The Balkans 2012

Here is all the information for the 2012 spring break trip to the Balkans: Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Fantastic!

Travelers past, present, and future, I'm thinking ahead to future travels and I'd love to have your feedback. Do any of these trips interest you? Would you go if any of them are offered? Do you have other suggestions or requests? With the prices running in the $3200-$3500 range, would you favor cutting corners on, for example, accommodations, or do you value comfort over a little extra cost? [Note: in China I stayed in hostels and loved them]. Post comments here or e-mail packlite@uakron.edu NOW PERU We're able to extend the deadline a few more weeks. If you've been thinking about what to do this summer that is fun, unusual, and memorable, join us for the August 2-11 trip to the Amazon rain forest and Lima. There will be animals galore, good company, and one astounding experience after another! Let me know if you're ready. I welcome your interest and participation! SPRING 2011 (March) SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE: BUDAPEST—VIENNA—SALZBURG Three cities that are among the most beautiful in the world. The first two capitals are on the Danube and Salzburg is nestled in the mountains. A culturally & historically rich area that invites endless exploration. TURKEY: ISTANBUL—EPHESUS Istanbul is a lively, fascinating city with great monuments dating to its founding as the eastern capital of the Roman Empire. The beautiful Mediterranean coastline takes us to Ephesus, once the second largest city in the world and now one of the most important historical sites. In between there are many places of interest from the site of ancient Troy to the last home of the Virgin Mary. Something more "conventional"? SPAIN: MADRID-BARCELONA—and more! From ancient ruins to medieval mosques & castles to eye-poppiing modern architecture Spain has it all. And the weather in March is good! SUMMER 2012 (early August) INDONESIA including BALI How about something different? Since it takes so much time to get there and back, take about two weeks to see, experience, and absorb. We visit the jungles of Java and study its great history and architecture, including the magnificent temple at Borobudur. Then break up the sightseeing with a few relaxing days on the beaches of exotic Bali. Perhaps we also visit the storied island of Borneo before heading home. CHINA: HONG KONG—THE SOUTH AND WEST—TIBET Bustling Hong Kong is a tour unto itself. The landscape of southern China is unique and astounding (as any viewer of the wonderful film The Painted Veil knows). Yunnan and Szechuan provinces have jungle and mountains, from the entrancing city of Dali to the panda forests. Tibet is home to a fascinating culture amid the highest mountains in the world. This trip would offer matchless sights and experiences! Are the above too challenging? Would you rather have something more mainstream, e.g., GREECE: THE ISLANDS Cruising the waters of the Mediterranean to visit the storied Greek islands. What's not to like? I hope you find these ideas appealing and that we next year we'll be gathering at the airport for one or two of these journeys!

Amazin' Amazon Travelers

Amanda Comer

Kathleen Hanlon

Steven Koegler

Marilyn Messina

Barbara Weinstein

Paul Weinstein

Peru PowerPoint

Download the PowerPoint presentation on the Aug. 3-11 trip to the Peruvian Amazon & Lima.

http://gozips.uakron.edu/~pbweins/Peru.PPTX

Summer 2011 Adventure

Spring trip!

Join me on a spring trip to Israel and Jordan! Registration is open NOW! I'll post updates and participants as warranted.

Let's go!

Russia

Impressions of Russia... formed and limited by a 10-day visit spent for the most part in the two largest and likely most advanced cities...

I was told that Russians tend to be guarded and found this to be true. They are helpful when asked but I really wished we had had opportunity for more personal relationships. Our guides were really the only Russians with whom we had extended contact. Both of them took a while to loosen up but were warm and funny when they did.

While for the peasantry misery was a step up, Russian wealth of the royalty has to be seen to be believed. The palaces and collections of art, jewelry, table services, carriages, etc., reduced as they are by the years, made me understand better than ever the revolutionaries. After viewing the Armory in the Kremlin I was ready to sign up with the Bolsheviks.

On the other hand, it was heartening to visit the Park of Fallen Idols and see the statues of Lenin, Stalin, and others relegated to being historical curiosities. However, the looming hulk of Lubyanka, the old HQ for the Soviet security apparatus ( variously Cheka, NKVD, & KGB, now FSB) is a reminder of how heavily history sits on this landscape. I do wish we could have gone inside, just to the basement to see where

Old traditions remain... the Russians still retreat in the summer to their countryside homes (dachas). Although we traveled a fine highway to a couple of the "Golden Ring" historic towns near Moscow, the guides often referred to the generally bad condition of roads in Russia. That's easily understood in so vast a land, but it points to continuing infrastructure challenges. I imagine that in winter villages are snowed in for long periods just as they have been forever.

Game meats are often on the restaurant menus, e.g. venison and rabbit. Russian cuisine is not especially vegetarian-friendly. My favorites included the borscht (pronounced without the "t'), both hot and cold, and the blini, Russian pancakes or crepes with a wide choice of fillings. Potatoes and beets are among the most commonly served vegetables. The closer to the equator, the spicier the cuisine, don't you think? The opposite is also true, and I never saw a hot pepper. Ah, but the Russians do love sour cream!

AND it's the only country I've ever been where a souvenir shop offers free tea, coffee, and shots of vodka!