The Craft World Tours Destinations 2004: River Journeys & Village Sovereignty

CWT TOUR DIRECTORS: Prof. Tom & Sherry Wilson

Tom is founder and co-owner of Craft World Tours and former educator for 35 years, retiring after 22 years teaching Photography and Art at Rochester Institute of Technology. Tom & his wife Sherry have been designing & running craft, folkart & village life tours for 20 years. The purpose of the Craft World Tours Collection travel programs is to meet craftspeople and village people to see how and where they work, how they live, their way of life… to “go behind the wall”. We hope our traveling companions will be influenced by the range of handcrafts, the people we meet, the cultures, customs, food, architecture and landscape.

MYANMAR (BURMA): TEMPLES, PAGODAS & TIMELESS WAYS

19 DAYS: JANUARY 18 – FEBRUARY 5, 2004

Price: $4167 plus airport taxes, from Los Angeles

Air & land, per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

A fascinating land stopped in time… a land of spontaneous smiles and giggles, of temples and pagodas, of incense and temple bells, of monks in burgundy-colored robes… of haunting images of temples dotting the Pagan plain overlooking the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River… of simple, village handcraft workshops. Join Tom on his 11th journey to Myanmar (Burma), one of the most culturally intact countries of Southeast Asia.

Day 1 Sun. Jan 18: Early afternoon departure from Los Angeles for our Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. Meals served on board.
Day 2 Mon. Jan 19: Crossing the International Date Line, we lose a day. Late night arrival in Bangkok, and overnight at our airport hotel. BANGKOK- AMARI AIRPORT HOTEL
Day 3 Tue. Jan 20: After an early breakfast we return to the airport for our Thai Airways flight to Yangon (Rangoon), capital of Myanmar (Burma). On arrival, we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel. After lunch, afternoon visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda with its gold plated stupa and magical atmosphere. Welcoming dinner this evening. YANGON- SOFITEL PLAZA HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 4 Wed. Jan 21: Morning flight to Heho in the hilly north. Continue by road to the hillstation of Kalaw, en route visiting Pindaya Caves with thousands of Buddha images stored in limestone caves over the centuries. Dinner on your own. KALAW- KALAW HOTEL (B,L)
Day 5 Thu. Jan 22: Explore the local market in Kalaw before driving to Inle Lake, located in the Shan states and surrounded by blue mountains. INLE LAKE- HU PIN HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 6 Fri. Jan 23: Full day exploring the lake by local boat to visit the floating gardens and several lakeshore villages built on stilts. Visit a silver smithy, a local pottery workshop and meet the unique “leg-rowers” who row their boats by standing on one leg. INLE LAKE- HU PIN HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 7 Sat. Jan 24: This morning we visit one of the local rotating 5-day markets. After lunch we explore the lakeside village of Indein with its complex of 16th century stupas. Dinner on your own. INLE LAKE- HU PIN HOTEL (B,L)
Day 8 Sun. Jan 25: Morning flight to Mandalay. MANDALAY- EMERALD LAND HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 9 Mon. Jan 26: Mandalay is an important center for traditional crafts. Today we’ll visit a puppet factory, a tapestry “kalaga” workshop, and a handwoven silk workshop. One evening we’ll have a puppet show. MANDALAY- EMERALD LAND HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 10 Tue. Jan 27: Today we’ll visit a papier mache village, woodcarving & stone carving, a bronze foundry, and see the making of gold leaf. MANDALAY- EMERALD LAND HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 11 Wed. Jan 28: Visit bamboo & rice straw papermakers, and explore Zegyo Market. Afternoon boat excursion to Mingun to see the unfinished pagoda. MANDALAY- EMERALD LAND HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 12 Thu. Jan 29: Board the RV Pandaw riverboat for a magnificent journey on the Irrawady River. RV PANDAW (B,L,D)
Day 13 Fri. Jan 30: Continue the journey on the Irrawady River, relaxing and taking in the varied river life and stopping to visit villages along our route. RV PANDAW (B,L,D)
Day 14 Sat. Jan 31: Morning arrival in Bagan (Pagan) former capital of Burma from the 2nd century A.D. until 1287, an overwhelming complex of ancient temples and shrines, many of which are still in use. Visit Ananda Temple and Shwe Zigon Stupa. BAGAN- BAGAN HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 15 Sun. Feb 1: Explore the ruins of the vast archaeological site, considered one of the most remarkable in Asia. Explore small villages producing oxcarts, baskets, and pottery. BAGAN- BAGAN HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 16 Mon. Feb 2: Visit lacquerware and “cheroots” workshops. Late afternoon horse-drawn cart ride to view the sunset from one of the temples… unforgettable views of endless temples and shrines dotting the landscape. BAGAN- BAGAN HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 17 Tue. Feb 3: Morning flight to Yangon. After lunch we visit Bogyake Market with time for photographing and shopping. Farewell dinner this evening. YANGON- SOFITEL PLAZA HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 18 Wed. Feb 4: This morning we return to the airport for our Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. BANGKOK- AMARI AIRPORT HOTEL (B)
Day 19 Thu. Feb 5: Early morning departure for our Thai Airways flight to Los Angeles. In-flight meals (B)

