Travel Concepts International/The Serious Traveler - Cultural Tours To Better Understand the World a

Web Name: Travel Concepts International/The Serious Traveler - Cultural Tours To Better Understand the World a

WebSite: http://www.serioustraveler.com

ID:203593

Keywords:

Traveler,Serious,Tours,Cultural,Concepts,Travel,The,International,culturaltours,

Description:

keywords:cultural tours, group tours, group trips, iran tours, travel to iran, special group tours, world travel, serious traveler, international tours, international trips, guided tours, guided international tours, escorted group tours, escorted trips
description:For over three decades we have brought members of League of Women Voters together to further the League's position of promoting peace in an interdependent world. League members and friends have enjoyed exciting and exotic international destinations and have met with women's groups from around the world. Most of our tours incorporate home and school visits, embassy briefings and people-to-people contact.
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Travel in the best of company!
Enjoy destinations around the world!

Celebrating 34 years of service! Exciting international cultural tours for citizen diplomats and peacemakers. Featuring home and school visits, Embassy visits, cultural exchanges, as well as highlights and pretrip study material.

Top Guides Small Groups of both Men and Women
Discover the world so you can make a difference!

Share new learning experiences! Expand your horizons!

Well-balanced tours Great values
Our travelers are welcomed as honored guests

The only things I own which are still worth what they cost me are my travel memories, the mind pictures of places which I have seen which I have been hoarding like a happy miser for more than a half a century.

---Burton Holmes, a 19th and 20th century adventurer

Contributed by Jo Weiss, veteran of over 40 of our tours!

Where we're advertising

See us here...

Iranian Film Festival
San Francisco, CA
September 23-24, 2017

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Travel + Leisure Magazine
May 2017

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The Atlantic Magazine April 2017

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Travel + Leisure Magazine
December 2016


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Travel + Leisure Magazine
November 2016

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The Atlantic Magazine
November 2016

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Travel + Leisure Magazine
October 2016

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Real Simple Magazine
August 2016

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The Atlantic Magazine
July/August 2016

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Travel + Leisure Magazine
June 2016

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Smithsonian Magazine
April 2016

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Smithsonian Magazine
March 2016

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Travel + Leisure Magazine February 2016

Guideposts December 2015

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Travel + Leisure Magazine November 2015

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Smithsonian Magazine
October 2015

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The Atlantic
Magazine June 2015

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Travel + Leisure Magazine March 2015

Smithsonian Magazine
December 2014

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Travel + Leisure Magazine
December 2014

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Archaeology Magazine
November/December 2014

Smithsonian Magazine
February 2014

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Smithsonian Magazine
January 2014

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The Atlantic Magazine
January/February 2014

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Rick Steves' Website
listed under American Travel Companies Taking Groups to Iran
and in his special issue

The Atlantic Magazine
April 2012

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Smithsonian Magazine
October 2011

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The Atlantic Magazine
April 2011

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Archaeology Magazine
March/April 2011

New Yorker Magazine
January 17, 2011

Smithsonian Magazine
October 2010

What's New? The Ethiopia's Timkate and Sebaratmu Giorgis Festivals with Tribes of the Omo Valley brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 8/25/19) The November Treasures of Iran with Bahman Zenhari brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 8/18/19) NEW TOURS ADDED FOR 2020: Click here to see our updated listing. (updated 5/19/2019) THIRD IRAN TOUR ADDED FOR 2019: The Treasures of Iran with Bahman Zenhari is now scheduled for November 2 - 19, 2019. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 9/12/2018)

As of 9/9/2018
News from Iran

Our guide, Bahman sends greetings from Iran and several pictures. Find more that we've posted on our Facebook page here.

