2011 National Sponsors
EXCLUSIVE
Intrepid Travel
For travelers with a yearning to get off the beaten track, Intrepid opens up a whole new world. Intrepid travelers discover real people, real cultures and have incredible real life experiences along the way. With over 1,000 different trips in over 100 countries, Intrepid offers authentic travel experiences for anyone. Committed to traveling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment, Intrepid helps conserve the areas they visit and brings positive benefits to their host communities. Intrepid is currently entering its 22nd year in the adventure travel industry. Visit Intrepid Travel
Classic Canada Giveaway*: Intrepid will be giving away One (1) Grand Prize consisting of a 10-day/9-night trip for 1 on their Classic Canada excursion.
NATIONAL
Hostelling International USA
Hostelling International USA (HI-USA) is a national non-profit membership organization founded in 1934 to help promote and facilitate international understanding through travel. HI-USA operates a network of nearly 60 quality hostel throughout the United States that are inexpensive, safe and clean. Our hostels provide a range of amenities and vary from urban high-rise buildings with hundreds of beds to small more remote hostels in rural settings. HI-USA, also belongs to the global Hostelling International (HI) network, which offers more than 4,000 hostels in over 80 countries. The HI blue triangle with the tree and hut is the trademark and seal of approval, assuring travelers quality, affordable accommodations and programs that are routinely inspected worldwide.
Each year, HI-USA helps hundreds of thousands of travelers prepare for extended trips across the US and around the world. We'll not only help you to really stretch your travel budget, we'll also enrich your experience through our great community of travelers. So connect with us today and start packing!
Win an HI-USA getaway weekend for 2 at your choice of either New York, Los Angeles/Santa Monica, Washington DC, or Chicago! Enjoy 2 nights shared accommodations | Continental breakfast | A local tour pass (TBA) | HI Membership cards
Read about the experiences last year's winner had in NYC!
GoMio.com
GoMio.com is a social connection site and booking portal for travelers to make reservations at hostels in the world. By booking on GoMio.com, travelers have access to the GoDashBoard, a suite of social travel tools designed to connect people to other travelers, locals, and businesses before, during, or after they arrive in their destination. See who else will be there, go local with people interested in showing travelers their home town, or plan for your trip with GoMio.com.
Gomio will be offering one lucky attendee five (5) nights at any hostel in the world through their booking site.
Terms & Conditions:
Eligibility: The “Win a Trip for 1 to the Canadian Rockies Giveaway" (the “Promotion”) is open only to legal U.S. & Canada Residents who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees, officers and representatives of Intrepid Travel, and their respective, affiliated companies, vendors, advertising/promotion companies, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Subject to all federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations. Void in NY, FL, RI, AZ and where prohibited. Odds of winning the prize offered will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received.
Timing: The Promotion begins at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time ("PT") on August 8, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT, on October 18th 2011 (the "Promotion Period").
To Enter: No cost to enter. Paid attendees of the Meet, Plan, Go! October 18, 2011 event will be entered into the drawing. After you have fully completed the entry form and submitted the required information, you will be automatically entered into the Promotion. Limit: only one entry per person during the Promotion Period. By entering, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
Prize: There is One (1) Grand Prize being offered, consisting of a 10-day/9-night trip for 1 on Intrepid's Classic Canada. Prize package includes hostel/cabin accommodations (multi share), some meals (some breakfasts & dinners), as well as private transportation and a guide while on the trip. Additional details may be found at www.intrepidtravel.com/ssrc. Approximate retail value of this prize: $2010 USD.
Prize Conditions: Winner must redeem the prize travel package within one (1) year from date prize is awarded. If winner is unable to redeem the package within the time period required, the prize will be forfeited. The package is subject to availability and blackout dates. Prize may not be transferred, substituted or redeemed for cash. Prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts or special offers. Prize valid on new booking only and cannot be applied to existing bookings. Standard booking conditions apply. Request must be placed no less than sixty (60) days prior to requested departure date. Winner must obey local laws and regulations. All expenses and incidental travel costs not expressly stated in the package description above, including but not limited to food/beverages, airfare, travel insurance, passports, visas and other documents related to foreign travel, personal charges at lodging, telecommunication charges, security fees, taxes, gratuities, or other expenses or incidentals are the responsibility solely of winner. Winner is solely responsible for obtaining documents necessary for international travel, i.e. passports (if applicable). Restrictions, conditions and limitations may apply. No substitution, assignment or transfer of a prize is permitted, except by Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute the prize or prize component with another of comparable or greater value. Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees associated with prize, if applicable.
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.