INDIA: ORISSA & WEST BENGAL HANDCRAFTS & TRIBAL VILLAGES

22 DAYS: FEBRUARY 5 – 26, 2004

Price: $5294 plus airport taxes, from Los Angeles

Air & land, per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

Join Tom on our second journey into Orissa & West Bengal, his 9th exploration of the rich culture, handcrafts and folkart of India. Journeys in India are endlessly visually fascinating… Our days will be filled with special visits to villages and markets normally not visited by outsiders… lunches will be box lunches… we change hotels each night to make our way onward. Hotels are 3-star simple, clean accommodation with private bath.

Day 1 Thu. Feb 5: Early afternoon departure from Los Angeles for our Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. Meals served on board.
Day 2 Fri. Feb 6: Crossing the International Date Line, we lose a day. Late night arrival in Bangkok, and overnight at our airport hotel. BANGKOK- AMARI AIRPORT HOTEL
Day 3 Sat. Feb 7: This morning we return to the airport for our Thai Airways flight to Kolkata (Calcutta), capital of WEST BENGAL. Light lunch on the plane. On arrival our special escort & friend Malathi Ramaswamy will meet us. Welcoming dinner this evening. KOLKATA- OBEROI GRAND HOTEL (B,D)
Day 4 Sun. Feb 8: Morning sightseeing of Calcutta to include a short walk through British India, and a visit to the Gurusaday Museum, a collection housing folk art and handcrafts. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. KOLKATA- OBEROI GRAND HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 5 Mon. Feb 9: Morning visit to Calcutta’s famous Flower Market and the West Bengal Crafts Council Centre to see demonstrations of the important handwork of Bengal, including Kantha embroidery. Afternoon visit to Mother Teresa’s mission. KOLKATA- OBEROI GRAND HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 6 Tue. Feb 10: Morning rail journey on the Shantiniketan Express to Shantiniketan, a unique center of Bengalese culture and learning. SHANTINIKETAN- ROYAL BENGAL HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 7 Wed. Feb 11: Visit the Visva-Bharati university campus, a rural development center for handcrafts, and small village workshops producing kantha embroidery, leatherwork, and the lost-wax “dhokra” metal casting. Evening Baul folk performance. SHANTINIKETAN- ROYAL BENGAL HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 8 Thu. Feb 12: Drive through the West Bengal countryside back to Calcutta, stopping to visit the terracotta temples of Vishnupur. Dinner on your own. Evening flight to Bhubaneshwar, capital of ORISSA. BHUBANESHWAR- MAYFAIR HOTEL (B,L)
Day 9 Fri. Feb 13: Excursion to Nuapatna to see silk and cotton ikat weaving, and to a Dokra village to see the lost wax process adapted in brass wire work. Dinner on your own. BHUBANESHWAR- MAYFAIR HOTEL (B,L)
Day 10 Sat. Feb 14: Morning sightseeing of the temples of Bhubaneshwar. Afternoon visit to silver filigree workshops. Dinner on your own. BHUBANESHWAR- MAYFAIR HOTEL (B,L)
