Archive for the ‘Friendly Planet Blog’ Category

A Friendly Planet Travel podcast: Vagabonding with Rolf Potts

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

One of the best parts of my job is having the opportunity to talk to travelers from around the world. Each podcast has illuminated different aspects of travel and different areas of the planet. And each expert has offered their own take on the art of globetrotting.

Recently, I had the chance to talk to travel journalist and author Rolf Potts. Rolf keeps the world up to date on his international adventures on his blog, Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding. He also shares his love and know-how of long-term travel in his books, Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel and Marco Polo Didn’t Go There: Stories and Revelations from One Decade as a Postmodern Travel Writer.

I caught up with Rolf for a quick chat, and he told me all about what it means to be a modern day vagabond, how to experience a trip "off the beaten path," and how to make your dreams of long term travel a reality. Enjoy!

Customer testimonials: Taj Mahal Express and Best of China and Yangtze Cruise

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

As you know, we always have a steady stream of customer testimonials flowing in to the Friendly Planet Travel offices. Maybe it’s the holiday cheer, maybe it’s because it’s so satisfying to see all of our hard work pay off, or maybe it’s just because, but our customer reviews have really put a smile on my face recently. So I thought I’d share a couple with you today, verbatim.

FP_TajMahal.jpgWhen we first heard about our tour to India, we were a little hesitant because the price was so low. We thought it may be too good to be true. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that it was everything we had hoped for and more. The flights were trouble-free and all the hotels were much better than expected. Our hotel in Delhi was the nicest hotel that I have ever stayed at! And I have traveled the world and been to many high class hotels. Also, we were initially concerned about our safety while in India. It turns out that safety was not an issue. Again, we were pleasantly surprised to find the Indian people very welcoming towards Americans. You couldn’t find nicer people in the world. I don’t know how you kept the tour price so low! Keep up the low prices and high standards. I can’t wait to book my next Friendly Planet trip!

- Riley Loback, Seattle

FP_YangtzeRiver.jpgMy husband and I want to thank you for creating comprehensive, fun packed days of touring in China. We saw all the sights we had on our own lists and the city guides made sure that if possible, they worked in places the group requested. With the number of inner city flights and hotel transfers on this trip, the national tour guide made sure it did not eat into our time to enjoy the marvels of history that we were about to see. The daily planning, the food, hotels, the shows, and the ease of getting around made this package one of the exceptional values for a once in a lifetime vacation.

- Susan Razenson, Nanuet, N.Y.

Transcript of podcast with Allan Rabinowitz as he walks the Israel Trail

Monday, December 7th, 2009

If you’d rather read my chat with Allan Rabinowitz, Friendly Planet Travel Israel tour guide, you can have a look at the transcript. I had such a wonderful talk with Allan, that I want to make sure everyone is able to share in the joy and inspiration that he shares with us as he walks the Israel Trail in memory if his mother.

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Weekly wrap up: Friendly Planet Travel in the news

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Friendly Planet Travel popped up in some pretty nice pubs recently, and I wanted to share, in case you missed it!

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Chicago Tribune: Travel news to use

Los Angeles Times: Tours & cruises

Diva in a Carry On Bag: Borneo and Bangkok on a budget!

Catching up with Allan Rabinowitz and his incredible journey on the Israel Trail

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

A few weeks ago Peggy introduced you to Allan Rabinowitz, the Friendly Planet Travel guide who is currently walking the entire length of the Israel trail with his family to raise money for and awareness of ALS. Inspired by the memory of his mother who, in 2008, passed away from the debilitating disease, Allan is experiencing the country he loves in an amazing new way: step by step.

Allan took some time to speak with me recently as he walked through the streets of Jersualem. At the time, he, his wife, and his son were almost half way through their 625-mile journey on foot. You can learn more about Allan’s incredible experience and track their progress on his Web site, Walking the Land – for those who can’tFacebook, Twitter, YouTube, and by listening to our podcast below. If you would like to donate to help fight ALS, you can do so on the main Web site.

Transcript of my chat with travel journalist Chris Elliott

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Missed anything in my interview with leading travel expert Chris Elliott? You can read the transcript here.

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Experience the mystery of Egypt on Friendly Planet’s 12-day Treasures of Egypt tour

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

As the third part of this week’s Africa series, I’d like to take you north. Egypt is the land of fascinating culture, mesmerizing history, and sweeping natural beauty. And there are perhaps few places in the world more revered for its mystery and majesty.

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Once again, Friendly Planet is defying skyrocketing travel prices to bring you a fantastic, truly first-class Egypt vacation deal fit for a pharaoh. On our Treasures of Egypt tour, you’ll spend 12 days exploring the famous Sphinx and pyramids at Giza, the temples at Luxor and Edfu, King Tut’s tomb, Old Cairo, and so much more, for only $2,299.

