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Synopsis of each of our tours
(in chronological order)
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About the Serious Traveler
Travel Concepts International Inc. (TCI) was formed by League member Gwen Erwood in 1984, to organize tours, predominately for members of the League of Women Voters – both men and women, a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization encouraging active and informed citizen participation in the American political system. In 1987, the company was incorporated in the State of New York. The destinations, programs, and dates of travel are determined exclusively by Travel Concepts International. The inspiration for the series is to bring members together to further the League’s position of promoting peace in an interdependent world. Although Travel with the League began exclusively as a League of Women Voters project, our travelers – thanks to word of mouth endorsements – extend beyond League of Women Voters to include AAUW, United Nations Association, Peace Links, Rotary International and friends of those who travel. We share experiences, good humor, and a love of history and culture which are unparalleled. Many of our trips feature optional cultural exchanges and embassy visits, and foster lasting friendships. We carefully plan these Cultural Tours to Better Understand the World and Its People. The greatest compliment is that many members travel again and again, encouraging their friends to join. We sincerely appreciate your trust, and we’ll do our very best to make sure your travel experience is full, rewarding, and great fun! In 2006 we trademarked the name “Serious Traveler,” which is the name of our domain: www.serioustraveler.com, as well as the name of our newsletter. Serious Traveler defines both us and the exceptional people who travel with us. There are many TCI’s but only one Serious Traveler.
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2012
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Freedom Tour of Egypt with Suez Sinai Extension
Dates: March 2 - 12/15, 2012
Price: $3780 from New York via Egypt Air
How things have changed in just one short year. During the demonstrations in Tahrir Square, we were in contact with our Egyptologist and close friend, Hossam. What excitement and hope he, his teenage son who was also there, and many other Egyptians have for their country. Together we have worked out a very special tour that links you to the changes under way and to the one remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
 
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Central Asia's Jewels of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with optional Taste of Persia, Iran Extension
Dates: March 21 - April 4/8, 2012
Price: $5790 from New York via Turkish Airlines
Complete your Silk Road experience in a seldom-visited area. This new tour connects Central Asia to the Near East. Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, Tashauz, Ashgabat, Merv (Mary). Mashad and Tehran optional.
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| Passage Through Persian History & Culture
Dates: April 6 - 21/25, 2012
Price: $6360 from JFK via Turkish Airlines
Don’t let the naysayers diminish your enthusiasm. Experience Persian hospitality for yourself. Persepolis, a short drive from Shiraz, is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. Isfahan is a unique city with exquisite mosaic-clad domes, bridges and Persian gardens. Travel in security with our experienced Iranian tour manager. Our perfect introductory tour also includes Kerman, the citadel of Rayen, Shiraz —the city of “Roses and Nightingales”; Pasargad, the capital of Cyrus the Great, ancient Yazd and Kashan.
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| World Heritage Sites of Albania
Dates: May 20 - 30, 2012
Price: $2490 from Tirana, Albania (Airfare additional)
Charming and energetic are adjectives used to describe the emerging Albania. Travel with our experienced archaeologist guide, who will introduce us to Tirana to explore the country influenced by Greeks, Roman, Italians and Turks, all of whom left their indelible marks. We’ll also get an excellent perspective of modern day Albania as it emerges as an unspoiled European destination.
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| Macedonia Mosaic
Dates: May 28 - June 3, 2012
Price: $2590 as an extension to Bulgaria
Part of the former Yugoslavia with its scenic Lakes Ohrid and Debar. A delightful exploration includes remote Treskavets, Kalishta and St. John Bigorski Monasteries, of course Skopje, the capital, en route to Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Uzbekistan - Jewels of the Silk Road
Dates: May 31 - June 11, 2012
Price: $4990 from Chicago, ORD via Turkish Airlines
Complete your Silk Road experience in a seldom-visited area. Tashkent, Urgench, Khiva, Bukhara, Shakre Sabz and Samarkand.
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| Seven Wonders of Bulgaria
Dates: June 3 - 13, 2012
Price: $3950 from Sofia, Bulgaria (Airfare additional)
Treat yourself. Too many delightful features to mention here. From Sofia to the Black Sea with Kazanluk, Arbanassi, Varna, Plovdiv and Rila Monastery. Learn about the Thracians, Byzantines and medieval Bulgarian cultures from Bulgaria’s top guide.
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| Legends & Traditions of Romania
Dates: June 13 - 24, 2012
Price: $2990 from Bucharest, Romania
This out-of-the-ordinary tour visits South-East Saxon Transylvania, the peaceful rural communities of Maramures and the stunning “Painted Monasteries” of Bucovina. Get a taste of real Romania and its people.
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| Bali and Beyond with Java and South Sulawesi
Dates: June 23 - July 7, 2012
Price: $5330* from San Francisco via Singapore Airlines and Garuda Airlines
Have an intriguing look at three of Indonesia’s distinct cultures. Java, South Sulawesi and the mystical Bali give you vibrant culture, unique art and mystical ceremonies! Start in Borobudur for sunrise then continue to Toraja Land to see the unique boat shaped houses. Come to the Island of the Gods—Bali—to experience art-filled Ubud, Tanah Lot, and Sanur.
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| Mongolia - Steppes to the Gobi
Dates: July 4 - 20, 2012
Price: $6310 from San Francisco via Korean Airlines
Our Steppes to the Gobi Mongolia tour is built around the 3-day annual Naadam Festival. This comprehensive tour includes the pageantry of the opening ceremony and competition of horsemanship, archery and wrestling. We also travel north to Lake Hovsgol, west to Genghis Khan’s Karakorum and south to Roy Chapman Andrews’ Flaming Cliffs.
