by the National Council for Traditional Arts, http://ncta.net.
SOURCE: Travel Montana (http://visitmt.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".
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Just type in AA.com on your mobile phone and see for yourself.
Learn more at AA.com
Source: American Airlines
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".