First Day in Iran

Our group in the village of Masuleh

With the world-famous potter in Natanz

Beneath the arches of Khaju Bridge in Isfahan

See the full Iran itinerary here http://www.serioustraveler.com/ClassicIran.html#Sept

The Wild Europe to the East - The Balkans brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 8/27/18) The April Treasures of Iran with Bahman Zenhari brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 7/30/18) SECOND IRAN TOUR ADDED FOR 2019: The Treasures of Iran with Bahman Zenhari is now scheduled for April 4 - 17, 2019. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 7/23/2018) The Wild Europe to the East: Serbia, Kosovo, Albania Macedonia brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 7/11/18) The Experiences and Encounters in Bulgaria brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 6/21/18) The Treasures of Iran with Bahman Zenhari brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 5/23/18) The Adventures in Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 5/9/18) The Ethiopia's Timkat Sebaratmu Giorgis Festivals and Omo Valley Extension brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 4/25/18) The Crafts Culture of Ecuador brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 4/18/18)

As of 4/14/18
News from Serious Traveler

Travel keeps you young! I enjoyed the wonderful party Jo's Weiss's family put on for her this past weekend in Tacoma WA. Jo has traveled with us to Brazil 90, Bangkok 91,New Zealand 92,Costa Rica 92, Trans Siberian Railway 93, Korea 94, Russia Golden Ring 94, Nepal 95, River 95, Morocco 95, Vietnam 96, Prague 96, Winter Russia 96, Indonesia 97, Uzbekistan 97, Russia Winter 97,Ireland 98, Iceland 98, Russia Winter 98, Spain 99, Iran 99, Iceland 99, Bhutan 00, China Silk Road 00, Provence 01, South China 01, Russian River 02, Prague 03, Cuba 03, Cuba 04, Cuba3/04, Libya 04, Phi Mu France 05, Jordan 06, Romania 07, Emirates 07, Bulgaria 08, Romania 08, Phi Mu Germany 08, Syria 11, Lebanon 11, Russia 14. Happy Birthday, dear Jo! (photo by Fran)

The Wild Europe to the East - The Balkans brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 4/5/18) NEW TOUR ADDED: The Experiences Encounters in Bulgaria is now scheduled for April 20 - May 2, 2019. Click here to view the itinerary. Many new highlights added! (updated 6/7/2018) The Ethiopia's Meskel Festival and Omo Valley Extension brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 3/28/18)

As of 3/24/18
News from Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan

Gwen sends greetings home from Kyrgyzstan and several pictures. Find more that we've posted on our Facebook page here.

Tea at the home of a local teacher named Galina with Yuri in Bishkek

Our local guide in Bishkek wearing traditional hat

Gwen and Yuri with local reciter of poetry

Our comfortable village of yurts in the Tien Shan Mountains

See the full Iran itinerary here http://www.serioustraveler.com/Kyrgyzstan.html

DATE CHANGE: The Persian Classics with Bahman Zenhari brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 3/21/18) The Northwest Caspian tour and Treasures of Iran with Bahman Zenhari brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 3/15/18)

As of 3/9/18
News from Iran

Gwen sends greetings home from Iran and several pictures. Find more that we've posted on our Facebook page here.

Group at Golestan Palace

Group at Fire Temple in Yazd

Toni with children at Chehel Sotoon in Isfahan

Gwen with new friends in Meybod

See the full Iran itinerary here http://www.serioustraveler.com/SpringIran.html

NEW TOUR ADDED: The Northwest Caspian combined with Treasures of Iran led by Mr. Bahman Zenhari is now scheduled for September 1 - 18, 2018. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 2/19/2018)

As of 1/24/18
News from Ethiopia

Gwen sends greetings home from Ethiopia and several pictures. Find more that we've posted on our Facebook page here.

Gwen with Yohannes at Timkat

Group on the road to Simien National Park

Yohannes and Laurene at Timkat

Mike at Blue Nile Falls

An Ethiopian girl at a wedding near Gondar

Handicrafts for sale

Carol at Jewish Temple

Group inside Gondar

See the full Ethiopia itinerary here http://www.serioustraveler.com/Ethiopia1.html#Jan18

As of 12/23/17

As of 11/15/17
News from Iran

Here's what our travelers said upon their return from Iran yesterday:

This was a wonderful and unique travel experience that I will treasure. Great itinerary, fabulous guide who treated us like family and incredible shopping.

Barbara

The meals Bahman ordered or recommended were always good choices and everyone seemed to find their favorite(s). Needless to say we all pretty much got addicted to the saffron ice cream.

