Help Passports with Purpose Build Libraries in Zambia, Africa

Passports with Purpose 2011

It’s back. Passports with Purpose  offers the easiest way to support a worthwhile cause and assist with your holiday shopping needs. This year the travel blogging community has banded together to promote reading.

Passports with Purpose is celebrating their fourth year of fund raising for a cause. I’m pleased to say that this What a Trip Travel Blogger has supported Passports with Purpose from the start and I continue to be involved in 2011.

Last year we raised nearly $64,128. to construct a village in India – construction is already underway.  In 2009 we funded and built The Passports school in rural Cambodia – it opened in early October of 2010.

This year, more than 100 travel bloggers from around the world will participate in Passports with Purpose 2011.

Together, with your support, we plan to build libraries in Zambia. This year, we’re supporting Room to Read, an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children.  Did you know that more than half of Zambians are 16 years old or younger? It follows that the country’s educational system faces an incredible burden with high illiteracy rates. Raising $80,000, we will build two libraries in Southern Africa!

Passport with Purpose Prizes

This week you will be able to see a list of prizes on the Passports With Purpose website. Each donated prize will link back to a full description of the prizes on the blogger’s website

Your purchase of a $10 raffle ticket will help support Passports with Purpose and ultimately build several libraries in Zambia. For each $10 in donations that you make to Room to Read, you will will be entered to win a prize (or prizes) of your choice. The fundraiser begins on November 30th and closes on December 16, 2011. All proceeds go directly to Room to Read.

What a Trip Passport with Purpose Prize Package

Thank you to my generous sponsors and Passports with Purpose Platinum Sponsor Round the World with Us.  This year I have prizes donated from Secrets Marquis Los Cabos and a gift certificate to accompany this Mexico dream vacation from Luxury Avenue.

Secrets Marquis Los Cabos

Luxury in Los Cabos, Mexico

Secrets Marquis Los Cabos is donating a three night stay at their luxury property in Los Cabos, including dinner for two with one bottle of Marquis wine. In addition Luxury Travel Avenue has donated a private shopping tour with a welcome bag and $1,000 peso gift card (value of approximately $85 USD depending on the exchange rate when redeemed) , making the value of this prize package worth $2,085. USD

Have you started your holiday shopping? Doesn’t it feel good to give back to a worthy cause, helping children have access to quality books and reading materials?

Seasons Greetings from What a Trip

Check back often to see our progress for the 2011 Passports with Purpose and thank YOU for making a difference! Seasons Greetings.

Follow Room to Read on Twitter and friend them on Facebook. For all things travel, follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

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Passports with Purpose 2010

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

As many travelers know, Swiss trains run like clock work. In fact, travel by rail in Europe is a much different experience than in the United States, for a variety of reasons. Eurail is finding itself in competition with low cost airlines for the travel dollar. I interviewed a northern California couple about their recent European train trip for the Contra Costa Times and wrote about my train trip from Seville to Madrid, Spain.

Berlin to Budapest

"When I was 5 years old, my dad and I watched the trains go by in Northbrook, Ill.," said Andy Schnur. "It was a moment I still remember."

Madrid's Penthouse Rooftop Night Club

There's something special about traveling by train. Passengers take a step back in time to a more civilized form of transportation.

Lafayette's Ellen and Andy Schnur traveled by Eurail with a first class pass for three weeks. The pair explored Berlin for its interesting architecture — the Jewish Memorial, Jewish Museum, Reichstag, Sony Center; Checkpoint Charlie museum and East Side Gallery.

"Because things are closer together in Europe, all the trains run on time," added Andy Schnur.

They took the high speed, non-stop train from Nuremberg to Munich in about a hour, traveling at speeds of 150 mph. They planned the trip themselves starting in the north, selecting the cities with the shortest train trips.

"We traveled strictly by train or foot; all public transportation, said Schnur. "Driving in any city in Europe is a challenge."

His favorite hotel was the Berlin Westin, with Salzburg's Hotel Goldener Hirsch a close second.

"The Hirsch was very expensive and very old," noted Andy. It's also George Clooney's hotel when he visits.

Ellen remembered the Berlin train station for its modern architecture and multiple level shopping malls. The charming old town of Nuremberg was a favorite with high end shopping and "the best gelato ever," laughed Ellen.