Day 11 Sun. Feb 15: Begin overland journey into the ethnic regions of Orissa. Drive to Keonjar, visiting Tussar weaving and terracotta villages. KEONJAR- HOTEL ORISSA (B,L,D)
Day 12 Mon. Feb 16: Morning visit to see lost-wax wire work. Continue to Baragarh, center for sambalpuri ikat weaving. BARAGARH- HOTEL BARAGARH (B,L,D)
Day 13 Tue. Feb 17: Departure for Rayagada stopping to visit the Kutia Kondh tribe and a local market along the roadside. Box lunch. RAYAGADA- SAI INTERNATIONAL HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 14 Wed. Feb 18: Continue drive to Jeypore, visit the tribal museum in Koraput. JEYPORE- HOTEL HELLO JEYPORE (B,L,D)
Day 15 Thu. Feb 19: Very early morning departure for Onkadelli to see the Thursday Bonda tribal market. In addition to the well known Bonda tribe, the Didayis and the Malis ethnic groups also frequent this weekly market. Continue through the mountains to Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. VISHAKHAPATNAM- TAJ RESIDENCY HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 16 Fri. Feb 20: Friday mid-day flight back to Bhubaneshwar and drive to Puri, with the remainder of the day to relax. PURI- TOSHALI SANDS (B,L,D)
Day 17 Sat. Feb 21: Visit the 13th century Sun Temple of Konarak and the crafts village Raghurajpur to see pattachitra painting, masks, palm leaf etchings and the making of Ganjifa cards. PURI- TOSHALI SANDS (B,L,D)
Day 18 Sun. Feb 22: Visit the temples of Bhubaneshwar, as well as silver filigree workshops. Dinner on your own. BHUBANESHWAR- MAYFAIR HOTEL (B,L)
Day 19 Mon. Feb 23: Visit the crafts village of Pipli to see applique work. Dinner on your own. BHUBANESHWAR- MAYFAIR HOTEL (B,L)
Day 20 Tue. Feb 24: Early morning flight to Calcutta with an afternoon return visit to the West Bengal Crafts Centre for interested persons. Farewell dinner this evening. KOLKATA- OBEROI GRAND HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 21 Wed. Feb 25: After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. Late lunch on the plane, dinner on your own. BANGKOK- AMARI AIRPORT HOTEL (B)
Day 22 Thu. Feb 26: Early morning departure for our Thai Airways flight to Los Angeles. In-flight meals (B)

MEXICO: OAXACA FOLK ART & LIVING TRADITIONS

12 DAYS: MARCH 11 – 22, 2004

$2276 LAND ONLY per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

Join Tom on his 4th journey exploring the handcrafts, folkarts and traditional village life of the Central Valley of Oaxaca. Situated at about 5000 feet and surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, the central highland valley radiates outward east, south and northwest from the capital city of Oaxaca. Using comfortable Hostal CasAntica in Oaxaca City as our base for 11 nights, our days will be filled with excursions into the countryside and villages to meet folk potters, a ceramic artist, weavers, embroiderers, woodcarvers & maskmakers, tinworkers, candlemakers, papermakers and blacksmiths.

