Journeys of a Lifetime Archives - Top Travel Leads

Announcing the February 2012 Publication of “Hyper-Travel: 100 Countries In 2 Years”

In his mid-fifties Hardie Karges suddenly finds himself at a crossroads in his life, career, and relationship, so decides to do (again) the one thing that he does better than anything else—travel. That means cashing in some frequent-flyer miles and heading to South America, specifically the four southernmost countries that he has yet to visit. […]

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Suru Valley & Pensi La, the Gateway to Zanskar

TomBel

The Mulbekh Gompa, about three quarters of the way from Leh to Kargil, marks the end of the Buddhist Ladakh and the beginning of its Muslim parts. The Muslim culture here as in Kargil and from here on toward the alpine valleys of Kashmir as well as the first third of the way toward Zanskar,

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Moai – Mystery of Easter Island

TomBel

Easter Island is perhaps among the most out of the way islands in the world but over 1000 years ago a canoe paddled by people of a distant land arrived there. As the desolate Easter Island suddenly became a landing spot, an amazing civilization grew all alone there in the hundreds of years that followed.

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The Remote Nujiang Valley, Yunnan, Southwestern China

TomBel

It has only been open for relatively a short time but the Nujiang Valley is a true gem destination. The valley parallels Myanmarâ€™s border, in extreme northwestern corner of Yunnan in southwestern China. The river that has carved this gorge, the Nu River, becomes the mighty Salween that forms the border between Thailand and Myanmar.

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Cruise Chile, Galapagos, Peru & Ecuador – Cruising the South Pacific Ocean

TomBel

This easy-paced South American journey stitches together a number of fascinating strands like those of an elaborate alpaca yarn. Colonial cobbles contrast with high-rise city styles as we visit three capitals, and blend these with some of the most remote beaches and bays in the Pacific. Headlining your holiday is our stay in the Galapagos.

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FRENCH COUNTRY WATERWAYS – The Finest Tradition in Luxury Canal Cruises

TomBel

A web of approximately 4800 miles of navigable canals crisscrosses France. Since prehistoric times these inland waterways have provided a lifeline for communication and transportation. The French Country Waterways have been carefully chosen to travel along some of the most charming and picturesque sections of the French country waterways. French Country River Cruises

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Yunnan Shangri La, China Travel

TomBel

If you’re searching for the mythical Himalayan Shangri La, akin to what James Hilton described in his novel Lost Paradise, you have to journey up to Zhongdian in northern Yunnan, at the crossroads leading to Sichuan and Tibet. But Zhongdian’s Tibetan-style old town and local market is only part of the highlights of Yunnan. Before

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Luxury Retreats of Kerala, South India

TomBel

If the immaculate beauty of nature intoxicates you, then Kerala is where you should be. Kerala, the southwestern tip of India is blessed with unique geographical and cultural features. Its overpowering tropical greenness, arcane rituals and spectacular festivals stimulate even the most jaded imagination. Strictly guarded by age-old traditions, this land at times seems almost

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10 Best Hikes of a Lifetime

TomBel

In their last issue Travel and Leisure featured their list of the 10 best hikes of a lifetime. They noted and we certainly agree that there are probably thousands of fantastic hikes around the world, although a legendary hike stands out in terms of uniqueness, natural beauty, and sheer exhilaration. Here is their list, tell

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Bicycle the Wine Trails between Prague and Vienna

TomBel

If you are a wine lover and admire beautiful landscape and history, than this trail is the right one for you! On this journey, you will cycle through the most famous wine regions of Austria and the Czech Republic, where the wine making tradition runs for almost two thousand years. You’ll have an opportunity to

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