Seville to Madrid by train

On a recent trip from Seville to Madrid, I traveled by train using the Eurail pass. I stayed in the Intercontinental Madrid,a lovely hotel in Spain within walking distance to boutique shopping. Fancy a palace stay, I recommend AC Palacio Retiro, a gorgeous five-star Grand Luxe hotel with Retiro park views. General Manager Fernado Bodelon will take care of you.

For the jetsetters, check out the penthouse inside the Midnight Rose at Plaza de Santa Ana. This hip hotel is part of the Gerber Group.

The private Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza on Paseo del prado is worthy of a morning, as is the Prado Museum and the new wing opened in 2007.

A visit to Madrid wouldn't be complete without a stop to the Debod Temple or the Royal Palace with its African influenced ceilings. After a day of sightseeing, stop by the Taberna Alabardero for a tapas lunch. The restaurant Grupo Lezama also has Taberna del Alabardero locations in Washington, DC and Seattle, Washington. If you enjoy wine, have dinner at the Dominio de Antargu. You'll be surrounded by an extensive collection of wines at this Bodega.

2009 Travel Trends

As 2008 comes to a close, I'd like to share what the experts at Luxury Travel Expo had to say about travel trends and hot places to visit in 2009.I wrote about the luxury traveler. I agree with the Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau that the luxury traveler is an avid vacationer. If the "On the Road with the Sun" pictures represent a typical Lamorinda resident, we are, indeed, an active group.

According to Luxury Travel Expo panelists, some of the top travel destinations for 2009 will be Greece, Spain, Ireland and Egypt. I'd like to fly Ireland's Aer Lingus non-stop from SFO to Dublin.

Maybe we should add Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve to this list. Norway and Switzerland are on my wish list for 2009.

Closer to home, the Resort at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast is getting rave reviews. Ocean-view suites on 504 acres with spa and golf … what's not to like?

Where are you headed next year? Will the economy affect your travel plans? What are your top travel picks for 2009? I look forward to hearing from you. 

Photo credit: Nancy D. Brown

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

What does a luxury traveler look like? I recently returned from Las Vegas, home to the Luxury Travel Expo, a convention that delivers pearls of wisdom to luxury travel professionals. As a freelance writer, I'm happy to report that I walked away with a lot of information to share with you, the luxury traveler. I also walked away with $13 that I was able to grab during a game in the exhibit hall. That's me in the money booth.

HAWAII

A Hawaiian luxury traveler is an avid and active vacationer, according to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Their statistics say that a luxury traveler stays longer and spends more, while demanding a high level of service. Luxury travelers "sight do" not "sightsee." They are highly educated and well traveled. I was suprised to learn that their idea of a luxury traveler was someone who earns $100,000 or more.

2009 TOP DESTINATIONS

Some of the top destinations for 2009 will be Greece, Spain, Ireland and Egypt, according to Insight Vacations. I recently dined with Tom Heneghan, Marketing Manager of Tourism Ireland while Ireland's President Mary McAleese addressed supporters of the American Ireland Fund at a San Francisco luncheon. If Ireland is a wee bit as charming as President McAleese, I look forward to visiting. In fact, Aer Lingus flys non-stop from SFO to Dublin. I would love to visit the five star Dromoland Castle in Clare, Ireland, however, Nil Gaeilge maith agam. Translation: I cannot speak Irish very well.

LAS VEGAS

While we are now in an official recession, "Las Vegas is not having a fire sale," according to Art Jimenez, director of leisure sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The Expo took place at Mandalay Bay, yet I stayed at the budget-friendly Luxor. With over 14,000 new hotel rooms in Las Vegas, Jimenez said their state bird should be the crane.

CRUISING

The cruise industry continues to invest in the future, with 35 new ships expected for 2012.  According to Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) President and CEO Terry L. Dale, the "luxury market is expected to jump by 71% by 2012."

Finally, Katie Taylor, President and COO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, offered her take on  the two things elite consumers looks for in a brand; craftsmanship and quality.  "Service is why the Four Seasons exist," reflected Taylor. "Guests want 'just-for-me' service."

Next year's Luxury Travel Expo will take place December 1-3, 2009 at the Signature at MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada.