Dates: January 5 - 15, 2010
Price: $2990 from Yangon (Airfare Additional)

Classic Myanmar (Burma) tour featuring bustling Yangon, the magnificent UNESCO site of Bagan, a private boat cruise up the fascinating Irrawaddy river from Mandalay, the thousands of Buddhas in the Pindaya Caves and a lake front view chalet at Inle Lake. Features include a candlelight dinner at an ancient pagoda, classical dance and marionette shows, and horse-cart visits to local villages.

Dates: January 4 - 16/22, 2010
Price: $4860 from Los Angeles via Cathay Pacific

Visit the home of musicians for dinner and a performance, take a cooking class in Hue at the home of a well-known historian, dine in a restored royal house, have tea with Buddhist monks, take part in a cooking class at the Saigon Culinary Arts Center, cruise the Mekong River and Halong Bay, partake of a candle-light dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence. Nothing is spared on this trip of a lifetime. Continue the theme and enjoy the exquisite Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang.

Dates: April 2 - 17/21, 2010
Price: $5560 from JFK via Turkish Airlines

Ah, all the wonderful sights and sounds! Don’t let the naysayers diminish your enthusiasm. Experience Persian hospitality for yourself. The treasures held in Tehran’s museums are outstanding. 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. Iran as a whole is nothing short of breathtaking! 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”; Pasargadae, the capital of Cyrus the Great, ancient Yazd and Kashan.

Dates: April 20 -May 11, 2010
Price: $5880 from SFO via Air China

The inimitable and beloved Sam Su is back to take you through western China all the way to Kashgar for the Sunday market. Visit the Uygur people in Xinjiang Province. See the Mummies of Ürümchi, exquisite Buddhist grotto art of the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, and the western most gate of the Great Wall. The Tibetan Labrang Monastery is again open for visitors. This has been one of our favorite tours for almost a decade, but we continue to add fascinating features, like a sky burial and a magnificent view of the first bend of the Yellow River. With train rides and camel rides (short ones), this is truly a great soft adventure. See Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai too.

Dates: May 30 - June 9, 2010
Price: $2640 from Tirana, Albania (Airfare additional)

Have the treat of traveling with Mr. Auron Tare on this introductory tour. Ari, a prominent historian, journalist and undersea explorer, will meet you in Tirana and introduce you to Kruga, Durres, Apollonia, Saranda, Gjirokastra, Permet, Korça, and Lake Ohrid. The highlight is the UNESCO site of Butrint, where Auron was one of the founding directors.

Dates: June 8-13, 2010
Price: $TBA

Continue from Lake Ohrid to Sofia.

Dates: June 13 - 23, 2010
Price: $4490 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.

Dates: June 23 - July 4, 2010
Price: $2880 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.

Dates: June 24 - July 8, 2010
Price: $4930 from SFO via Air China

Let’s go hug Mt. Everest. With Sam Su and Mr. Lhakpa Dorjee guiding, you will have an incredible journey to the Rooftop of the World. We’ll reach the Base Camp of the world’s most famous peak, and meet the Tibetan people in their homes, monasteries and cultural centers of Lhasa, Tsedang, Shigatse and Gyantse.

Dates: June 30 - July 16, 2010
Price: $6640 from LAX via Air China

Picture yourself in a comfortable ger (yurt) on the endless steppe under a brilliant starry sky...and exploring the Great Gobi Desert where wildlife abounds. Spin a prayer wheel inside a richly gilded Buddhist temple where few foreigners venture. Built around the 3-day annual Naadam Festival, our 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 Ghenghis Khan’s Karakorum and south to Roy Chapman Andrews’ Flaming Cliffs.

Dates: July 24 - August 7, 2010
Price: $4990 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, the Sea Temple of Tanah Lot, and beaches of Sanur.

Dates: September 3 - 13, 2010
Price: $3450 from New York via Finnair

Visit the revitalized capitals of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Start in Tallinn, a perfect medieval city. As we journey southward, we’ll make stops in Pärnu, Cesis -a Hanseatic League city, and Sigulda. The Baltic spa town of Jurmala is an excursion from Riga, and from Vilnius we won’t miss Trakai.

Dates: September 17 - 29/October 7, 2010
Price: $TBA from Washington, DC via Ethiopian Airlines

Make a unique journey of a lifetime! Let us take you to a colorful place of legendary rulers, fabulous kingdoms and ancient mysteries. Ethiopia is one of the oldest extant civilizations on the continent. Travel to the source of the Blue Nile, and be seven years younger! On the Omo Valley extension, visit the Hammer, Konso & Mursi tribes.

Dates: September 28 - October 19, 2010
Price: $5880 from SFO via Air China

The inimitable and beloved Sam Su is back to take you through western China all the way to Kashgar for the Sunday market. Visit the Uygur people in Xinjiang Province. See the Mummies of Ürümchi, exquisite Buddhist grotto art of the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, and the western most gate of the Great Wall. The Tibetan Labrang Monastery is again open for visitors. This has been one of our favorite tours for almost a decade, but we continue to add fascinating features, like a sky burial and a magnificent view of the first bend of the Yellow River. With train rides and camel rides (short ones), this is truly a great soft adventure. See Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai too.

Dates: October 10 - 16, 2010
Price: $2430 from Boston or $2510 from Seattle via Iceland Air

Fridrik Brekkan guides us through the Golden Circle to see waterfalls, geysers and hot springs and introduces us to Saga History. Have an insider’s look back to the American-Soviet negotiations which led to the successful resolution of the Cold War. Enjoy meetings with U.S. and Russian Embassy officials.