Day 1 Thu. March 11: Arrival in Oaxaca by your own independent air arrangements. On arrival you will be met and transferred to our hotel. Land arrangements begin with your arrival transfer from Oaxaca airport to our hotel. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (D)
Day 2 Fri. March 12: Located at about 5000 feet in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, Oaxaca City enjoys a moderate climate year-round. After breakfast, walking orientation sightseeing of colonial Oaxaca to include the Santo Domingo Church, the State Regional Museum located in the beautifully restored former Dominican monastery, the walking street and the Zocalo (main plaza). Welcoming Oaxacan “comida” (main meal of the day normally served about 2pm). Dinner on your own. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 3 Sat. March 13: Walking orientation sightseeing of colonial Oaxaca to include the Santo Domingo Church and the State Regional Museum. After lunch, visit a local tinworker and the home studio of a ceramic artist. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 4 Sun. March 14: Morning excursion takes us through the East Valley to visit Tlacolula’s ancient ethnic market, where villagers come from all over the valley to trade… a whirl of traditional dress, and unique headwear. Continue to the Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle to visit with local families producing elaborately decorated handmade beeswax candles and handwoven rugs. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 5 Mon. March 15: Excursion to the mountaintop archaeological site of Monte Alban which flourished as a religious, political and commercial center for more than 1200 years. After lunch we visit a woodcarving workshop where colorful “alebrijes” (fantastical wooden animals) are made. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 6 Tue. March 16: Morning visit to a village specializing in backstrap weaving and then to a village of maskmakers. Lunch in a local restaurant. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 7 Wed. March 17: Excursion into the South Valley to visit the village of San Antonio to meet a family producing embroidered clothing. Visit the black pottery village of San Bartolo Coyotepec to see a family workshop. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 8 Thu. March 18: Drive to Ocotlán to visit the workshop of the Aguilar brothers, blacksmiths forging knives. Visit the famed Aguilar sisters’ home workshops where they make colorful folk pottery. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 9 Fri. March 19: This morning we visit a paper-making factory using natural fibers. Afternoon visit with a master weaver. Dinner on your own. Folkdance performance this evening. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 10 Sat. March 20: Experience Oaxaca’s unique cuisine as we take part in a special “hands-on” cooking workshop. Lunch at the workshop. Dinner on your own. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,L)
Day 11 Sun. March 21: Today is yours for independent exploring, relaxing or shopping. Shops are normally open Sunday from late morning until late afternoon, and there are always various performances and activities happening on the Zocalo. Lunch on your own. This evening brings us together for our farewell dinner. OAXACA- HOSTAL CASANTICA (B,D)
Day 12 Mon. March 22: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport is provided for your independent return flight home. (B)

MEXICO: MICHOACÁN HANDWORK OF HIGHLANDS

13 DAYS: MARCH 23 – APRIL 4, 2004

$2488 LAND ONLY per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

Join us in exploring the diversity of handcrafts & folkarts of the scenically beautiful mountainous state of Michoacán. One of the striking features of Michoacán’s highlands is the range of extinct (and not-so-extinct) volcanoes in a pine-forested mountain landscape. Using the beautiful colonial capital city of Morelia and the colonial town of Pátzcuaro as our bases, we explore small family handcraft workshops in the surrounding villages and countryside. Visit woodworkers, ceramic artists and potters, a ceramic tile workshop, backstrap weavers, basketmakers, lacquer and papier mache artisans, and copperworkers.