I am so glad that a friend gave me your company information so many years ago (before she stopped traveling due to health issues) as I don't think we could have had a better Iranian experience with another company and with anyone except Bahman. He really made the trip.

Thanks again,

Ethel

Group at Cyrus Tomb by Bahman Zenhari

At Golestan Palace by Bahman Zenhari

Barbara S at Saadabad Palace by Bahman Zenhari

Group at dinner by Bahman Zenhari

See the itinerary of their journey here

The Treasures of Iran with Bahman Zenhari brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 11/30/2017) The India's Far North - Ladakh, Punjab Srinagar brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 11/21/2017)

As of 11/15/17
News from Iran

Here's what our travelers said upon their return from Iran yesterday:

This was a wonderful and unique travel experience that I will treasure. Great itinerary, fabulous guide who treated us like family and incredible shopping.

Barbara

The meals Bahman ordered or recommended were always good choices and everyone seemed to find their favorite(s). Needless to say we all pretty much got addicted to the saffron ice cream.

I am so glad that a friend gave me your company information so many years ago (before she stopped traveling due to health issues) as I don't think we could have had a better Iranian experience with another company and with anyone except Bahman. He really made the trip.

Thanks again,

Ethel

Group at Cyrus Tomb by Bahman Zenhari

At Golestan Palace by Bahman Zenhari

Barbara S at Saadabad Palace by Bahman Zenhari

Group at dinner by Bahman Zenhari

See the itinerary of their journey here

As of 10/27/17
News from Bulgaria

Here are your folks having dinner with Stefan in Sofia! I joined them on their farewell dinner. -Yuri Boyanin

Group photo at the Farewell Dinner

See the itinerary of their journey here

The Iceland Circumnavigation brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 10/24/2017) The brochure India's Spring Festivals Tea in the Himalayas is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 10/18/2017)

As of 10/17/17
News from France

Weve had beautiful scenery, good food and camaraderie. Yesterday we rode along the canal by bike. Each morning the river and canals are covered by fog which lifts about 10. The weather has been amazingly beautiful as you [see] from the pictures. -Gwen

Group photo on the Jeanine

Morning fog on the canal

On board the Jeanine

A country church

See the itinerary of their journey here

The Baltic Capitals brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 10/16/2017) The Albania with a Taste of Macedonia Northern Greece brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 8/14/2017)

As of 6/29/17
News from India

Arrived Delhi, flew to Dharamsala and visited Amritsar. We stayed in a houseboat in Srinagar and now head to Ladakh on Saturday. -Gwen

Gwen Ethan arrive Delhi

Chonor House, our Hotel in Dharamsala

Walking through Kangra Fort

View over Srinagar

See the itinerary of their journey here
Or, follow us on Facebook to see all the photos from the trip. Click here

The Mashad Northwest Iran brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 5/26/2017) The Persian Classics brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 5/26/2017) The Treasures of Iran brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 5/26/2017)

As of 5/16/17
News from France

Weve had a good start and are sending pictures to Phi Mu. Weve had two beautiful days of sunshine and now a rainy morning. Two days of rain to come and then sunshine again on Saturday onward we think. Barge and crew are very good. Excellent food of course. -Gwen

Our Phi Mu Foundation group on the MS Jeannine in the Champagne region of France.

Click for larger view

Follow their travels here Click Here

The Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - Jewels of the Silk Road brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 4/3/2017) The Adventures in Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan brochure is now complete. Click here to view the itinerary. (updated 3/20/2017)

As of 2/20/2017
News from Serious Traveler

IMPORTANT

We have postponed our Spring 2017 tours to Iran until a visit is once again favorable. Let us use this time to learn more about welcoming each other. (See this recent article from the NY Times)

As of 1/31/2017
News from Ethiopia

Our travelers bring back good memories and some pictures of their adventure today.