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| Summer Discovery of Persia
Dates: July 1 - 18, 2012
Price: $6680 from JFK via Turkish Airlines
Have you seen our Fall through Spring tours to Iran? November through April is the best time weather-wise to visit central Iran with Persepolis outside Shriaz, Isfahan and Tehran. The summers are very hot. However, we know there are students and faculty in the academic field who can only travel during the summer months. Thus, we are designing a tour that visits the Northwest part of Iran, including the Southwest Caspian coastline and Tabriz.
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| Sri Lanka's Art & Culture
Dates: July 7 - 19, 2012
Price: $3950 Airfare Additional
Visit six of Sri Lanka’s World Sites – Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Galle, Ruhunu National Park in Yala plus the enchanting Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Our strong craft component allows you to meet local artists and visit their workshops. Dine elegantly and overnight at a Planters Club in Nuwara Eliya, and stay in a historic beach resort Bentota designed by iconic Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
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| Mighty Mountains & Valley of Ladakh, India with Srinagar Kashmir Extension
Dates: July 13 - 26/29, 2012
Price: $3670 from Delhi (airfare additional)
Join us in exploring the remote Buddhist area of India. We've selected the best time of year to visit the majestic Himalayas; we've scheduled the dates to coincide with an important event in the Buddhist calendar - the Phyang Tsechu. We'll traverse two of the highest motorable passes in the world: Kardong La and Chang La, visit gompas-Buddhist monasteries-on their mountain-top perches, join a portion of Central Asian Silk Road in Hunder, explore the secret fertile Nubra Valley, see Leh Palace, described as a miniature of Lhasa's Potala Palace, view the treasures of monastery museums with their "Thangkas" and traditional Indian miniature paintings and ascend to one of the world's highest elevated lakes, Pangong Lake. All before we return to Delhi for a short visit. If we're lucky we might experience a bit of the monsoon season.
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| Croatia and the Beautiful Adriatic
Dates: July 21 - August 4, 2012
Price: $TBA
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| Precious Stones of Puglia
Dates: September 27 - October 5, 2012
Price: $TBA Airfare Additional
Still relatively undiscovered and free of crowds, the heel of Italy retains the cultural charm of the simple life combined with a rich historical heritage. Stay in the Trulli of Alberobello, sojourn in Baroque Lecce, visit Castellano, Martina Franca, Cisternino, Taranto, Matera (Basilicata) and Corato.
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| Roseto Valfortore & Gargano Peninsula
Dates: October 5 - 13, 2012
Price: $TBA Airfare Additional
More of Puglia. From Bari, north to the village of Roseto Valfortore, then on to the Gargano Peninsula: Padre Pio’s San Giovanni Rotondo; the Crusaders Monte Sant’ Angelo; the picturesque rugged coast.
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New Advenutres in the Balkans - A Balkan Odyssey
Dates: October/November 2012 • 24 days
Price: $TBA From Sofia, Bulgaria Airfare additional
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Central Asia's Jewels of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with optional Taste of Persia, Iran Extension
Dates: October 17 - 31/Novebmer 4, 2012
Price: $5790 from New York via Turkish Airlines
Complete your Silk Road experience in a seldom-visited area. This new tour connects Central Asia to the Near East. Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, Tashauz, Ashgabat, Merv (Mary). Mashad and Tehran optional.
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| Persian History & Culture Revisited with Caspian Extension
Dates: November 2 - 17/21, 2012
Price: $5980 from JFK via Turkish Airlines
This exciting itinerary takes us west to Hamadan to see the tomb of Esther and the monument to Avicenna, Persian Father of Modern Medicine. Continue to Kermanshah and Ahwaz to visit the site of Susa and the Chogha-Zanbil ziggurat. We won’t miss, Shiraz, Persepolis, Pasargad, Yazd and everyone’s favorite, Isfahan. An extension to the Caspian and Tabriz is an option.
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2013
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| North India with Darjeeling
Dates: December 28, 2011 - January 9, 2012
Price: $5420 Airfare Additional
Once in your life you must see the Taj Mahal—and the sculpted temples of Khajuraho—and the pink city of Jaipur! But there’s more! Kolkata and the majestic Himalayas.
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| South India - Experience the Extraordinary with Mumbai Extension
Dates: January 7 - 20, 2013
Price: $3990 Airfare Additional
From Chennai to Kanchipuram, Pondicherry to Thanjavur. Celebrate the Pongal Festival in Madurai. Get in touch with nature at Periyar and Cochin. Hassan, Mysore and Bangalore make this program extraordinary. May by combined with Sri Lanka.
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| Splendors of Myanmar with North Thailand and Laos Extensions
Dates: January 8 - 18, 2013
Price: $TBA Airfare Additional
Capture the mystery and romance of Mandalay. Classic tour to the mystical lands of Burma featuring bustling Yangon, the magnificent UNESCO site of Bagan, a cruise up the fascinating Irrawaddy River. Restore yourself during a sojourn at Lake Inle.
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| Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Dates: January 24 - February 5, 2013
Price: $4470 Airfare Additional
Visit six of Sri Lanka’s World Sites – Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy and Galle plus the enchanting Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Our strong craft component allows you to meet local artists and visit their workshops. Dine elegantly and overnight at a Planters Club in Nuwara Eliya, search for gems at Ratnapura, and stay in a historic beach resort Bentota designed by iconic Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
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| Treasures of Iran
Dates: February 15 - 28, 2013
Price: $TBA from JFK via Turkish Airlines
Be inspired by the mosaics, architecture and gardens of Persia. See the fabulous crown jewels. Persepolis, Shiraz, and Yazd can’t be missed. Stay in a delightful caravanserai in everyone’s favorite, Isfahan, where you’ll soak up the beauty that has enthralled visitors for centuries.
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Foundation
