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| Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua |
| Home to an astonishing abundance of tropical flora and fauna, Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua are a mecca for nature and adventure travelers. Join Wildland Adventures Director Kurt Kutay on a guided photo trip through the Central American isthmus, filled with white-water rivers and waterfalls, tropical rain forests, active volcanoes, mountain cloud forests, coral reefs and indigenous cultures. Home to rare and exotic wildlife, travelers can see monkeys, sloth, sea turtles, caiman, poison arrow frogs, macaws and toucans, colorful butterflies, and amazing nocturnal creatures. Kurt will share his knowledge of the best ecolodges, the most beautiful beaches and show you how to get around, and how to best plan your itinerary to fit your time and budget. Discover why Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua have gained worldwide acclaim as premier adventure destinations and why Wildland Adventures was ranked the “#1 Best Do-It-All Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine! |
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September 11 |
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10:00 AM
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112 5th Ave. S.
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-877-225-1994 |
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| Packing Light! -- Renton Store |
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At our New Renton Store at the Landing
Just in time for Fall travel departures we offer our most requested and popular seminar! Skillful packing is an art easily learned. Penny Todd is a seasoned traveler who will teach you how to pack a carry-on suitcase that can take you just about anywhere. She recently returned from a three-week trip with just carry-on luggage and she has taught thousands of travelers the skill of packing efficiently. She is constatly updating her class to include the newest security and safety requirements and medical information. She’ll share many valuable tips covering casual to dressy clothing and how to be prepared. You’ll arrive with more of the things you need, and less of the things you don’t—like wrinkles! Please RSVP, space is limited. $5.00 Fee. |
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| Trekking in Nepal: Answers and Inspiration |
| Nepal is home to eight of the world’s tallest mountains, each higher than 25,000 feet. Nepal’s impressive landscape varies greatly from the tropical plains at sea level to the majestic Mt. Everest at 29,029 feet. The multitude of flora and fauna further contribute to the multi-faceted wonders that inspire travelers to explore more deeply. The convergence of cultures and geography with the opportunity for peak adventure enchants visitors who make the journey to go trekking in Nepal. What is a trekking journey like? Do I need to be a marathon runner to trek in the Himalayas? What is a typical day like? Do I need crampons? What about my health? The presenter, Pam Perry, spent three months in Nepal last year, much of it trekking in the Annapurna region and exploring the hidden corners of this warm and welcoming Himalayan culture.
Grand Asian Journeys integrates enriching experiences, authentic culture and local knowledge on memorable, small group adventures. The Grand Asian Journeys’ team has been at the core of establishing high-quality treks and tours for two decades. A partnership with Crystal Mountain Treks (based in Nepal) allows us to offer expert guides who’ve been proving their professionalism and loyalty for years. Our passion for providing fun, quality journeys is showcased by our dynamic guides and vivid itineraries on each journey that we offer. We step further into each enthralling destination with a commitment to local relationships and ensure beneficial contributions are made to the communities who welcome us into their lives.
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| India: Rich in culture and a land through time |
| India is a vast and splendid land. Veteran travel guide, historian and filmmaker Adrian Chalker offers travelers a helping hand steering a path through India's spectacular labyrinth of sights and mysteries to bring out the wonders of the sub-continent. From the battlements of Agra's Red Fort, Rajasthan's opulent palaces and the Taj Mahal in the north, to the soaring Gopuram architecture, tropical Malabar backwaters and plantations of the Spice Hills in the south, India remains the 'great frontier' for those travelers that seek a land where magic is still real. Adrian will present opportunities to stay in Maharaja's palaces, home-stay on a Cardamom Spice Plantation, ride elephants and seek tigers in the southern jungles and across the spectacular landscape of Rajasthan. We cover Mysore, Ooty and Madras, explore Jaipur, Udaipur, Varanasi and Khajuraho, and visit Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Delhi and Cochin. To quote Paul William Roberts, India is the "empire of the soul.” Discover why Wildland Adventures was ranked the “#1 Best Do-It-All Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine! |
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| Patagonia and Beyond: Chile and Argentina |
| Patagonia is a vast, wild land stretching from the Antarctic environment of Tierra del Fuego to high Andean mountains and wind-swept Patagonian steppe. Wildland Adventures’ South American travel specialist Gregg Burke will highlight the wildlife, gaucho culture, and the hiking and trekking opportunities throughout this spectacular region of Chile and Argentina. We review the best ways to explore Patagonia, recommended lodges and ecocamps for hiking in the heart of Torres del Paine, Fitzroy and Los Glaciares National Parks, as well as travel to Iguazu Falls, the Lakes District, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, and the great cities of Buenos Aires and Santiago. Discover why Wildland Adventures was ranked the “#1 Best Do-It-All Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine! |
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| MIR Corporation |
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October 9 |
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1:00 PM
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112 5th Ave. S.
