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TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT
ECUADOR
"In the Quito market we followed behind a premier chef as he introduced the best offerings of each vendor's stall. We continued on with the samplings in hand to a nearby verandah
overlooking the city, taste testing and then sitting down for seven courses (or was it eight?) while learning about the local fare and sipping the perfectly paired wines . . ."
This was one of the highlights of a recent group trip to Ecuador, a country that we love as a travel destination because of the wide and unique variety of landscapes and experiences, the scenic beauty
and the warm, friendly people. Other highlights included: swimming with sharks, sea lions and turtles in the Galapagos, the lush beauty of the Andes, excursions to the Amazon and the splendid hacienda accommodations.
Check out what some of the sojourners'
had to say about their
RECENT VISIT
Interested? We're happy to put a similar
experience together for you.
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SOJOURNERS' TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Continuing Series: AFRICA HAS THE MAGIC TOUCH WHEN IT COMES TO FAMILY TRAVEL
Captivated by the land, sky and living creatures- families are able to appreciate the amazing moments of an African sojourn together
 December 2008 the Eidam family embarked for Tanzania, their travels spanning five weeks and redefining family adventure. Ellie, the matriarch of this band of travelers recounts the experience:My husband Don and I had been talking
for years about dropping out with our family and going on an adventure.
We have three children, Madie age 12, Luke age 10, and Josh age 7. We
have always felt that our weeklong or 10 day vacations have been a really
great bonding time for our family. With so many distractions for all
of us at home, getting away has always been a chance for us to focus
on each other.
We saw our opportunity to really get
away, when Don celebrated his 20 year anniversary with his firm. He
decided to give himself the gift of a mini-sabbatical. Once this
was decided, the big question was "Where to go?"
 We wanted this to be a big trip and
Africa was the biggest adventure we could imagine. Of course the
wildlife was a huge draw, but we really wanted to meet the people and
learn about their lives and their culture. We wanted this to be
a special, truly memorable trip and knew from talking with people who
had been there that Africa had that kind of impact.
We chose Tanzania because we wanted
to focus on one country and felt we could find everything we were hoping
for there. The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Maasai, as
well as beautiful beaches and sea life on Zanzibar and Chumbe Island. Click to continue reading....
Trips like this one are what Global Sojourns specializes in. We have organized many successful family sojourns after getting to know the family and their travel goals-- helping create special memories for a lifetime. If you are thinking about family travel, contact us for more info.
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Go for the Soccer . . . Stay for a Safari
Tickets for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa have been on sale since February, grab yours soon and plan to make the trip even more incredible with a safari extension or perhaps a tour of the famed South African Garden Route.
Check out tips for buying World Cup tickets and contact Global Sojourns for great travel options in South Africa
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RESPONSIBLE SOJOURNER
After the acclaim of Slumdog Millionaire, interest has been stirred in what is being called "slum tourism." Touring the poorest areas in cities throughout places like India, Africa and Mexico has raised questions concerning whether or not this kind of tourism is ethical and ways to transform it into a respectful, mutually beneficial and educational endeavor.  For Global Sojourns, we want clients to have a deeper experience with the places they visit and we are very sensitive as to how to responsibly accomplish this. We have recently partnered with Uthando in Cape Town, a non-profit that provides clients with a great overview of the political and social context of the townships and the community organizations within the townships working for change. Part of the tour cost is given back to these community organizations, and tours are run sparingly to avoid disruption. Learn more about Uthando Read more: Slumming It: Can Slum Tourism be Done Right?
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TRAVEL INCENTIVES
The Kenya Tourist Board has announced that it will reduce the cost of Kenya visas for tourists by 50
percent beginning April 1, 2009, and continuing through all of
2010. Additionally, in recognition of the family travel segment, Kenya
will waive visa fees completely for children under 16 years of age during this
same time period.
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TRIPS IN THE WORKS
| Where
in the World Would You Like to Go?
While our specialty is
customizing itineraries for our clients, we do offer a few group trips each
year because they are always so interesting and such great fun.
 Giving Circle Trip to Southern AfricaAugust 13 - 27th 2009
(Option: August 13 - 23rd)
Experience in-depth the richness & magic of Africa on this unique trip, exploring the land, it's people and the issues facing them.
The GSGC is returning to
this area to connect and gain insights from the people who benefit from and
work for grass-roots organizations that we support in Cape Town and Livingstone. Witness micro-lending in action, spend time
listening to the recipients' stories and understand their struggles and hopes
for the future. Meet the children who we support with school supplies and join them on a special outing. In order to take in all the sights in this incredible
region of the world, we will mix in an unforgettable safari experience. View ITINERARY Act now for a PRICE SPECIAL until April 21st!
We may be a little biased but this
really is an extraordinary price and itinerary; carefully put together
to maximize time and opportunities. Join us on this very unique trip!
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JUST FOR FUN
On the Telly:
 HBO is featuring a television series based on the novels The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Entirely shot on location in Botswana, tune in for the beautiful scenery and fun story lines highlighting life in Botswana.
The series started back in March but check your TV listings for reruns on HBO.
 Did You Know?The African continent has surpassed North America in terms of mobile subscribers with the fastest growing mobile market in the world.
Source:African Business Magazine, March 2009
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2735720397/
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We hope you've enjoyed our newsletter, Off The Beaten Path and that you will share it with friends. May it provide you with travel ideas, stories and tips that inform and inspire.
Priscilla Macy
Global Sojourns
Global Sojourns customizes itineraries for individuals and small groups to Africa and around the globe. Through a commitment to responsible tourism and relationships with local experts, we provide you with trips that balance outdoor adventures with cultural insights and authentic interactions with local people. We are passionate about our work and providing you with fun, meaningful and memorable travel experiences.
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