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I’m so ready for this.

Great River Journey Inc. announced their inaugural season trips on the Yukon River, open to adventurers who will be the first to experience this totally unique journey through history and nature and who will become ambassadors for the experience in coming years.

“This is the most significant initiative in Northern Tourism in a generation” says George Asquith, President of Great River Journey. Guests will travel the Yukon River following the path of long ago gold rush pioneers, through First Nations’ lands from Whitehorse to the Klondike claims of Dawson City.

Dates range from the beginning of June to the end of September and are limited to a maximum of 10 people for each departure. For this patron’s season, guests will pay reduced rates; build lasting relationships and retain their Patron’s status receiving special consideration for their lifetimes.

Can you just imagine yourself writing, while traveling by riverboat and floatplane, with frequent stops to hike, kayak, bird watch and visit geological and historic sites related to the First Nations people and the Klondike Gold Rush Stampede?

Great River Journey travels through the traditional First Nations’ lands offering guests a authentic glimpse into their lifestyle. Partners in this venture are the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the Selkirk First Nation. They are involved as owners, represented on the board of directors and their people will be among those hosting and guiding guests.

After working together for years Yukon’s first nations and private sector partners are coming out with their shared vision. Great River Journey provides the premier, high-end, low-impact river tour experience in North America with the adventure of a unique, world-class riverboat safari into the wilderness, history and culture of the Yukon. For more information, please visit them on their website, book your trip, then get out that pen and journal and let’s write!

Whether heading out on vacation or recalling trips of the past, readers will find “The Traveler’s Advisory” amusing and entertaining, as it covers domestic and international journeys and the challenges that often go along with them. Featuring brief commentary side-by-side with clever and distinctive imagery, this new book provides much-needed advice for the inevitable confrontations with language, food, unexpected turns of events and much more.

Written by Jessica Lehrer, Rick Lightstone and Alice Murray, “Traveler’s Advisory”proves that laughter is indeed a universal language, and the tidbits of advice they dispense on international travel would come in handy for any traveler. Those who have ever missed a bus, received a completely different meal than the one ordered at a restaurant, attempted to get medical attention without knowing the language of the local physicians, or (whether by design or compromise) brought the kids along on a lengthy, complicated trip, will find catharsis in laughter-or perhaps some important preventative tips-in the 144-page “Traveler’s Advisory.”

“The effective combination of modern graphic design, witty adages and engaging photography makes for a book that is certain to resonate with anyone that has ever taken a trip, anywhere, anytime, and with any degree of success or failure,” said Buzz Poole, managing editor at Mark Batty Publisher. “Every scenario illustrated in words and photos in this colorful book is inspired by the human urge, for better or worse, to experience something new and different,” Poole said. “Sometimes the experiences work out. Sometimes they don’t. This book covers all of it-mostly those that don’t.”

Eccola Press is pleased to announce that its book, Piazza: Italy’s Heart & Soul” by writer-photographer team, Marybeth Flower and Joe Bauwens, was selected as the winner of the Best Coffee Table Book category at the 11th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards 2007 IPPY Award Winners.

The Independent Publishers Book Awards, also known as the IPPY Awards, were presented at BookExpo America 2007 in New York City.

This year’s titles were submitted by publishers from all 50 U.S. states, 8 Canadian provinces and 17 overseas countries.

“We are extremely honored that Piazza: Italy’s Heart & Soul’ was honored with this award,” said Bauwens & Flower. “From the inception of the book we felt it was important to show how the Italians live in their town squares. As far as we know this book is unique in that it focuses on the Italian people and not on their architecture and landscapes.” Continue reading »

By Patricia Hamilton, Bruce Biron, and Janel Willette

Ready to enjoy delicious, healthy food or wine—then take a fun, shopping, sightseeing, educational, or relaxing walk around the area!

This innovative guidebook is just for you.
Continue reading »

Can you believe that it’s 2007 already?? I’m still in shock but my entire world’s currently a bit upside down right now anyway. We’ve moved back to the states after seven wonderful years in Germany…and I’m already missing Europe. I can’t complain, though - the Army’s allowed us to stay overseas for seven years, which is incredibly long for a military tour. I went from ‘never traveled’ to ‘can’t get enough’, visited a whopping 45 countries throughout Europe and Africa, and published a book.

Of course, I don’t plan on staying stateside for long…my husband’s here for a normal three-year tour but I’m already planning vacations back! And we are talking about another overseas tour after this one!

So, now’s the time of year when everyone’s working hard to keep their New Year’s resolutions. What’s on your list? Continue reading »

Thanks to Juanita at ReaderViews.com for allowing us to post this interview with Vicki Landes, author of Europe for the Senses.

Juanita:  Thanks for talking with us today Vicki.  We are interested to hear more about you, and your beautiful photography book “Europe for the Senses: A Photographic Journal.”  Would your start off by telling us what your book is about, and what you are trying to convey through the photos?

Vicki:  “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal” is a travel/photography book meant to do more than just display European destinations.  It’s a collection of photography and creative writing meant to transport the reader to each respective destination with stimulating sensory imagery. Experience the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and touch that make Europe a remarkable compilation of uniquely beautiful countries. Whether a novice or a seasoned traveler, EFTS hopes to invoke a craving for Europe – not only for the major attractions that attract so many but the small, much overlooked details waiting to be discovered. 

Juanita:   Vicki, where were you born, and where are you living now? 

Vicki:  I was born in St. Charles, Missouri and stayed there until I left for college.  My family hardly traveled so I never considered exploring other places.  My husband and I had been living in Kansas City, Missouri for a couple years when he received military orders to Stuttgart, Germany.  I was livid – I’d just graduated college, we’d just bought a house and I’d just had a baby so I went to Germany literally kicking and screaming.  After about six months, though, I really got into seeing new places and we’ve been living in Stuttgart for seven years now!  Since my husband is active duty Army, he had to extend a couple of times (tours are normally three years) and he did so only because I loved it here so much.    Continue reading »

By Vicki Landes
Europe For The Senses ~ A Photographic Journal is a collection of photography and creative writing meant to transport the reader to each respective destination with stimulating sensory imagery.

Experience the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and touch that make Europe a remarkable compilation of uniquely beautiful countries. Whether a novice or a seasoned traveler, EFTS hopes to invoke a craving for Europe – not only for the major attractions that attract so many but the small, much overlooked details awaiting to be discovered. Continue reading »