Day 1 Tue. March 23: Arrival in Mexico City by your own independent air arrangements. On arrival take the convenient walkway to our airport hotel. Dinner on your own. MEXICO CITY- MARRIOTT AIRPORT HOTEL
Day 2 Wed. March 24: After breakfast we depart by private bus for the colonial city of Morelia (6300 ft), capital of Michoacan state, and designated by UNESCO as a Cultural Patrimony of Humanity. Our hotel for the next four nights is the Hotel de la Soledad, a restored former stagecoach stop, with a beautiful bougainvillea draped courtyard. MORELIA- HOTEL DE LA SOLEDAD (B,L)
Day 3 Thu. March 25: Walking orientation of Morelia’s historic center including the Cathedral and the State Artisans Museum. Welcoming dinner. MORELIA- HOTEL DE LA SOLEDAD (B,D)
Day 4 Fri. March 26: Excursion to a nearby village known for its distinctive green-glazed pottery. Visit a family workshop and the local church. MORELIA- HOTEL DE LA SOLEDAD (B,L)
Day 5 Sat. March 27: Morning visit to a ceramic tile workshop and a woodcarving family. Afternoon visit to the local sweets market. MORELIA- HOTEL DE LA SOLEDAD (B,L)
Day 6 Sun. March 28: Depart Morelia for the colonial town of Pátzcuaro. Afternoon walking orientation of the town including the main plazas and the “House of Eleven Courtyards” craft center. PATZCUARO- POSADA LA BASILICA (B,L)
Day 7 Mon. March 29: Morning excursion by boat on Lake Pátzcuaro to the island of Janitzio. Afternoon visit to a lacquerware workshop. PATZCUARO- POSADA LA BASILICA (B,L)
Day 8 Tue. March 30: Visit a village of backstrap weavers and another known for its mask making. Lunch in a local restaurant. PATZCUARO- POSADA LA BASILICA (B,L)
Day 9 Wed. March 31: Drive to Tzintzuntzan, located on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro, and former capital of the Purepecha nation. Visit the archaeological site, St. Francis Monastery and a family ceramic workshop. PATZCUARO- POSADA LA BASILICA (B,L)
Day 10 Thu. April 1: Today we’ll visit a woodcarving workshop before driving to Santa Clara del Cobre to visit the Copper Museum and a local copper workshop. PATZCUARO- POSADA LA BASILICA (B,L)
Day 11 Fri. April 2: Morning walk to the Friday ceramics market, with the rest of the day at leisure for independent exploring. Lunch on your own. This evening brings us together for our farewell dinner, with a performance of the Dance of the Old Men. PATZCUARO- POSADA LA BASILICA (B,D)
Day 12 Sat. April 3: Morning departure for our return drive to Mexico City, with lunch in a local restaurant along the way. Dinner on your own. MEXICO CITY- MARRIOTT AIRPORT HOTEL (B,L)
Day 13 Sun. April 4: Breakfast at the hotel. Take the convenient walkway back to the airport for check-in for your independent return flight home. (B)

CHINA: THE SILK & CRAFT ROUTE

21 DAYS: APRIL 30 – MAY 20, 2004

$4996 plus airport taxes, from San Francisco

Air & land, per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

Join Tom on our 16th journey to China to explore the rich culture and diverse handwork of this vast land. This journey follows the ancient Silk Road which converged at Kashgar, which is populated mostly by Muslim national minorities and retains its Central Asian atmosphere. We’ll visit the local market, a handcraft cooperative, and Id Kah Mosque. On Saturday, provided weather and road conditions are favorable, an excursion along a portion of the Karakoram Highway into the Pamir mountains.