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-877-225-1994 |
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| Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova |
| Join Joanna as she introduces you to Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, three of the least-frequented and least familiar countries in Europe.
Traverse a little-known region that has changed hands from its earliest history, exploring with in-depth visits and local interactions. Begin in Minsk, capital of Belarus. Having survived innumerable disasters through the ages, including the Crimean Tatar raids and the battles of WWII, Minsk today gives a fascinating glimpse into the socialist past. Continue on to Ukraine’s four most elegant cities: Yalta, Kiev, Odessa and UNESCO-listed Lviv. Finally, the overland journey will take us to Chisinau, capital of the tiny country of Moldova. Moldova is primarily an agricultural country that is beginning to make a name for itself with its deep red wines.
Joanna Millick, a travel expert at Seattle’s MIR Corporation, was born in Warsaw and speaks a host of Slavic languages. Her experience in Poland as a tour manager complements her Master's degree in International Studies. She has traveled widely throughout Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Russia, and recently led a MIR group through Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova, returning to her six-year career with MIR after a year in Poland.
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| Mama Tembo Tours |
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October 16 |
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10:00 AM
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112 5th Ave. S.
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-877-225-1994 |
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| See More Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and Congo |
| Tanzania:
Northern Tanzania is on everyone's radar as a safari destination because of its world renowned wildebeest migration. It is an especially good pick for a first-ever safari. But its fame also results in some cookie-cutter safaris. Learn how to add the north's lesser known destinations to a program without missing the famous highlights of the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, as well as some safari-enhancing activities which get you out of your vehicle and Africa beneath your feet.
Kenya:
Learn about MTT's association with three respected elders among the Maasai whose tourism programs in southern and northern Kenya are immersions in authentic Maasai life. Their camps are especially good places for families on safari. Walk with Maasai warriors in the Transmara lands around the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, the dispersal area for its game; and in Laikipia, ranked second to the Maasai Mara for wildlife densities but without all the people.
Zambia:
Excellent game viewing, guiding, camps, walking and night safaris, and off the beaten path destinations combine to make Zambia one of Africa's best kept secrets. Learn about its major wildlife parks – Lower Zambezi, Kafue and South Luangwa - as well as the opportunity to make a road trip where the night's accommodation can be a secluded spot next to a waterfall almost as high as Victoria Falls.
Central Africa:
Nouabale-Ndoki and Dzanga-Ndoki National Parks in the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic offer travellers the opportunity to observe the only two habituated groups of Western lowland gorillas in the world as well as Africa's highest densities of forest elephants. It is a unique wildlife experience and adventure travel at its best. In 2010, MTT launched the first ever ground operation in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo – CongoWildlifeAdventures.com – which makes getting to these remote parks easier. Learn about this new venture and how to be among the first to arrive.
Leslie Nevison has called eight countries home—Turkey, the Sultanate of Oman, Singapore (twice), Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Greece, the Republic of Congo, and Zambia. She has traveled through over forty countries worldwide and has written as many travel articles for publication. In 2005, she started Mama Tembo Tours, tailor-made wildlife and cultural safaris to Africa which reflect an insider's view of the countries in which Leslie works and not someone who has simply passed through.
