Here’s a travel tip for those of you who’d like to pack a little karma on your next adventure…
Let’s say you’ve decided to go trekking in Timbuktu, touring the wine country in South Africa, or celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Great! Now, before you go, leave a little room in your rucksack (or designer suitcase…if that’s more your style) and visit StuffYourRucksack.com. The site lists crucial items (e.g. boy’s clothing for a youth organization in Rawanda) needed by non-profits across the globe. Simply enter your destination in the search engine, then pick up a few things to deliver in person.
“How many times have you been travelling and visited a school or community or local charity that you would love to help? The school needs books, or a map or pencils; an orphanage needs children’s clothes or toys. All things that, if only you’d known, you could’ve stuffed in your rucksack. But once you get home you forget, or you’ve lost the address, or worry that whatever you send will be stolen before it even gets there…” That’s why we’ve set up StuffYourRucksack.com - Kate Humble.
Hummm? With the name Humble, it sounds like there’s more than a little karma behind Kate’s passion. Thank you Kate!
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".
Feelin’ like a kid again? Happens every time you hop on a bike.
Check out these favorite rides from the all-inclusive multi-sport adventure experts at Austin Lehman Adventures
The ride from Pine Creek into Montanas Paradise Valley, where they filmed The Horse Whisperer. End with a dip in the thermal springs at Chico.
Montana Canyons, Calderas, & Cowboys Adventure
A 24-mile stretch on Alaskas Kenai Peninsula along Granite Creek to the historic Gold Rush town of Hope. Waterfalls and wildflowers adorn the route.
Alaska - Best of the Greatland
Starting from Osprey Lake high above the valley floor, descend the Trans-Canada Trail through shady stands of towering Ponderosa Pines following the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway into British Columbias Okanagan Valley.
Okanagan Valley - Canada’s Wine Country
Take a morning bike ride through Antelope Flats starting from the front door of the Spring Creek Ranch under the granite spires of Wyomings Grand Tetons.
Wyoming/Grand Teton Valley Floors to Jagged Peaks Adventure
In Perus Sacred Valley, bike off-road to the Inca site of Moray (nine mile ride) then on to the ancient salt pools and mines of Maras (four mile ride).
Peru - Land of the Inca
Experience South Africas Cape Point Nature Reserve and bike along a network of back roads keeping an eye out for Cape mountain zebra and indigenous fynbos plants. Youll circumnavigate the southernmost point on the continent.
South Africa Safari & Multisport Adventure
To view all of the Top 10 Bike Rides visit:
http://www.austinlehman.com:80/pages/july_2008_rides/297.php
About Austin Lehman Adventures (ALA):
ALA includes the full use of its bikes in the trip price. The company features Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo front-suspension mountain bikes, customized as a road/mountain bike hybrid. Guests may choose the pedaling distance they are most comfortable with and a sag wagon always provides back-up and a break when needed.
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 call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries log onto http://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".
Fig trees, vineyards and olive groves. Risotto, gelato and chianti. Is there any better treat for the senses than Italy? Now, cyclists can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy up close, with Ciclismo Classico’s six-day wanderlust “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
This trip takes travelers to many of the sites seen in Diane Lane’s famous film, such as Cortona. Stroll down Etruscan, medieval and Renaissance villages. Zigzag through tiny towns on a picturesque road lined with fig trees. Explore picture-perfect hilltop towns and ancient abbeys.
Traveling by bike allows travelers the freedom to venture off the beaten path, meeting local people and experiencing local culture, and classic Tuscan fare, including fresh pastas and vegetables. This Tuscan adventure departs September 7th and October 2nd, rates start at: $2,895, per person.
More on Ciclismo Classico > Click here
Source: Adventure Travel Media Source
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".
Late summer and fall bring great deals and savings at WildlandWild Discounts and Extras on Costa Rica and Galapagos Adventures!
Adventures. Mingle with the exotic inhabitants of Darwin’s enchanted
archipelago. Or head to the Costa Rican rainforest where summer lingers
year-round. Choose from these unforgettable vacation options:
• See the Galapagos for $200-$1,000 less!
Commune with exotic and bizarre wildlife on Wildland Adventures’ 11-day
Galapagos Wildlife Odysseys. Also ask about their family departures
with low child rates.
The Diamante - $3345 ($200 discount) August 18-28, 2008 >Click Here
The Samba - $2195 ($1000 discount) August 28-September 3, 2008 >Click Here
Call 800-345-4453 to Book! More on Wildland Adventures, >Click Here Book a trip to Tibet with Myths and Mountains and your hotel night in • What: One free hotel room in your gateway city pre or post trip. Everest Base Camp >Click Here A Buddhist Legacy >Click Here A Cultural Sampler >Click Here Call 800-670-6984 to Book. More on Myths and Mountains >Click Here Has the rising cost of fuel, airfare or airline fees impeded yourvacation plans? What: Receive a $300 travel credit per person toward the travel expenses you incur to get to your host city Source: TrustedAdventures.com
• Costa Rica Sports Adventure - Complimentary Wild Turtle Viewing
Book this active, outdoor adventure and receive a complimentary Turtle
Nesting nighttime walk or a Baby Turtle Hatching tour on the August
9-15, September 13-19, October 18-24 or November 22-28 departures. Only
two rooms left on the August departure so hurry! >Click Here
Complimentary Hotel Night on All Tibet Adventures!
Chengdu or Beijing is on them! Choose from three extraordinary
itineraries or plan a private custom trip just for you and your family
and friends.
