Jan. 05--If you're looking for destinations other than the same-old, same-old and you're an adventurous traveler, G Adventures has a half-dozen trips, all very reasonably priced, that will take you to the Stans -- the Central Asia area comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The trips range from a six-day Highlights of Tajikistan, which is priced from $799 per person double occupancy, to a 23-day Central Asia -- Multi-Stan Adventure that explores Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It's priced from $2,949. These are small-group trips that are accompanied by a tour leader. Lodgings are in modest hotels or guesthouses, and in some instances may involve yurts, home stays or sleeper trains. Breakfasts are generally included, but most meals are not. And airfare from the U.S. is an additional expense. Trip details are at http://www.tinyurl.com/jrjy6zb, and highlights of the Stans are discussed at http://www.tinyurl.com/hnqds5l.
Drinking in a good beer town
The folks at Livability.com love to rank things, and because craft brewing is increasingly popular, they decided to turn their data tracking to the subject of beer. The result is a list of 99 Best Beers in 99 Best Beer Cities. In making their selections they decided the cities, not surprisingly, had to be very livable. Then they had to contain a goodly number of craft beer drinkers, and that craft beer had to be very good. For help in that area, they turned to RateBeer.com. The top two towns in the listing are in New England: Waterbury, Vt. and Freeport, Maine. The East was further represented with Cooperstown, N.Y., at No. 3 followed by Ardmore, Penn. New Glarus, Wis., broke the East's stranglehold at No. 5. Making a somewhat surprising appearance on the list due to Utah's stringent liquor laws were No. 50 Salt Lake City, and Park City at 62. Toast the winners at http://www.tinyurl.com/oaxby2l.
Spice up a solar eclipse
Sure you can view a solar eclipse from your backyard (assuming your backyard is in the right location). But wouldn't it be a lot more exotic to travel halfway around the world and watch it on the equator while aboard a two-masted sailing schooner? Wildland Adventures offers that opportunity and has even knocked $1,000 off the price of its 12-day Spice Islands Solar Eclipse Sailing Adventure package March 7-18. On March 9, the 24-passenger sailing vessel will anchor less than half a degree north of the equator among Indonesia's Maluku Islands. This location promises the longest viewing time for the eclipse, which first begins at 8:35 a.m. You need to pay attention, though. Maximum eclipse will be at 9:52:38, but totality will last just 3 minutes and 16 seconds. That leaves plenty of time for the rest of the trip, which explores myriad islands and the local culture. Snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards offer the chance to enjoy the warm waters. With the $1,000 price reduction, the cost of the trip is $5,495 per person double occupancy if you book before Feb. 7. Internal flights cost another $780, and international air is also extra. Info: 800-345-4453, http://www.tinyurl.com/jrm433n
Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.
