Archive for category: Travel

TRIP DATES: Oct 24 2015 – return date up to you but most of us will fly back on Nov 4th 2015

3 Countries in one EuroCircle Adventure!
Namibia, Botswana, Zambia

This classic expedition showcases some of the best that Africa has to offer. Journey from Namibia, across Botswana and on to Zambia on an authentic African adventure that includes the elephants of Chobe National Park. Meet San Bushmen in the blazing Kalahari and explore the Okavango Delta by dug-out mokoro canoe. We will have an overnight in bushmen huts for an utterly unique experience. This tour is the trip of a lifetime! What’s Included:
• Kalahari Desert visit
• Okavango Delta excursion with entrances, game walks and dug-out canoe trips
• Maun sunset boat cruise
• Bird-watching guided walk
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
• 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners. (Allow USD190-250 for meals and drinks not included.)
• Air-conditioned touring vehicle, walking, mokoro, ferry
• Chief Experience Officer (CEO)/driver throughout, local guides.

SHORT ITINERARY:
Day 1 Windhoek
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Kalahari (Ghanzi) (1B)
Explore the Kalahari Desert. Learn fascinating survival skills by the local San Bushmen on an optional walk and choose to enjoy a traditional bushmen dance in the evening.

Day 3-4 Maun/Okavango Delta (2B, 1L, 1D)
Prepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the delta. Enjoy game walks and traditional mokoro excursions in Maun. Learn the ways of the bush from the local polers. Opt to take a scenic flight over the delta.

Day 5 Nata Area (1B,1D)
Opt for a sunset visit to the salt pans of Makgadikgadi in dry season. Watch the elephants drink from the camp’s watering hole at night.

Day 6 Chobe Area (1B)
Opt to embark on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River or on an open safari vehicle game drive.

Day 7 Livingstone (1B)
Ferry crossing into Zambia. Visit Victoria Falls, enjoy whitewater rafting, canoeing, or fly over the falls.

Day 8 Livingstone
Depart at any time.
For the full itinerary, please log into your Eurocircle account and click here

Travel Leader: Sherry Kumar

In 2011, Sherry invited other EuroCircle members to travel with her on her first international journey. That year, members from Brazil, India, Colombia, Peru, Serbia, Greece, China and USA met up for the first time in the beautiful city of Istanbul. Since then, we have visited Peru, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, India and UAE. Everywhere we meet, we make wonderful friends from across the globe, and create memories to last a lifetime.
For more information about Sherry and her trips, please log into our forums. To book this trip, please contact Sherry Kumar.

Traveler bio: Born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria, Alex is an IT Consultant who lives in Aspen, Colorado. His career takes him to exotic locations like Dubai and the metropolises of south-east Asia.
Alex has joined two EuroCircle trips thus far, Peru, 2012 and Cambodia & Vietnam, 2013. This year, we look forward to catching up with him in India, 2014.

1. Having traveled with you for a couple of years now, I can safely say that you are one of the most jolly travelers we have had so far. You are always so relaxed and easy-going. What’s your secret for dealing with a big group and a tight itinerary?

Vodka.

2. Peru was a tough journey for most of the members. We traveled two days to reach Machu Pichu, then battled altitude sickness in Cuzco. Yet, you were the only one who was unfazed by the ordeal. How did you keep your cool?

Pisco Sour.

3. Asia was a big change for Eurocircle Travels. Not only was it a longer journey, but our travel style changed to make the itinerary exclusive to Eurocircle members. As a result we spent much more time together as a group. What did you think of the itinerary?

I liked it very much. For me Vietnam with its communist points of interest was the weakest link in the trip. But the boat trip was one of the highest points. I guess there was a good balance.

4. If you could change anything about our trips, what would that be?

I would do some screening on new people. The Asian trip had a couple of “difficult” people, who were not so pleasant.

5. I’m a bit anxious about taking the members to India this year. It’s an even tougher journey, and I’m worried how members will adjust to seeing all the poverty there. Do you have any travel advice for people visiting south-east Asia or India for the first time?