Our guide, Yohannes with traveler Bill by Robin O'Bryan

Our group by Marcia Toder

In the Simien Mountains by Robin O'Bryan

Click for larger view

Travel with us on our next trip to Ethiopia. Click Here

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 11/21/2016

Look for our latest ad in the December 2016 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 10/23/2016

Look for our latest ad in the November 2016 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 10/17/2016

Look for our latest ad in the November 2016 issue of The AtlanticMagazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 9/23/2016

Look for our latest ad in the October 2016 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

Download our NEW Spring 2016 Serious Traveler Click Here. (updated 5/23/2016)

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 5/16/2016

Look for our latest ad in the June 2016 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 3/21/2016

Welcoming Spring Around the World and New Year in Iran

From ancient times March 20 or 21 has been recognized as the spring equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day, or when the Sun leaves the zodiac of Pisces and enters the zodiacal sign of Aries. In Iran, the exact astronomical moment, to the second, is called Saal Tahvil. The beginning of the spring ushers in the start of the Iranian New Year, No-Rooz, which means New Day.

Nowruz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds for thousands of years. It is a secular holiday that originated in Persia but is also celebrated by cultural regions that came under Iranian influence or had migrations by Persians including Azerbaijan, the North Caucasus, Kurdish inhabited regions of eastern Turkey and Northern Iraq, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and other scattered populations in Central Asia.

Nowruz is partly rooted in the religious tradition of Zoroastrianism, the first monotheistic religion, which holds a belief in the struggle between good and evil in the world, and the connection of humans to nature. Good thoughts, good words, good deeds! Zoroastrian practices were dominant for much of the history of ancient Persia (centered in what is now Iran). Nowruz is also a holy day for Sufi Muslims, Bektashis, Ismailis, Alawites, Alevis, Babis and adherents of the Bah' Faith.

One of the traditions is spreading a serving table with specific foods associated with Nowruz: noodles for untying lifes complications, fresh herbs for rebirth, eggs for fertility, and fish for life. Most people used to place Qoran on their Sofreh (spread) in order to bless the New Year. But some people found another alternative to Qoran and replaced it by the Divan-e Hafez (poetry book of Hafez), and during Saal Tahvil reading some verses from it was popular. Nowadays, a great number of Iranians are placing the Shahnameh (the Epic of Kings) of Ferdowsi on their spread as an Iranian national book. They believe that Shahnameh has more Iranian identity values and spirits, and is much more suitable for this ancient celebration.

The UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized the International Day of Nowruz, describing it as a spring festival of Persian origin, which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years.

Partly from the Iran Gazette

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 3/14/2016

In case you forgot to congratulate your friends on March 8th, here's a
belated International Women's Day greeting from Moscow. Maslenitsa is the End of Winter (Butter) Festival. Do you recognize our guide and dear friend Ludmila?

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 2/29/2016

Look for our latest ad in the March 2016 and April 2016 issues of Smithsonian Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

As of 2/14/2016
News from Ethiopia

Greetings from Ethiopia!
Below are a couple pictures from our arrival day in Addis Ababa and visits to museums. Also, here is a youtube video of Lake Tana in Bahirdar http://youtu.be/qFNillGimX0. - Gwen

Click for larger view

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 1/18/2016

Look for our latest ad in the February 2016 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

As of 12/4/2015
News from Cuba

It was a good trip and a nice group (size and personality wise) and we really lucked out with our local guide, Israel (in the photo with Oscar). - Claire S.

Click for larger view

Dear Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving Day! We wish you health, happiness and positive vibes! Be grateful to all the good people you meet in your life and generous to all those in need. Share kindness to strangers and love to friends and family. Explore, travel and find the meaning behind. And let us not forget - if we have plenty, let us not build higher fences, but bigger tables.

All the best from Bulgaria!

Kind regards,
Lyuba, Stefan and Sirma

(posted 11/25/2015)

Tribute to France (11/19/2015)

News from the Serious Traveler

As of 11/9/2015
News from Iran

Having a fabulous time! - Sarah

Our group at Persepolis

Sarah at Khaju Bridge in Isfahan

Posing with the locals outside Bazaar in Kerman.


