Culture

by Rita Bocher; Wynnewood, PA

Eager to explore Guatemala, my wife, Gail, and I chose Caravan Tours (Chicago, IL; 800/227-2826) for our trip, Jan. 2-11, 2012.

Possibly as long as 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, Australia’s Aborigines arrived on that island continent from Southeast Asia via the islands of Indonesia. Eventually they occupied almost all parts of Australia, including southeastern Australia, where Sydney is now located. Known archaeological sites near Sydney date back at least 15,000 years. That’s four times older than the Egyptian pyramids, the oldest of which dates to about 2600 BC.

23 days / 22 nights, including 4-night Yangtze River cruise. Highlights: In Hong Kong, Stanley Market, sampan ride on the harbor / Shanghai’s Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens/Three Gorges cruise / in Lhasa, Tibet, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple / Xi’an / Beijing / Ulaanbaatar / Gobi Desert sand dunes, dinosaur cemetery. Land and cruise, from $5,869. Single supp., $2,955. Hermes Travel (Astoria, NY; 718/274-9777).

We highly recommend the France-and-Italy opera trip offered by the International Council for Cultural Exchange, or ICCE (426 South Country Rd., Ste. 1, Brookhaven, NY 11719; phone 800/690-4223, e-mail info@icce-travel.org).

On our trip, April 19-May 1, ’03, there were only four of us plus our excellent trip leader, David Shengold, who was very knowledgeable about music and art and spoke both Italian and French. The 2004 price of this tour, including air from New York, is $4,598.

8 days / 7 nights, Dec. 18-25, 2012. Highlights: Kraków Christmas market / learn to make pierogi / torch-lit sleigh ride / Wieliczka Salt Mine / ornament-making workshop / Christmas market in Warsaw / join a Polish family for Wigilia, the Christmas Eve feast and vigil / Christmas Eve midnight carol service. Land, $3,095. Single supp., $495. MIR Corporation (Seattle, WA; 800/424-7289)

Some travelers are surprised when I tell them to consider biking in Europe. I explain that it’s not only a cheap way to travel but it gets you close to the ground and close to the people. Whether you rent a bicycle for a day in a bike-friendly city like Copenhagen or decide to pedal across France for a month, you’ll experience a more local side of Europe that many travelers rarely see.

16 days/15 nights, Oct. 6-21, 2012. Highlights: Fly from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan / National Museum / Paro archery grounds / Tiger’s Nest / Thimphu / Wangdi Dzong / photograph alpine countryside en route to Trongsa / Kunga Rabten summer palace / in Bumthang, Yathra weaving center / Ugyen Choling Palace, museum / festival dances in Jakar / Trashigang / Brokpa Cultural Program / Land, $7,495. Single supp., $910 (no single accommodations in Ugyen Choling). Rainbow Photo Tours (Tampa, FL; 800/685-9992).

My wife and I had visited most Eastern European countries in the past and were intrigued about the culture and history of Bulgaria and Romania, so we decided to go.

I stay part of the year in Bangkok, Thailand, where I have an apartment. In fall 2010, for the first time, I used a luggage-forwarding service called Luggage Free to send over some of my possessions. It was just household bric-a-brac (clothing, books, DVDs, etc.).