• When: Offer good on travel now through September 30, 2008
• Where: Choose from these set trips or plan your own private escape:
20 Days / 19 Nights - August 3-22, 2008
11 Days / 10 Nights - August 31-September 10, 2008
10 Days / 9 Nights - August 9-August 18, 2008
Travel with Austin-Lehman this Fall and Enjoy Savings on Your Transportation Expenses.
Austin Lehman Adventures understands your frustration, which is why theye’re
offering to take a chunk out of your travel costs.
When: Book by 8/01/2008 and travel by 10/12/2008
Where: Choose from -
Departure Dates for this Promotion: Sep 07, 2008 & Sep 14, 2008
Price: $2,998
Trip Length: 6 days/5 nights
Departure Dates for this Promotion: Sep 28, 2008, Oct 05, 2008, & Oct 12, 2008
Price: $1,898
Trip Length: 6 days/5 nights
Departure Dates for this Promotion: Sep 07, 2008 & Sep 14, 2008
Price: $1,998
Trip Length: 6 days/5 nights
How: Call 1-800-575-1540.
More on Austin Lehman Adventures > Click here
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".
iExplore announced today their list of Top Ten Summer World Travel Destinations for Cultural Exploration as determined by vacation purchases of its adventure and experiential travelers.
1. The Pyramids, Egypt
The largest man made structures in the world and are one of the most lasting symbols of ancient civilization.
2. Machu Picchu, Peru
Recently named one of the world’s new seven wonders; this remote Inca citadel has perhaps the most dramatic setting of any ruin in the world.
3. Thailand
Thailand is a rush to traveler’s senses: a bustling, exotic, and vivid culture that never ceases to amaze visitors.
4. Madagascar
Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world is a land unlike any other. Madagascar is an enticing destination for those who find its lack of modern conveniences, tourist infrastructure and efficient transport system an interesting proposition rather than a problem.
5. Great Wall, China
The only man made structure that can be seen from space spans more than 4,000 miles across mainland China.
6. Jerusalem, Israel
The old walled city of Jerusalem, a holy site of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is dominated by historic sites such as the Dome of the Rock, Wailing Wall, and church of the Holy Sepulchre.
7. Taj Mahal, India
The world’s most famous testament of love. This white domed mausoleum made of the finest stones in Agra, India is the finest example of Mughal architecture and Muslim art and recognized for its beauty the world over.
8. Tunisia
Tunisia, the smallest country in North Africa, has a lot to offer travelers including Mediterranean beaches, the Sahara desert, to sets from the film Star Wars.
9. Vietnam
Only in Vietnam is the past and the present encapsulated so perfectly.
10. Japan
Ancient temples and futuristic cities; mist-shrouded mountains and lightning-fast bullet trains; kimono-clad geisha and suit-clad businessmen: Japan offers all of this and more.
iExplore offers guided tours to most of the above destinations. Call 1-800-IEXPLORE (1-800-439-7567) for details and pricing.
Founded in 1999, iExplore (http://www.iexplore.com/) is the leading online resource for adventure and experiential travel, serving over 1,300,000 visitors per month at its website.
Source: iExplore, Inc.
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".
Wondering if you should bow or shake hands with your Chinese colleague? Worried that you might have offended your Moroccan hosts by declining that second cup of tea? Want to know the best time to arrive at a Brazilian party?
Log on to CultureCrossing.net; an evolving database of cross-cultural information about every country in the world. This free, user-built reference guide allows people from around the globe to access and share essential tips about how to navigate the world with savvy and sensitivity. An invaluable resource for travelers, businesses, students and anyone living and working in a multicultural community, CultureCrossing.net offers its users an opportunity to:
* Access information for more than 200 countries (with new information added daily)
* Add knowledge to the country guides
* Ask questions and chat directly with other users and experts from around the world
* Explore global resources to facilitate any cross-cultural experience
According to CultureCrossing.net founder Michael Landers, “There are many sites that tell you how to book a trip and what to pack, but very few sites offer crucial information about the intangibles like appropriate greetings, gestures, and taboo behavior- tips that will help you stay out of trouble when crossing cultures. Ours is the only site providing free access to this kind of knowledge for every country in the world.”
The resources available at CultureCrossing.net are free to use, easy to navigate and simply organized by country and divided into three distinct categories of information: the basics, business essentials, and student life. Topics covered include greetings, gestures, taboos, dress, negotiations, meeting etiquette, school rules, gift giving, communication styles, eye contact, and more. Besides being an indispensable reference guide, the site also offers a variety of additional features such as interviews with culturally conscious celebrities, a humorous blog where you can learn from others’ cross-cultural faux pas, tools to help you explore your own “cultural baggage”, and quizzes so you can test your cultural IQ.
WHY WWW.CULTURECROSSING.NET
Culture influences our behavior in countless ways - subconsciously guiding our actions, reactions and interactions. In order to successfully engage with the global community, it’s crucial to understand how culture affects the way we socialize, communicate, and do business. In our increasingly borderless world, cultural ignorance can lead to misunderstandings with far reaching implications. Whether you’re working with a multicultural team, transitioning to a life overseas, preparing to study abroad, or just planning an international trip, CultureCrossing.net will enhance your personal experiences, deepen your cross-cultural understanding, and cultivate peace in our interconnected world.
ABOUT CULTURECROSSING.NET
Created by cross-cultural trainer Michael Landers and multimedia producer Lisa Grossman, CultureCrossing.net is the result of their passion for exploring the world and commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding. The founders also rely on the voluntary support of professionals, students, and community members from around the globe to vet and grow their database of cultural information.
Live for just four months, the site already boasts members from over 75 countries and has recorded over 20,000 unique visitors and 1.5 million hits in July alone. CultureCrossing.net is quickly gaining recognition as the perfect primer for all your international experiences.
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".