Day 1 Fri. Apr 30: Mid-day departure from San Francisco for our Singapore Airlines flight to Hong Kong. Meals served on board.
Day 2 Sat. May 1: Crossing the International Date Line we lose a day. Late night arrival in Hong Kong and overnight at our airport hotel. HONG KONG- REGAL AIRPORT HOTEL
Day 3 Sun. May 2: Early morning flight to Beijing. After lunch visit the Temple of Heaven. Welcoming dinner this evening. BEIJING- TIANLUN DYNASTY HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 4 Mon. May 3: Morning visit with a traditional lantern-maker. Visit the Red Bridge Market. Afternoon visit to the Forbidden City. Dinner on your own. BEIJING- TIANLUN DYNASTY HOTEL (B,L)
Day 5 Tue. May 4: Full day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Evening Peking Duck dinner. BEIJING- TIANLUN DYNASTY HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 6 Wed. May 5: Visit the Summer Palace before our afternoon flight to Xian. XIAN- GRAND CASTLE HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 7 Thu. May 6: Full day exploring Xian… the Terracotta Warriors, the Old City wall, the Great Mosque and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. XIAN- GRAND CASTLE HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 8 Fri. May 7: Morning flight to Dunhuang, an important caravan stop on the Silk Route. DUNHUANG- DUNHUANG HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 9 Sat. May 8: Visit the Mogao Grottoes, a complex of 492 grottoes with marvelous murals and sculptures. Sunset camel ride in the Singing Sand Dunes. DUNHUANG- DUNHUANG HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 10 Sun. May 9: Drive across the Gobi Desert to Liuyuan to board our overnight train for Turpan. OVERNIGHT TRAIN (B,L,D)
Day 11 Mon. May 10: Morning arrival in Turpan, an oasis town located in a depression 500 ft. below sea level. Sightseeing to include the Karez irrigation system, the Emin Minaret and the Jiaohe ruins. TURPAN- OASIS HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 12 Tue. May 11: Visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and local Uighur villages. TURPAN- OASIS HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 13 Wed. May 12: Drive to Urumqi, stopping en route to visit a salt lake and wind power station. URUMQI- HOI TAK HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 14 Thu. May 13: Full day excursion to Heavenly Lake, located in the Tianshan Mountains. Meet Kazakh herdsmen in their yurts. URUMQI- HOI TAK HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 15 Fri. May 14: Morning flight to Kashgar, the legendary Silk Route market town. KASHGAR- SEMAN HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 16 Sat. May 15: Explore the Old Town of Kashgar, visit the Id Kah Mosque and the Abakh Hoja Tomb. KASHGAR- SEMAN HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 17 Sun. May 16: This morning we explore the great Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar, with the remainder of the day at leisure to rest or for last minute exploring. Late night flight to Urumqi. URUMQI- HOI TAK HOTEL (B,L)
Day 18 Mon. May 17: Sightseeing in Urumqi to include the Regional Museum with its outstanding collection of minority costumes and textiles, and the museum’s “mummy” collection. Afternoon at leisure for independent exploring. URUMQI- HOI TAK HOTEL (B,L)
Day 19 Tue. May 18: Morning flight to Beijing. After lunch we visit the Panjiayuan “Antique” Market. Farewell dinner this evening. BEIJING- TIANLUN DYNASTY HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 20 Wed. May 19: This morning we return to the airport for our Singapore Airlines flight to Hong Kong. HONG KONG- REGAL AIRPORT HOTEL (B)
Day 21 Thu. May 20: Early morning departure for our Singapore Airlines flight to San Francisco. In-flight meals (B)

BOLIVIA: TRADITIONAL LIFE OF THE HIGHLANDS

16 DAYS: JUNE 1 – 16, 2004

$3588 plus airport taxes, from Miami

Air & land, per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

Join us for our 6th adventure into the Bolivian Highlands, a high altitude starkly beautiful, rugged and remote land. Bolivia is one of the least developed South American countries and has retained much of its traditional culture. Our tour focuses on the highland cities of Cochabamba, Sucre, Potosi and La Paz, and visits family workshops producing ceramics, handwoven textiles and musical instruments.