For the second leg of the journey, travelers will be treated to seven nights aboard a luxury cruise on the Nile aboard the 5-star M/S Tulip cruise ship. As always, roundtrip flights, transfers, touring, and many meals are also part of this vacation package.

Have a look at the Friendly Planet Travel Web site for more information, departure dates, booking, and a full itinerary.

Ten days on Kenya’s incredible wildlife safari for $2,999

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

FP_Kenya.jpgI’ve come across so many travelers who have always had Kenya and Tanzania at the top of their lists of dream destinations, and for very good reason. Both countries are blessed with an abundance of spectacular wildlife and lavishly gorgeous, incredibly photogenic landscapes.

Everywhere you go, from the teeming cities to the plains of the Masai Mara, people are friendly and welcoming. Every day life in Kenya is a powerful image of juxtaposition. Imagine traditional tribe members mingling with urban families at a market, bustling cities that give way to rolling grasslands, and white-glove service where the basics of running water and electricity are scarce.

Wildlife safaris have been the bread and butter of Kenya’s tourism for decades, and several Kenyan parks are among the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards, and the breath-taking wildebeest migration. And for the bird watching enthusiasts, Kenya rates as one of the top five bird-watching destinations in the world.

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With more than 50 parks to choose from in Kenya alone, and almost 25 percent of Tanzania’s lands protected as nature reserves, it’s hard to decide where to go. But Africa travel experts agree that the Masai Mara and Samburu parks in Kenya and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania are must-see sites.

 

That’s why we’ve designed our 10-day Kenya Wildlife Safari plus optional Tanzania Extension around these culturally significant and awe-inspiring natural destinations, and so much more! And like all Friendly Planet tours, you’ll enjoy the best of Kenya and Tanzania at prices that are as amazing as the countries themselves. At $2,999, you won’t find a deal anywhere else that offers all the luxuries and experiences as this tour.

You’ll find the full itinerary and all the details on our Kenya Wildlife Safari, plus optional Tanzania extension page on the Friendly Planet Travel Web site.

The wonders of South Africa for under $2,800

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

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This week, the Friendly Planet Travel office is abuzz over one word: AFRICA. And considering the deals we just ironed out, there’s no wonder why.

Africa is perhaps the last great vacation frontier for travelers. It isn’t that people haven’t been traveling to Africa, but for several reasons – mainly political unrest and cost – many who would want to enjoy the beauty and diversity of Africa choose other destinations first.

However, trends are changing, and more people are discovering that Africa, as a continent, offers a vast array of treasures for the traveler who likes to mix nature and adventure with relaxation.

Stay tuned this week, as I feature some of our most incredible Africa adventures, starting with South Africa!

For the adventure seeker, South Africa is one of the world’s most magnificent natural settings to explore. But as with many of our destinations, it has always been incredibly expensive to get there.

With our new 12-day South African Explorer tour for $2,799, travelers get the chance to visit modern, vibrant Cape Town – one of the world’s hot new destinations for style, night life, and unforgettable scenery – as well as cosmopolitan Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest metropolis.

Then, it’s into the wild for a visit to several of the country’s lush game reserves in search of the "Big Five" —  lions, African elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards, and black rhinos. Vacationers will even spend a night at a traditional rural village, where you’ll be treated to warm, welcoming South African hospitality.

And while you’re in South Africa, why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. Passengers taking the pre-tour extension will depart the U.S. four days before the scheduled departure date.

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On this optional extension, travelers experience the power and majesty of the largest curtain of falling water in the world. The tour also crosses over to the Zimbabwe side of the falls, and ends in Johannesburg, where you’ll meet up with the remaining group members as you depart for the full South African Adventure.

Join us in South Africa, and see why this destination is fast becoming one of the most popular in the world. It’s a vacation of a lifetime, at a price you won’t believe. But don’t wait too long to reserve your spot, because space is limited and will go very quickly.

Have a look at the Friendly Planet Travel Web site for the full South African Adventure itinerary, as well as the Victoria Falls optional extension itinerary.

A Friendly Planet Travel podcast with travel journalist and guru Chris Elliott

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

If something goes wrong when you’re traveling — a lost confirmation number, a mixed-up reservation, a bad hotel experience — it can easily seem like the cards are stacked against you. But there’s one travel journalist who has dedicated his career to helping people get the service they deserve when away from home: Christopher Elliott.

Elliot has been called one of the world’s leading travel experts. He is National Geographic Traveler magazine’s reader advocate, and writes the syndicated Travel Troubleshooter column, which appears in more than 50 U.S. newspapers and Web sites.

He also produces a popular weekly commentary and podcast on MSNBC.com and writes the Navigator column in Sunday’s Washington Post.

I had the chance to talk to the guru himself, and get the scoop on getting what you deserve. Elliott graciously gave us some of his time to talk about himself, his career, and a traveler’s best friend: common sense. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the latest Friendly Planet Travel podcast with Chris Elliott.