I would recommend if possible to stay away from the slums. The site of misery can be quite shocking for ordinary Americans. If there is no way around it and the slums are a must part of the trip, I would recommend for us to see some movies on the subject. For example the Slum Dog Millionaire or Black Cat White Cat can be a good start. Or maybe if there was one of those euro-circle gathering that includes an hour of a National Geography channel Indian Poverty series preview could help. Even if there is no organized preparation event you might send a link to the group. With the google results of “Preparing for a trip to India” search. You will be surprised what comes up. The list of references goes pretty deep.

6. You are a quite a globe trotter yourself. I always wonder what compels a seasoned, independent traveler to join a group. Enlighten me.

I usually travel on business with some delivery responsibilities. Joining a group of cool people and going to places I have not been before is quite an adventure. Since my wife does not like to travel it would be very difficult for me to find company for a trips like that.

7. What do you look forward to the most from India, 2014?

I am working with a lot of Indian Technology people. In this sense I will be looking forward to learn how to recognize their cast in the society. I guess there might be a way by their names to recognize which part of the country they come from and which cast they might belong to. I am also very interested in the Hindu and Buddhism. My personal philosophy is very much aligned with the Buddhism philosophy. I believe that our souls are borrowed or leased for the period of life time. I will be looking to get more inside while visiting India.

Alexander at Facebook
Alexander at EuroCircle

EuroCircle Travels is an annual program, that takes our members on a global adventure. So far, we have explored the silk markets of Istanbul, trekked to the top of Machu Pichu, raced tuk-tuks in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and sailed down Halong Bay for an unforgettable experience. If you would like more information about our upcoming trip to India, please E-mail Me ASAP!

As a perk for all Eurocircle travelers, we have condensed .pdf travel guides. They are easy to read on your mobile device, and best of all, they are FREE for all Eurocircle members.
To obtain a copy, let me know your destination, and your e-mail address, and I will forward a copy to you. (E-mail Me Your Request with all details)

Looking forward to traveling with you,

Sherry Kumar
E-mail Sherry

Ready to join Eurocircle on another adventure at the beginning of November 2014?

For full itinerary go to the forum:
INDIA ITINERARY
YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO EUROCIRCLE.COM TO VIEW THE ITINERARY

Last year’s Eurocircle 2013 Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia was a life-changing journey through SE Asia, and its spectacular sights.

This year, we are traveling to Incredible India!

For full itinerary go to the forum:
INDIA ITINERARY

Once again, Eurocircle members from all over the world will descend upon New Delhi, and begin an 8 day journey (plan to arrive on Nov 1) in New Delhi through India’s Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra & Jaipur). We will explore the land of the Mughals and the Rajputs, enjoy a sunrise visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal, then visit “The Land of the Kings” Rajasthan. Our journey concludes at Ranthambore, for a private Tiger Safari!

On our way, we will taste exotic Indian cuisine, ride elephants and sleep in palaces!

But that’s not all. Travelers with more time, will be able to add on extensions to scenic Goa or regal Mumbai.

All travel will be arranged by me, so please message me directly to book. This year, I am limiting the group to 16 travelers, and since space is limited, please make your deposits early.

I am looking forward to another amazing adventure with you!

Sherry Kumar
EUROCIRCLE
Moving in the Right Circles

To book or make any changes for your trip please contact me (Sherry Kumar) via EuroCircle forums, FB messenger or Email Me.

Many people know of Vietnam from history books and one of the most tragic wars of our time for both American and the Vietnamese people. While there are no exact figures, it has been estimated that between 55-60,000 Americans were killed during the Vietnam War, and approximately 1-2,000,000 Vietnamese were killed. Bear in mind that most counts of fatalities for the Vietnam War apparently do not take into account war-related deaths in Cambodia and Laos.

What people don’t know if that Hanoi in Vietnam is considered to be the most beautiful city in all of Asia. The city has two dozen lakes and on the edge of the city the roads dissolve into a maze of winding and narrow wooded lanes.

