High in the Andes of Chile and three miles from the Argentinean border, you can stay in one of the geodesic domes ($121, full board) set up by Nevados de Sollipulli (Temuco Region IX, Chile; phone [56] 45 276000). Alternatively, a B&B room costs $84 per night at the resort, which is closed May and June.
In the summer (December-March), among the resort’s expeditions, you can try the 3-day, 2-night, guided “Overnight Stay in the Volcanic Crater” camping experience ($345).
My husband, Ed, and I chose “Tigers & the Taj” for our fifth trip with International Expeditions (Helena, AL; 800/234-9620). Our trip, March 10-25, 2012, cost $6,680 per person, excluding international air but with a discount for having traveled with the company.
We like International Expeditions because it provides superior guides and excellent accommodations, your only tipping is to your main guide and, on this trip, all meals were provided. On this trip, there was only one other tour member.
6-day / 5-night camping, kayaking tour in NORWAY, summer 2013. Easy to moderate activity (up to four hours’ paddling per day and some walking). Highlights: Art Nouveau town of Ålesund / kayak to Vermøya Island/stay at historic Åkernes farm / paddle past Bridal Veil, Suitor and Seven Sisters falls / Geirangerfjord. Land, $2,490. No single accommodations. Tofino Expeditions, Ltd. (Salem, OR; 800/677-0877).
10-day camping/lodge trip of BELIZE. Note: participants should be able to walk five miles.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage has reduced the rates on its air-inclusive 19-day NCV Expedition Voyages to Antarctica and the Chilean fjords, including 15 days aboard the 464-berth MS Nordnorge, between Nov. 3, 2004, and Feb. 9, 2005.
The biggest reductions apply to large outside ship cabins and suites and coincide with holiday periods. In 2004, cabins are $4,445 to $5,630 and suites $6,385 to $7,135. In 2005 the rates increase to $4,775 to $5,875 for cabins and $6,940 to $7,445 for suites.
We went on a wonderful trip to Australia, Dec. 19, ’02-Jan. 13, ’03, with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA), adding on their New Zealand extension.
On June 6, ’03, we left on the 13-day “Real Affordable Costa Rica” trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (One Broadway, Ste. 600, Cambridge, MA 02142; phone 800/955-1925). We paid $4,235 for two persons, including air from Las Vegas. The price also included $368 in trip insurance.
The trip was advertised as an adventure trip, and adventure we got aplenty. We had never taken this kind of trip before. We really did not know what we were getting into but have to admit that we enjoyed it tremendously.
Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line are canceling parasailing excursions in the Caribbean indefinitely.
My wife, Joan, and I have traveled independently since 1964, and as professional educators we have been fortunate enough to teach and live overseas in a number of Western and emerging countries. In 2005 we spent five months in Chengdu, China, and in 2006 and 2007 we were in classrooms in Cyprus and Russia.