Click for larger view

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 10/15/2015

Look for our latest ad in the November 2015 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 9/23/2015

Look for our latest ad in the October 2015 issue of Smithsonian Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 7/23/2015
News from Iran

[They are] very happy and will be even happier after visiting Isfahan and going to north part of Iran. Yersterday snd today were great days and you were very much missed. - Bahman

Click for larger view

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 7/16/2015
News from France

Gwen, Thanks for another amazing trip. - Liza

2015 Phi Mu Foundation group photo by Liza S.
aboard the Princesse on the Loire River

Click for larger view

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 5/23/2015

Look for our latest ad in the June 2015 issue of The Atlantic Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 2/17/2015

Look for our latest ad in the March 2015 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 12/22/2014

News from Cuba

Just returned from Cuba in November 2014 - Linda B.

Images from Linda (click for larger view):

Hello Gwen,

I've been meaning to write you and what better time than this historic day! Don't you wish you were there now to hear the church bells ringing? I had a wonderful time on the tour. I was glad to stay again at the Parque Centro as it is efficient and so nicely situated in Habana. Our guides Oscar and Lazaro were accommodating in every way, from the moment we met until our farewell at the airport. I enjoyed the architectural focus to this tour as well as the memorable people-people exchanges. The presenters and lectures were fascinating, and always piqued curiosity and further interest in this beautiful country and its people. As for our meals, we had delicious cuisine in friendly places. (My top favorite was the Vinales farm-table restaurant ). I want to thank Serious Traveler team for accommodating my dietary preferences. I tried to be low-key about it and Oscar was most helpful in communicating to the restaurant staff on my behalf. I had very good meals and found that the restaurants were more than happy to create and prepare a plant-based/ non-dairy entree.

I was able to make some music connections from colleagues in the States. I'm attaching a video of Cato, a well-known and respected Tres player in Havana. Aimee and I ventured down to the Cohiba Hotel one night to hear a jazz group recommended by another Cuban musician that I connected with in Havana.

I took almost 900 photos and 4 little videos. I am now in the process of sorting through them. Unfortunately, I brought a new camera with me and when I returned home, found that it was not the quality I had expected. But I have photos, even if they're not too sharp, and great memories of Cuba 2014!

All the best for now,

Linda Brown

Cato
http://youtu.be/ielKO5EkAzI

Tobacco Leaves
http://youtu.be/QB9iDOIcBtI

Girls Ballet Rehearsal Pro Danza
http://youtu.be/xjzmNf_QZls

Swan Lake Pro Danza
http://youtu.be/33ZRSeiiFQ4

Follow our itinerary at

http://www.serioustraveler.com/Cuba.html#April2015

or
http://www.serioustraveler.com/Cuba.html#_2015

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 11/21/2014

Look for our latest ad in the December 2014 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 11/12/2014
News from Iran

Greetings from Iran photos by our guide, Mr. Bahman Zenhari

Click for larger view. See more photos on our scrapbook page click here

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/Iran.html#Fall14

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 10/23/2014

Look for our latest ad in the upcoming December 2014 issue of Smithsonian Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 10/23/2014

Look for our latest ad in the upcoming November/December 2014 issue of Archaeology Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 10/2/2014
News from Russia

Greetings from Moscow photo by Randall Brubaker

Click for larger view

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/RussiasBest1.html

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 4/20/2014
News from Iran

Greetings from Stonehenge photo by Cathy St. Clair

Click for larger view

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/London1.html

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 2/21/2014
News from Iran

Greetings from Yazd, Iran photo by Gwen Erwood

Click for larger view

See the whole photo album of 198 pictures by Gwen Click here

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/TreasuresIran.html#Treasures

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 11/21/2013

Look for our latest ad in the upcoming January 2014 issue of Smithsonian Magazine

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 10/31/2013
News from Iran

First photo as our travelers arrive Tehran, Iran photo by Gwen Erwood
View more photos as Gwen continues her travels click here

Click for larger view

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/Iran.html#Fall13

Plus new dates added for 2014 Passage Through Persia

November 4 - 19, 2014 Click here to preview itinerary

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 8/19/2013
Many of those who have traveled to Egypt through the years have had the pleasure of meeting my dear friend Khadiga. I received this message from her Click here

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 5/10/2013
News from Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany

Our travelers today photos by David Lewis

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/CentralEurope.html

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 1/28/2013
News from Burma and Thailand

It's a wonderful trip. Group is good, hotels and guide great. - Gwen Erwood

See all the pictures as they arrive from Gwen and our travelers in Burma and Thailand Click Here