Day 1 Tue. June 1: Late evening departure from Miami on our LAB Bolivian Airlines flight to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. In-flight meals.
Day 2 Wed. June 2: Early morning arrival in Santa Cruz, where we connect onwards for our flight to Cochabamba located in a valley at about 8,400 ft. Relax before lunch and our afternoon visits to a women’s cooperative. COCHABAMBA- HOTEL PORTALES (L,D)
Day 3 Thu. June 3: Today we visit a charango workshop, and potters and knitters from surrounding villages. COCHABAMBA- HOTEL PORTALES (B,L,D)
Day 4 Fri. June 4: Morning flight to Sucre (9,200 ft), a beautiful city that has retained its colonial atmosphere with whitewashed buildings. SUCRE- HOSTAL DE SU MERCED (B,L,D)
Day 5 Sat. June 5: Sightseeing of Sucre’s old churches and colonial museums. Visit the ASUR textile museum. SUCRE- HOSTAL DE SU MERCED (B,L,D)
Day 6 Sun. June 6: Full day excursion into the countryside to Tarabuco for the Sunday market where traditional dress is still prevalent. Return to Sucre. SUCRE- HOSTAL DE SU MERCED (B,L,D)
Day 7 Mon. June 7: Morning flight to Potosí (13,400 ft), once the richest city in the Americas due to its silver mines. Walking tour of the colonial center. POTOSÍ- HOTEL HOSTAL PATRIMONIO (B,L,D)
Day 8 Tue. June 8: Morning visit to the Casa de la Moneda (the colonial mint). After lunch we’ll visit the miners’ market. POTOSÍ- HOTEL HOSTAL PATRIMONIO (B,L,D)
Day 9 Wed. June 9: Morning visit to a silversmith workshop in Potosí before lunch and our return drive to Sucre. Dinner on your own. SUCRE- HOSTAL DE SU MERCED (B,L)
Day 10 Thu. June 10: Morning flight to La Paz (11,500 ft). Afternoon walking orientation of the city center. LA PAZ- HOTEL PRESIDENTE (B,L,D)
Day 11 Fri. June 11: Morning visit to the Coca Museum and the Museum of Musical Instruments. Afternoon visit to the “witches market.” LA PAZ- HOTEL PRESIDENTE (B,L,D)
Day 12 Sat. June 12: Visit the local silver market and a jewelry workshop. Dinner on your own. LA PAZ- HOTEL PRESIDENTE (B,L)
Day 13 Sun. June 13: Very early morning departure for our full day excursion to Lake Titicaca… travel is by bus and catamaran. Visit the Island of the Sun. En route back to La Paz we’ll visit a village of Aymara basketmakers. LA PAZ- HOTEL PRESIDENTE (B,L)
Day 14 Mon. June 14: Morning visit to some of La Paz’ costume and mask workshops. After lunch we’ll drive up to El Alto to meet a woodcarving family and to see a women’s cooperative producing natural-dyed & handwoven textiles, handknit sweaters, ceramics and musical instruments. Farewell dinner. LA PAZ- HOTEL PRESIDENTE (B,L,D)
Day 15 Tue. June 15: The day is yours for last-minute exploring and shopping. Dinner on your own. Transfer to the airport for our late night flight. (B,L)
Day 16 Wed. June 16: Connect in Santa Cruz for our LAB flight back to Miami. In-flight meals.

CENTRAL ASIA: BAZAARS OF UZBEKISTAN & TURKMENISTAN

22 DAYS: OCTOBER 6 – 27, 2004

Price: $5549 plus airport taxes, from NYC

Air & land, per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

Travel in Central Asia is a bittersweet mix of old and new, with pockets of “gems” scattered throughout this region located between the Caspian Sea and Western China. Uzbekistan is by far the most diverse and exciting country… in Samarkand and Bukhara the old cities are magnificent with fabulous architecture! Old textiles are plentiful… carpets & suzani wall hangings, traditional dress, embroidery, silk ikat, hats, animal trappings, felt rugs as well as jewelry, ceramics, wood and metal. In Ferghana Valley, the small Uzbek villages of Margilan and Rishtan are home to potters, a jeweler, silk ikat weavers and a master blockprinter. The historic old walled village of Khiva, words do not describe the incredible beauty of this place.