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| China |
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Dave Bruels of Interlake China Tours in Seattle has just returned from his 50th trip to China doing research on China Tourism for the past 20 years. This year's program will be on the exciting historical Muslim area of Xinjiang province in the far north-west part of China on the Afghanistan and Pakistan boarders just south of
Mongolia. During the program slides will be shown on the Tibetan area of
Shangrila on the eastern Tibet and Sichuan province boarder area as well as other interesting places in China. Dave visited the very remote Jiuzhaigou National Park with its tall mountains, turquoise colored lakes and streams being kept pristine since its discovery in 1975.
As a preview to Dave's presentation on China you may want to read his blog that he writes each week on the many areas of China opening up to tourism. Bring your questions and inquiries about China which Dave will be glad to answer.
Blog: www.interlakechinatours.blogspot.com
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| Land of the Maya: Belize and Guatemala |
| The "Mundo Maya" of Belize and Guatemala is a land of discovery and adventure in an exciting milieu of natural and cultural environments. Wildland Adventures Director Kurt Kutay, and regional expert Jeff Stivers, take us on a journey through the Maya heartland among highland native villages to spectacular archaeological sites like Tikal and other ancient ruins still buried in the jungle. Apart from the archaeological wonders and the variety and vitality of the indigenous cultures the physical beauty is stunning. Travel through a verdant landscape of rain forests, cloud forests, white-water rivers, volcanoes, lakes, caves with underground rivers, and the barrier reef of Belize. Exotic wildlife abounds including crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, tapirs, butterflies, toucans, macaws, parrots and more. Journey away from crowded tourist sites to more remote and pristine villages, natural areas and ancient sites. Wildland Adventures’ trip “Undiscovered Belize” received National Geographic’s 50 Best Tours of a Lifetime award. And, discover why Wildland Adventures was ranked the “#1 Best Do-It-All Outfitter on Earth” the by National Geographic Adventure Magazine! |
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| Travel 4 Real |
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October 23 |
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1:00 PM
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112 5th Ave. S.
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-877-225-1994 |
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| Europe 2011 |
| Planning and preparation are key to a successful trip in 2011. This seminar will look at the best bets for a trip to Europe; highlighting France, Italy, Greece and the UK just to name a few. Come away with a workable plan to help you narrow down a great trip! |
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| Jordan, Egypt and Israel |
| The same sinking sun turns Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock to gilded flame, inches the mighty pyramid’s shadow across timeless sands, and plunges Petra the “Rose Red City half as old as time” into rich ochre’s of sandstone red. From modern Amman and ancient Jerusalem to the serene beauty of Egypt’s Aswan, this region traverses the spectrum of the modern and the ancient, abounding with reminders of its deep historical importance. Discover Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, Roman Jerash, Byzantine and Arab Castles, and Nabaetean Petra; a must-see for the serious traveler. Egypt, an ancient Arab society, offers high levels of traditional hospitality and is the perfect contrast to the essentially Western Israel, and to Jordan, a truly modern Arab nation spanning the transition of the respected old to the forward looking new. Each of these destinations offer spectacular active outdoor adventures; exploring Wadi Rum, SCUBA diving in the Red Sea, hiking the valleys around Qumran, and riding camels across Aswan’s golden sands. Wildland Adventures’ Middle East Program Director, Adrian Chalker, shares his decades of experience leading tours throughout Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Morocco, and Iran. See the Middle East in pictures and learn how your experience can be broadened by including Jordan, Israel and Egypt. Discover why Wildland Adventures was ranked the “#1 Best Do-It-All” Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine! |
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| Africa Rarely Seen: Botswana the Life Preserver |
| When most people think of Africa they tend to envision the sweeping green plains or savannah grasslands of East Africa. Most do not imagine the water wonderland that exists in the northern Kalahari Desert of Botswana in southern Africa.
Join us for a safari through the country of Botswana and as we explore its jewel, the Okavango Delta, nothing like it exists anywhere else on the planet. We will take in the amazing diversity of plant, bird, fish, and animal life that the Delta supports and immerse ourselves in its timeless landscapes. We will also venture into the country of Namibia for a quick look at its dramatic Skeleton Coast and towering sand dunes.