Dates: October 14 - 25, 2010
Price: $3490 from Tripoli, Libya (Airfare additional)

We’ve offered Libya in the past and we hope to return when the visa issue is resolved. See Sabratha, Cyrene, Apollonia, Ptolemais and Leptis Magna. Venture into the Libyan Desert and learn about the Berbers. Overnight in a deluxe Magic camp on the Great Sand Sea (Erg Ubari) and visit the Ghadames oasis, an ancient caravan center.

Dates: October 7 - 18/22, 2010
Price: $4940 from JFK via Turkish Airlines

From Tashkent, fly to Khiva, where the entire city is a UNESCO reserve. We’ll explore Bukhara and Samarkand, the Eden of the Orient, cities that rivaled each other in richness, beauty and architectural magnificence. Your hotel in Bukhara opens on to its covered bazaar. An extension to mountainous Kyrgyzstan and the Ferghana Valley features scenic beauty.

Dates: October 19 - November 5, 2010
Price: $TBA

For the experienced traveler (and we think you are), we’ll make an odyssey from Istanbul north to Chanakkale, Kavala, Filipi and Thessaloniki, Greece. Turn northward into Bulgaria to see Melnik and Plovdiv and return to Istanbul via Edirne. Learn about the Romans, Goths, Huns and Avars, Byzantines, Turks, Slavs and Tatars who all left their marks.

Dates: October 20 - November 3, 2010
Price: $TBA from ORD via Turkish Airlines

Join Lloyd Herman and other crafts enthusiasts for a specialized trip including Istanbul, one of the Cultural Capitals of Europe for 2010. Meet glass and other artisans at their workshops in Bursa, Cappadocia and the art enclave of Bodrum. Return to Chicago in time to attend SOFA.

Dates: November 5 - 20/24, 2010
Price: $5580 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.

Dates: November 19/22 - 29, 2010
Price: $TBA from JFK via Finnair

This is a favorite tour of ours. Spend Thanksgiving in a Winter Wonderland, when the theatre comes alive and the onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral sparkle against the snow. Our short one-week vacation will seem so much longer as we show you the best of St. Petersburg and travel by overnight train to Moscow. Take a few more days and travel to the Golden Ring.

Dates: December 2 - 10, 2010
Price: $TBA from JFK via Emirates Airlines

Visit six of the seven Emirates including: Dubai, Sharjah, Um Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. Learn of Dubai’s pearl history and rise to present stardom. In dazzling Dubai, stay at the Atlantis The Palm, have tea at the Emirates Palace, take in thoroughbred racing and bound across the dunes on a desert excursion.

Dates: January 2011
Price: $TBA

Dates: February 18 - March 6, 2011
Price: $TBA from JFK via Turkish Airlines

Amazing intricate workmanship is the hallmark of the artists you’ll meet. Be inspired by the mosaics, architecture and gardens of Persia. See the fabulous crown jewels. Search for the fabled Peacock Throne. See the Sassanian Palace at Kerman (224-637 A.D.) a city known for its Persian carpets. Marvel at the architectural wonder of Darius the Great’s Persepolis. Explore Shiraz, a city of roses, nightingales and poetry. Continue to the second oldest city in the world—Yazd. Stay in a delightful caravanserai in everyone’s favorite, Isfahan, where you’ll soak up the beauty that has enthralled visitors for centuries.

Dates: March 30 - April 10, 2011
Price: $TBA from JFK via Royal Jordanian

Indiana Jones brought the Nabataean city Petra to the world’s attention. It’s now one of the new 7 wonders™ of the world. Explore amazing Jerash, visit the Bani Hamida Weaving Project and Madaba - the City of Mosaics. Like Lawrence of Arabia we’ll venture from Wadi Rum to Aqaba.

Dates: April 1 - 16/20, 2011
Price: $TBA from JFK via Turkish Airlines

Ah, all the wonderful sights and sounds! Don’t let the naysayers diminish your enthusiasm. Experience Persian hospitality for yourself. The treasures held in Tehran’s museums are outstanding. 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. Iran as a whole is nothing short of breathtaking! 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”; Pasargadae, the capital of Cyrus the Great, ancient Yazd and Kashan.

Dates: April 16 - 24, 2011
Price: $TBA Airfare Additional

Join Jo Coffey and Martin Byrne for a journey to the oldest and best-preserved megalithic monuments of western Europe. In Sligo and Navan, we’ll explore the crown jewel of megalithic monuments in Ireland. Experience Newgrange, Knowth, Carrowkeel, Carrowmore and the scenic Lough Arrow area. Expect mild weather and emerald green countryside.

Dates: April 24 - 30, 2011
Price: $TBA from Boston or $TBA from Seattle via Iceland Air

Fridrik Brekkan guides us through the Golden Circle to see waterfalls, geysers and hot springs and introduces us to Saga History. Have an insider’s look back to the American-Soviet negotiations which led to the successful resolution of the Cold War. Enjoy meetings with U.S. and Russian Embassy officials.

Dates: October 2011
Price: $TBA

Travel with the prominent jewelry artist as he leads our group from Seoul to the International Craft Biennale in Cheongju. You’ll learn about the oldest form of printing in the world and much more!

Dates: November 4 - 19/23, 2011
Price: $TBA 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.