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/SouthEastAsia.html

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 11/8/2012
News from Iran

The people here are just delightful! When they ask me where I am from and I say, 'America, USA', they reply, 'We love America!' If only everyone was able to travel as I do! Just getting to know people makes you understand what a small world it is. Bahman is doing well with us, and we have a great driver. It is really a delux trip having such a small group. Cheers, Carol

Follow our itinerary at
http://www.serioustraveler.com/Iran1.html#Fall12

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 3/22/2012
Picture from Gwen Erwood

Long time accordion player and former Avon executive, Frank Stanitski, jams with Cuban musicians during the March People to People trip to Havana. - Gwen Erwood

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 3/12/2012
Picture from Paula Cornyn of our group in South India, January 2012

South India - Experience the Extraordinary, January 7 - 20, 2013 Click Here

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 1/30/2012
Picture from Elaine Isbell of Gwen Erwood and friend in Cuba

Just back from Cuba - a fabulous People-to-People trip. The March trip is sold out, but we're scheduling for January and March 2013 now. Let us know if you're interested. - Gwen Erwood

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 11/4/2011
Pictures from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan by Paulette Lewis

Click these links to see them all Click Here or Click Here

Travel with us on this tour in October 2012 Click here

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 7/11/2011
Pictures from Romania by David Lewis

Click these links to see them all Click Here or Click Here

See the itinerary they took through Romania Click here
Travel with us on this tour in 2012 Click here

News from the Serious Traveler

Posted 6/13/2011
Pictures from Bulgaria by David Lewis

Click these two links to see them all Click Here or Click Here

See the itinerary as they travel through Bulgaria Click here
Travel with us on this tour in 2012 Click here

News from the Serious Traveler

April 20, 2011
Greetings from Lebanon! We arrived from Syria yesterday afternoon after crossing the border, visiting Baalbek (a huge and amazing Roman city), stopping for lunch of famous Lebanese mezze and more, a taste of wine and tour through caves dating from the Roman period and then crossing the mountains, out of the clouds down to Beirut on the coast of a shimmering Mediterranean Sea. We just completed our first day of sightseeing that took us to the National Museum where we learned about the Phoenicians who had the first phonetic alphabet (get it -- Phoenicians-phonetic?); then to a mountain riddled with subterranean caves. Jetta is vying with a couple dozen other natural sites for the new 7 natural wonders of the world, and all agreed it should be included (along with the Grand Canyon and Halong Bay.) A stop at Byblos was amazing too. The site dates back to the third millennium BC, as do many other sites in what we know as the Cradle of Civilization along the Fertile Crescent. This area is the fabled birthplace of the Greek god Adonis. A city tour revealed stunning new buildings with the most exclusive shops side by side with excavations from Roman times. The city is also riddled with reminders of devastating wars. No one here wants another, and the neighboring Syrians don't either.

Every day has been a delight and we wish everyone who had intended to go with us, was actually here. It is close to midnight, and we head north to the Cedars of Lebanon tomorrow morning. The group is most congenial and we lingered over dinner, while Paulette and others regaled us with amusing travel stories. Even the national basketball team who was sharing the lovely dining room at the Radisson couldn?t ignore our laughter. Our travelers are the best. I must turn in, but will try to write more later. The same Paulette has taken hundreds of pictures and Ann had volunteered to edit them, so eventually we will put our experiences in writing and into a slideshow. Right now we are drinking up all the wonderful sensations of travel to new places.

Gwen

Photo by Paulette Lewis. View all the photos by Paulette in Syria Click Here or in Lebanon Click Here

See the itinerary as they travel through Syria and Lebanon Click here

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Travel Concepts International, Inc.
Cultural Tours to Better Understand the World and Its People

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wen@SeriousTraveler.com Web site www.SeriousTraveler.com




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For over three decades we have brought members of League of Women Voters together to further the League's position of promoting peace in an interdependent world. League members and friends have enjoyed exciting and exotic international destinations and have met with women's groups from around the world. Most of our tours incorporate home and school visits, embassy briefings and people-to-people contact.

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