We will be discussing the best ways to experience Botswana via safari and the different options that are available to visitors today. You will be introduced to an ecotourism company that has received international recognition for the community development and conservation programs it has established in Botswana and other countries in southern Africa.
Your guide for the program, Erica Varga, has traveled extensively throughout East and southern Africa over the past 20 years. She has guided guests from around the globe on overland safaris across Botswana and into Zambia and Zimbabwe and worked in Botswana as an Assistant Anthropologist.
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| East Africa: a Safari of a Lifetime |
| The Migration, Maasai and a Safari of a Lifetime
Learn how to plan an African safari of a lifetime for two travelers or a family of five! Julia Nesbitt, Wildland Adventures’ Africa travel specialist, fresh off a scouting trip to Kenya and Tanzania, will present different types of safaris that match your interests, budget and style of travel through the great wildlife parks Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in East Africa. Your African experience isn’t complete without meeting African people including native Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania. This presentation includes excerpts from a movie by a Seattle filmmaker documenting the life-changing African safari of a Wildland Adventures’ Seattle group among the Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania. Discover why Wildland Adventures was ranked the “#1 Best Do-It-All Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine! |
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November 13 |
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1:00 PM
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112 5th Ave. S.
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-877-225-1994 |
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| Saving Money on your European Vacation |
| The Euro dropped to a 4 year low in 2010 so now it the time to learn how to stretch every penny during your vacation. Learn money saving tips from airlines, hotels, car rentals and ways to save on shopping and more! |
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November 20 |
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10:00 AM
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112 5th Ave. S.
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-877-225-1994 |
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| Sicily-From East to west |
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I would like to introduce to you :Sicily (Sicilia).Rather more than an Italian region: it's famous for its unique character - and for being a law unto itself. The football that is being kicked by Italy's boot, Sicily lies to the south of the country and just a short distance from the African coast. Its history is intricate and multilayered: quintessentially Mediterranean.
You will be fascinated by my recent photos of hilltop towns with vistas on the blue Mediterranean Sea and also Greek temples placed in a sea of wild fennel and oregano.
I will also show you people making pecorino and ricotta cheese and others making chocolate, wines and delicious foods. This is an island to be visited with an open mind – and a healthy appetite-
I will try to convey the bountiful spirit of this Island in the Sun and its strong soul and hopefully you will find yourself in love with it, as am I.
Nicoletta Machiavelli was born and raised in Florence, Italy, and has lived in Seattle since 1988. She is the owner and operator of V.I.A.V.I. Vita, Aventura, Viaggi (Life, Adventures, Travel). She is a translator and a teacher of the Italian language and Italian cooking, with a passion for sharing her knowledge of the authentic Italy.
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| The Wilds of Untamed Borneo |
| Imagine walking though a 160 million year old primary forest teeming with gigantic sky scraping trees, full of an abundant array of ficus, fern, flowers and fungi while spotting orangutan, silver leaf monkeys, giant squirrels, tarsiers and a host of other forest creatures. Then relax, rejuvenate and experience unparalleled underwater exploration in the picture-perfect cool blue waters off the Western Malaysia coast. Join expert traveler and Wildland Adventures program director Jeff Stivers as he discusses the wonders of traveling in these, the untamed wilds of Borneo. Jeff will discuss his recent explorations of the Malaysian state of Sabah, we’ll look at some of the treasures that travel to this remote destination can uncover such as the largest flower in the world, the man of the wild (Orangutan), pristine coral reefs, and the incredible cuisine that the cultural mélange of Malaysia has to offer.
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| Travel 4 Real |
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December 4 |
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1:00 PM
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112 5th Ave. S.
Edmonds, WA 98020
1-877-225-1994 |
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| Planning your 2011 Trip to Italy |
| No matter if you are an experienced Italy traveler or first timer this seminar will introduce you to the “must sees” and “don’t miss” places you have always read about. We will cover weather, the Euro, North, South and Central Italy. Come away with a workable route to follow and some great suggestions! |
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