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 The “Wonders of the World” be they natural,
manmade, ancient or modern, hold the history of the past and transmit to us the
magic of the ages. The Greeks coined the phrase with their 7 Ancient Wonders,
limited to their worldview, but the world is filled with sites that inspire man
whether created by his craft or the hand of nature.
The prehistoric henges of Europe, the pyramids of
Egypt and Meso-America, the ruins of the Greco-Roman Empire all arouse awe. The
temples, churches and mosques of the world’s great religions — all wonders of
design and expressions of faith — move the visitor regardless of religious
affiliation. Nature’s grandeur; the great canyons, waterfalls and rock
formations have from time immemorial inspired ancient peoples and continue to
cast their spell on us today.
I love history and heritage, they are for me the
reason for wandering the world. Like a trip back in time, travel allows one to
experience the sights, sounds, smells and imagine the people that walked the
land for millennium. These ghosts of the past have left their mark, and the
truly exceptional sites of the world retain a power that is palpable to even the
most casual visitor.
This month’s tour hosts are the best examples I
have found, to guide the cultured traveler through the maze of world wonders.
Discover their world through their articles and then explore in person the
wonders of the world.
This
month's tour hosts review:
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Ancient World Tours Ltd
Pick of
the Month |
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Location: Middle East
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| Specialty: History of ancient sites |
| Why
We Like Them: Travel back in time to remote archeological sites,
experience the vast beauty of the desert and visit nomadic tribes with the
expert guides of Ancient World Tours Ltd. Local and academic guides introduce
travelers to the history and majesty of some of the world’s most wondrous sites;
Petra, the great Pyramids, Leptis Magna, Machu Picchu, Lhasa, Troy and the
Sterkfontein Valley, home to man over 1 million years ago. With over two dozen
tours on four continents, Ancient World Tours Ltd offers unparallel insight to
the world’s great heritage sites and ancient cultures. |
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Mayatour |
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Location: Mexico and Central America |
| Specialty: Mayan history and archeology |
| Why
We Like Them: Providing a focused study of Mayan archeological sites
throughout Mexico and Central America, Mayatour offers an in-depth insight to
this fascinating culture. Traditional local lodges and expert guides introduce
the traveler to the mysteries and history of the Maya. Offering over a dozen
scheduled tours, customized trips can be arranged for specific interests. |
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Article:
Remote El Mirador Eclipses Tikal! |
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Tibetan Expeditions |
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Location: Tibet |
| Specialty: Expedition journeys |
| Why
We Like Them: Offering a fabulous collection of scheduled and custom
trips throughout Tibet’s various regions and the neighboring countries, Tibetan
Expeditions offers travelers a great opportunity to experience the wonders;
artistic, religious and historical of this isolated nation. Challenging
“expedition” style journeys, introduce the traveler to the spectacular scenery,
great monasteries and shrines. Special emphasis is placed on attending
traditional and religious festivals as well as local events. |
|
Article:
Sacred Tibet – Mount Kailash |
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TraveLearn, Inc. |
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Location: Worldwide |
| Specialty:
Learning vacations |
| Why
We Like Them: This Company’s
"tourism as cultural learning" philosophy insures that each
trip introduces travelers to historic sights and native peoples. Covering a wide
array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the trips focus on fostering an
understanding between travelers and destinations while providing a thorough
understanding of different cultures’ current and past achievements. |
|
Article:
China: the
Wonders |
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Art of Paris Tours |
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Location: Paris |
| Specialty: Art and history tours |
| Why
We Like Them: Providing travelers an enlightening and cultural look into
the history and culture of Paris both past and present, Art of Paris Tours
offers a journey of discovery by exploring the art treasures of France in the
company of an art historian. |
|
Article:
The Louvre |
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MagicalSpain |
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Location: Spain |
| Specialty: Historic, cultural and culinary tours |
| Why
We Like Them: Focusing on the history and culture of Spain, MagicalSpain
offers group departures and arranges custom tours including visits to some of
Spain’s most famous festivals, historic sites and culinary destinations. With so
many layers of history through the centuries, it’s hard to imagine discovering
them all, but MagicalSpain brings the past to life, to create an integrated,
authentic Spanish experience |
|
Article:
Spain's Most Unforgettable Place? |
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Journeys Within |
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Location: SE Asia |
| Specialty: B&B accommodations and small group tours |
| Why
We Like Them: Local guides, and eco-friendly attitude and a love of the
region combine to insure that all travelers with Journeys Within, experience the
real ”Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam". Scheduled departure, or customized
trips and personal services assure that all travel needs can be matched with the
perfect experience. A friendly B&B assures you are guests and opens your eyes to
life in Siem Reap while “taking a break from Asia” and speaking with native
English speakers in Western-type style and comfort. |
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Article:
Angkor What? |
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Mokitreks |
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Location: SW United States |
| Specialty:
Native American cultural interaction |
| Why
We Like Them: Providing a rare opportunity to journey into the spirit
and soul of Native America, Moki Treks introduces travelers to the cultures,
stories and history of the Navajo, Blackfeet, Nez Perce, Shoshone, Chinook and
Yakima tribes. Explore the lands of the Navajo Nation, hike historical trails
like the Nez Perce, the route of Lewis and Clark, the wild and scenic mountains
of Montana’s Glacier National Park and paddle the rivers of the Upper Missouri
and the Green River. Natural beauty and ancient wonders abound. |
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Article:
Canyon de Chelly |
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GeoPassage Specialty Travel |
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Location: Worldwide |
| Specialty: History, arts and ancient sites |
| Why
We Like Them: With trips like; “Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical
Campania”, “A Journey Through Time”, “On the trail of the Da Vinci Code”, and
the “In Search of King Arthur”, GeoPassage Specialty Travel offer a great
selection of tours to explore the past and present. Travelers can join a
scheduled departure or plan their own trip online for a great selection of
available itineraries, or mix and match with the assistance of GeoPassage’s
travel experts. |
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