A majority of the city and people who live in Vietnam get around on bicycles and motorbikes. There are also meter taxis and hired cars that you can take to get around Hanoi and other cities.

Within the north end of the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is where all of the tourist shops, inexpensive hotel and cafes are located. It is the oldest and busiest as well as most interesting part of the city. This district is also known as the “Old Quarter”, “Ancient Quarter” as well as “36 streets.” The 36 little streets in the quarter are each named for a commodity once sold by all of the businesses on the streets. For example, they are named for medicine, jewelry, fans, copper etc. The more you explore the more interesting stuff you will find such as lacquer ware makers, tinsmiths, tailors.

The city of Hanoi is very compact making it easy to get around for sightseeing. While in Hanoi go to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the most visited and revered site in Vietnam. This shrine was built on the edge of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Vietnam to more than half a million countrymen in 1945, after Japan surrendered.

Note: Ho Chi Minh, real name Nguyen Tat Thanh (1890-1969), Vietnamese Communist leader and the principal force behind the Vietnamese struggle against French colonial rule. On September 3, 1969, he died in Hanoi of heart failure. In his honor, after the Communist conquest of the South in 1975, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh was the soul of the revolution and of Vietnam’s struggle for independence. His personal qualities of simplicity, integrity, and determination were widely admired, not only within Vietnam but elsewhere as well.

You can continue on to the Ho Chi Minh Museum which is Vietnam’s most important architectural achievement. It opened in 1990 to commemorate Ho’s’ centenary. The exhibit’s chronicles his busy early years.

Your tour should continue on to the Van Mieu known as the (Temple of Literature) and Quoc Tu Giam (National University) which offers much serenity once you are through its towering gates.

They make one of Asia’s loveliest spots and show some of Vietnam’s most amazing religious structures and historical treasures. There are great pools filled with Lotus that are blooming and date back to 1076.

These are just some of the amazing sites that you will see in Vietnam and Hanoi

During the 1980s, I lived and worked in Germany (I’m originally from England, however). I had 6 weeks paid vacation, and always made good use of it. My then boyfriend and I frequently visited the USA for 4-5 weeks at a time, discovering its beauty and its vastness, and with the generous vacation time we both had, we were really able to explore and get to know the areas we visited. In my wildest dreams, I never expected that just a few years later, in the mid-1990s, I would be actually living in the USA!In 1993 I left Germany and joined a cruise ship based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Whilst there I met my husband, and two years later joined him in Florida. At that time, I couldn’t imagine ever going back to a cold climate or a dull, grey city.

The sun and sand was all I needed. After 11 years in Florida, during which time becoming a US citizen (whilst retaining my British citizenship….), we moved to Atlanta. We’ve now lived here for 6 years, and Atlanta certainly does have a lot to offer. Now, the reason I brought up the vacation time at the beginning is because one of the things I want to touch on about life in the US is the very sparse vacation time. Whilst this doesn’t apply to everyone, the general norm is 1-3 weeks. In my current job, I get one week. One week!!! It’s barely enough time to get unpacked…

After being here for so long, I’ve also learned that sun and sand does not a life make. There is nothing in the US that really compares to a Paris, or a Rome, a London or a Berlin, even though New York is a close contender and I hear San Francisco is very cool. There are times when I yearn for the cobbled streets of a quaint village with the local pub, the butcher and the bakery, or for a big vibrant city that I can actually walk around. I would love to be able to hop on a bus, train or tram to go shopping, or to go to an appointment, or even to get to work.

I often miss the lifestyle of Europe, quite different from here. But could it be that the grass is always greener? When we get visitors from England, they comment on how lucky we are to be able to live here. They talk about the space, the cleanliness, the trees, the food, the laid back vibe. They comment on how affordable everything is, and how we would never be able to afford this kind of lifestyle “back home”. And after 2-3 weeks of enjoying every moment, they head back home, always reminding me to come and visit.

I would love to. If I only had more vacation time…

by Vicki Cimkentli (Linkedin profile)