Save up your zlotys to plunge into Poland, a bit off the beaten Euro path and very Old World. Exeter International will escort you for 8 days on a tour that has won the National Geographic esteemed status “50 Trips of a Lifetime.” The itinerary is split between the capital, Warsaw, and Krakow, both straddling the Vistula, the longest river in the country. Both cities are rich in UNESCO World Heritage medieval sites including the Warsaw Old Town center and Kraków’s Old Town Square, home to about six thousand historic sites and fine examples of Renaissance, Baroque and Goth architecture. There will also be a guided visit to the eternally tragic memorial of Auschwitz.
Top stops will include a visit in Lomianki village to a private family nalewki distillery –killer local herbal vodka. If you recover from this pit stop the one to a glass factory will be a breeze. Get your hands full of flour in a local restaurant during a private Pierogi-making lesson — this national dish is a half-moon dumpling stuffed with minced pork, onions, cottage cheese and secret seasonings. And thrill to a Chopin concert under the stars.
Exeter is offering two in-depth Poland trips in 2012 – both priced at $4,675 (land only, double basis): July 6 – July 13 and September 7-14. Should you happen to be in the ‘hood — Berlin, Prague, Budapest or Vienna — this Poland trip would make for an exceptional offbeat add-on.
For the full itinerary or more details, click on www.exeterinternational.com or call them in Florida at (800) 633-1008.
“Bosnia Three Rivers” is one wild and wet way to experience a relatively an as-yet untrodden country. Part of Yugoslavia until it gained independence in 1992, Bosnia is a fresh, new and exciting country to explore.
National Geographic Traveler Magazine applauds this O.A.R.S.’ trip as one of their “50 Tours of a Lifetime” — most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most sustainable tours of 2012. California-based O.A.R.S. has set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport vacations, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines of the world since 1969.
Solo adventurists – hearty hikers – rogue travelers – nouveau nomads – - here is a unique opportunity to walk amidst a nomadic Moroccan family of the Ait Atta tribe as they search out pastures for their vast flocks of animals. For nine wild, dramatic, amazing days you and your fellow trekkees will be totally unplugged from modern everything and immersed in the beauty and simplicity of Bedouin life. No souks. No shopping. No cells.
Start in the grazing lands of the High Atlas Mountains and travel east to the Dades Valley, a dramatic landscape of volcanic peaks, tabletop mountains and bright oases. How tough do you really need to be to participate? You must be able to walk 5-6 hours a day at a “gentle pace”. No support van carrying champagne will be following! And nothing will diminish your sense of wonder and pride of accomplishment at completing this migration with a Berber family.
What kind of solo traveler would a poppy safari in Bhutan attract? In other words, who else might you meet in a hidden, ultra exotic, miles-high Himalayan kingdom? Someone for whom the lack of oxygen, the pummeling monsoons and the little leeches that appear would be fine? Someone who yearns to see, feel, taste and smell the most far-flung corners of the earth? Someone for whom 3-4 hours of trekking sounds like fun? Someone capable of fainting at the glimpse of the ephemeral beauty of blooming poppies, the national flower? Someone really rich? [Read on.] Cameras! At the ready to point and shoot?!
Painters and photographers, here’s the perfect summer trip for solo travelers: a chance to study with the masters in British Columbia’s immense and thrilling Bugaboos mountain range — some of the most extraordinary natural scenery in the Americas.
Voted “Best Heli-Adventure Company on Earth” by National Geographic ADVENTURE Magazine, CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures is the oldest (est. 1965) and largest heli-skiing and heli-hiking operator in the world, operating from 11 lodges. Rates are per person, based on double occupancy.
Hankerin’ for a creative, outdoor adventure this summer right here in the U.S.? The historic landmark Vee Bar Guest Ranch in Wyoming (2 ½ hours from Denver) beckons. Authentic ranch is framed by the Snowy Range Mountains, pasturelands with real cattle, and cabins dotting the shore along the Little Laramie River.
Open to those at any level of writing and riding skills, Page Lambert, award-winning author and writing coach, and Sheri Griffith, legendary sportswoman/adventurer, invite you for one unique week, June 2 – June 7, 2012. “Through the Eyes of the Horse – Literature & Landscape of the Horse Retreat” will surely rekindle even the most dormant of creative fires. Learn what horsemanship can teach us about our own natural instincts instead of relying only on the intellect.
The Reading and Writing: Page leads literature discussions about horses and animals as characters, reads aloud appropriate excerpts, and shares the wisdom of ‘horse whisperers.’ She encourages immersion in the natural world, keeping journals, and dispenses fun, short writing prompts.
During the Arctic summer the tundra, miraculously carpeted with wildflowers, awakens to the thunder of glacial ice cracking and crashing into the sea. Polar bears, seabirds, reindeer, arctic fox, seals and great pods of walrus are out sunbathing, foraging, and camera-ready in up-close viewing. Temperatures push up to a toasty 30° – 45°F, perfect for walking, hiking, kayaking and Zodiac sorties under the sun that never sets.
Maximize your experience by travelling with one of the best teams in the biz: Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic offers exceptional itineraries aboard their 148-guest National Geographic Explorer — a state-of-the-art, ice-strengthened Arctic cruise ship with the best Ice Team on earth. Great guest speakers, professional photography instructors, oceanographers, and filmmakers.
The inaugural Windsor Castle Concours d’ Elegance will feature a display of the world’s rarest, most luxurious and spectacular vintage motorcars such as the Bugatti Royale, the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Blower Bentley and Mercedes-Benz Gullwing this September, 2012 in London.
Tour Director Janet Cameron, the Abercrombie & Kent guide for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, is a long-time car enthusiast with expert knowledge of vintage and modern automobiles. As a driver-guide, she has driven Jenson Button and his Formula 1 team and Marco Andretti and now drives the Mercedes-Schumacher team.
No pussies in this scene. We are talking leopard, caracal, and cheetah.
Scientific knowledge or training is not required. There are no age limits although a moderate fitness level is basic, and although much of the work will be done from Land Rovers, one also needs to be able to walk for about 5 km, sometimes under the hot sun and sometimes on irregular mountainous terrain.
Barely-explored, PNG is set in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia and north of Australia. Rugged mountains, swamps, mossy dense rainforests, a long coastline, tiny market villages, volcanic fjords, rainforests and reefs, and truly wild parties. The country beckons with many mysterious species of plants and animals; a huge variety of rats, bats, kangaroo, really big butterflies, whales, manatee and more.
Colorado-based, award-winning Asia Transpacific Journeys offers two “Mt. Hagen Sing-Sing” 14-day trips this August, 2012 when over 100 tribes convene. This could be your only opp to meet the Huli Wigmen and Crocodile People. Call 800-642-2742 or surf to www.asiatranspacific.com.