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Winter E-Newsletter, 2008
Singles Travel
Some of our customers are quite nervous at the start of trips wondering if they'll get along with everyone or be able to keep up. Within minutes of arrival they realize they are surrounded by fun-loving women of generous hearts and that they are in a space where learning new outdoor skills is easy and relaxed. NBC News reports that 25% of Americans have traveled alone on vacation in the past four years. We encourage you to put aside your fears of traveling alone and you'll be well rewarded - promise! Women revel in the company of other women and speak often, near the end of the trip, about how enriching it has been for their souls. Many comment that they wished they'd taken a trip like this sooner and others vow to treat themselves to a women's trip every year. As we embark upon our 12th year planning and leading multi-activity adventure trips for women, we are full of gratitude for all of the marvelous women that we have met along the way.
Plan Your Vacation EARLY!
As a Tour Operator, my life is obviously made easier when our customers sign up for trips earlier than later. There are also advantages for you – the most significant being the savings on flights. The earlier you book on most airlines, the less you pay – certainly for overseas destinations. So I encourage you all to call us (928) 282-0916 and confirm your seat on the trip you have chosen. TheI sooner we reach the minimum on your trip, the sooner you can book your flight.
Gift for Omaramutu Marae (Maori homeland)
Those of you who have traveled on our previous 13 trips to New Zealand know that it is customary to present a gift at the end of our stay. While I was recuperating from knee surgery in New Zealand, I was walking/hobbling along the beach and noticed that there were many flat rocks scattered about – the kind that would make good skipping stones! I decided to start collecting them and to make a “Welcome” mat. You can see the finished piece in the picture. It’s six feet long and weighs 48 pounds! It was a really fun project and I think our Maori friends are going to like it when we walk onto the marae February 18.
Giving Back – and Receiving
Travel is an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the world. Our group who traveled to Morocco in April 07 bought an extra bag each full of school supplies, toys and drug store items. The gifts were well received but as is so often the case, we who gave received so much more in return. The cultural interaction was enriching. In one classroom we sang for the kids and they were delighted to sing in return. The teacher was SO grateful for the pens and supplies we left. Our four travelers who work in the medical field were able to instruct the village women how to use the headache tablets and other supplies. One helped a lady with an injured arm which was blue from a tightly applied bandage. Toothbrushes were the biggest hit and we’ll be sure and take many more of them on this year’s trip. Everyone drinks sweetened mint tea so tooth decay is epidemic. Morocco is a fascinating country to visit and our schedule offers wonderful cultural interaction opportunities. Consider joining our trip this year, April 22 – May 3. We still have seats left.
Featured Trip – Arizona Spectacular
Those unfamiliar with Arizona are amazed at the elevation here in the central and northern regions. Actually, it is snowing as I write to you here in Sedona at 4,500’! That elevation ensures cooler temperatures and a different adventure travel season than southern Arizona, obviously governed by the heat. Actually, the only thing preventing March through October adventure travel in northern Arizona is the flash flooding occurring late June through August. Our Arizona trip May 10 – 17 visits the Hopi, Navajo and Havasupai reservations and our activities ensure interaction with the locals. We enjoy the amazing scenery of Monument Valley, Antelope slot canyon, Horseshoe Bend and of course the Grand Canyon. Highlights are the jeep ride into Canyon de Chelly, boating to Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell, swimming in the blue green waters at Havasu at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and the helicopter ride out. We also have a trip option called Best of the West, combining our Arizona and Utah trips. This is offered June 18 – 27 and September 10 – 19.
Featured Trip – Go Greece
Our adventure trip (May 10 – 17) captures all that is Greece: islands and mainland, village and city, ancient and modern plus time for adventure and rest. Dine in tavernas on cuisine considered the healthiest on the planet. Island-hop through the Cyclades from the caldera of Santorini to the windmills of Mykonos. Hike through tiny villages to see the dovecotes on the island of Tinos. Roam the great sites of Athens’ and view all from the splendid Acropolis. Explore the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora and visit the ancient site of the Delphic Oracle. Greek guides will share their classical history. Memories of marble columns, roadside poppies, goats bleating, tiny churches, blue skies, white cubic homes and idyllic Mediterranean beaches will be yours to treasure forever.
Recommended Book – Eat, Pray, Love
A customer recommended Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Eat, Pray, Love” to me and I highly recommend it as a wonderful mixture of travel and spirituality. Publishers Weekly wrote: Plagued with despair after a nasty divorce, the author, in her early 30s, divides a year equally among three dissimilar countries, exploring her competing urges for earthly delights and divine transcendence.
2008 Trips
We look forward to traveling with you in 2008!
Happy Trails!
Cheryl
funtrips@canyoncalling.com
928.282.0916
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