A DIY adventure (with a little local help) in Russia
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Religious Sites
“DISCOVER MONGOLIA”
16-day, 15-night tour, July 10-25, 2018. “Moderate” walking. Group limit, 14. Highlights: In Ulaanbaatar, Naadam Festival opening ceremonies, horse races/Gandan Monastery, Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs/wild horses at Khustai National Park/in Karakorum, Erdene Zhu Monastery/17th-century Tuvkhun Monastery/in Orkhon Valley, horse- and yak-breeding farm/Flaming Cliffs/archery lesson with nomadic family. From $4,799 ppdo. Single supp., $1,199. National Geographic Expeditions/G Adventures (Washington, DC; 888/966-8687, www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com).
‘Exceptional’ B&Bs in UK
My husband and I normally travel independently and are used to arranging our own accommodations, flights, itineraries, etc. For places to stay, I search various online sites, including ITN’s, and then, using websites, email addresses or fax numbers I’ve found, inquire about vacancies on the dates we expect to be there.
While traveling in England and Wales in June 2016, we stayed in many bed-and-breakfasts, two of which were exceptional.
An inspired art pilgrimage to Spain’s Catalonia region
Due to increased tensions following the region’s declaration of independence and Madrid’s subsequent move to take control of Catalonia’s administration (see p. 2), travelers to this region are, as of press time, being advised to “exercise caution” because of the possibility of continued protests by large crowds.
The Camino de Santiago more comfortably
For my 75th birthday, in September 2015, my sons Ken (age 54) and John (48) and I walked 110 kilometers (68 miles) on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. My 83-year-old husband, Ray, wanted to accompany us, so we rented a car and he became our “Sherpa.”
Kabul mosque attacked
On Aug. 25, a Shia mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, was targeted by a suicide bomber followed by two gunmen who opened fire on survivors. At least 20 people were killed in the attack, with more than 40 injured. The gunmen were killed by Afghani security forces. The Islamist militant group Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.
Back to Torcello
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“3,000 YEARS OF JEWISH INDIA”
14-day, 13-night luxury tour, Jan. 17-30, 2018. Highlights: Mumbai/Konkan villages site where Jewish emigrants shipwrecked 2,000 years ago/Knesset Eliyahoo synagogue/Hindu caves on Elephanta Island/fly to Cochin for walking tour of Jew Town, Paradesi Synagogue/private tour of Muziris archaeological site/houseboat ride in Kerala backwaters/in Jaipur, Amber Fort/Old Delhi/Taj Mahal in Agra. $7,995 ppdo. Single supp., $2,760. Burkat Global (Hastings on Hudson, NY; 914/231-9023, burkatglobal.com).
Bulgaria & Romania with Balkan Trails
If your travels ever take you to Romania and/or Bulgaria, I’d like to recommend a tour company there whose owners developed a wonderful 3½-week journey for my companion and me, Oct. 13-Nov. 3, 2016.
After an extensive Internet search, I found Balkan Trails (29 Mihail Sebastian St., Bldg. S7, Ent. A, Apt. 37, Sector 5, Bucharest 050784, Romania; phone +40 723 578 452, www.balkantrails.com), run by Vlad Trestian, a Romanian, and his wife, Zoe, a Bulgarian. Both Vlad and Zoe were quick to respond to my questions and offered helpful suggestions.