Day 1 Wed. Oct 6: Evening departure from JFK New York for our Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, Turkey. In-flight meals.
Day 2 Thu. Oct 7: Morning arrival in Istanbul, and transfer to our hotel located in Old Istanbul within walking distance of Aya Sofya. After lunch, walking orientation of Old Istanbul to include the Grand Bazaar. ISTANBUL-ARCADIA HOTEL (L,D)
Day 3 Fri. Oct 8: Morning Bosphorus cruise with the remainder of the day at leisure, lunch & dinner on your own. Late afternoon we return to the airport for our Turkish Airlines flight to Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN. Very late night arrival in Tashkent where we will be met by our special tour escort and friend Raisa Gareeva who will accompany us throughout our time in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. TASHKENT-HOTEL UZBEKISTAN (B)
Day 4 Sat. Oct 9: Mid-morning we begin our sightseeing of Tashkent to include the Museum of Fine Arts to see the fabulous suzani embroideries, the Museum of Applied Arts, and visit the home studio of a ceramic artist. Special welcoming dinner this evening. TASHKENT- HOTEL UZBEKISTAN (B.L,D)
Day 5 Sun. Oct 10: Today we drive through the mountains to Ferghana, stopping en route for lunch and to visit a master of traditional ceramics. FERGHANA- HOTEL 777 (B,L,D)
Day 6 Mon. Oct 11: Ferghana Valley is unique as many traditional craftspeople can still be found working in the small Uzbek villages of Margilan and Rishtan. On Monday we visit the silk ikat factory and small regional workshops… a traditional blockprinter, a family of ikat weavers, and a jeweler. FERGHANA-HOTEL 777 (B,L,D)
Days 7,8 Tue,Wed Oct 12,13: Tuesday we visit the local bazaar before our afternoon flight to Tashkent. Wednesday we visit the Puppet Museum and the Uzbek Puppet Theatre. Wednesday afternoon we will be treated to a showing of contemporary clothing based on traditional cultural influences. TASHKENT- HOTEL UZBEKISTAN (B,L,D daily)
Days 9,10 Thu,Fri Oct 14,15: Thursday morning flight to Urgench and continue by road to Khiva. For two days we’ll explore the Old Town of Khiva with its narrow streets and ancient architecture with wonderful old turquoise tiles. Visit a family of woodcarvers. Our hotel is an old medressa with a superb location within the walls of historic Khiva… very basic and simple accommodation with private bath. KHIVA- MEDRESSA HOTEL (B.L,D daily)
Days 11,12 Sat,Sun Oct 16,17: Saturday morning we cross the border for our flight from Tashauz to Ashkhabad, TURKMENISTAN. Today we visit the National Museum with its outstanding collection of costumes & jewelry. This afternoon we meet a very special couple, a jewelry artisan and his wife who is a feltmaker, visiting their “yurta” in the countryside. The next morning we visit the overwhelming Tolkuchka Sunday Bazaar located on the outskirts of Ashkhabad, with the central core of the market filled with carpets, felts, jewelry & traditional dress! Afternoon visit to the Carpet Museum. ASHKHABAD- HOTEL NISA (B.L.D daily)
Days 13,14 Mon,Tue Oct 18,19: Monday we drive east through cotton & tobacco fields and vineyards to Mary. Tuesday explore the ruins of Merv, one of the most important cities of Islam from the 8th until the 13th century, particularly under the Seljuks during the 11th & 12th centuries. The site consists of a series of adjacent walled towns, now disintegrating mudbrick with occasional standing structures. Visit the Mary Regional Museum located in a former merchant’s house. Our hotel in Mary is the best available, but is very basic and simple accommodation with private bath. MARY- HOTEL SANDJAR (B.L.D daily)
Day 15 Wed. Oct 20: A full day’s drive across the Kara-Kum Desert to Bukhara, UZBEKISTAN. BUKHARA- SALOM INN (B.L.D)
Days 16,17 Thu,Fri Oct 21,22: We’ll spend two days exploring the architecture and workshops of Bukhara… the mausoleum of the Samanids, Ark Fortress, and the local Craft Center to meet silk embroiderers and a puppetmaker. Visit the three great trading domes. BUKHARA- SALOM INN (B.L.D daily)
Day 18 Sat. Oct 23: Drive to Samarkand, stopping en route to visit a suzani artist and a family of traditional potters. SAMARKAND- HOTEL AFRASIAB (B.L.D)
Days 19,20 Sun,Mon Oct 24,25: Sunday morning we visit the Sunday bazaar in Urgut, before returning to Samarkand to see the great Registan Square. Monday morning sightseeing of Samarkand to include the Gur Emir and the Shah-i-Zinda. SAMARKAND- HOTEL AFRASIAB (B.L.D daily)
Day 21 Tue. Oct 26: Morning departure for our drive back to Tashkent. Farewell dinner this evening. TASHKENT- HOTEL UZBEKISTAN (B.L.D)
Day 22 Wed. Oct 27: Early morning transfer for our flight back to JFK New York via Istanbul. In-flight meals. (B)

ROMANIA: WINTER TRADITIONS

18 DAYS: DECEMBER 16, 2004 – JANUARY 2, 2005

Price: $4298 plus airport taxes, from NYC

Air & land, per person, double occupancy

Introduction:

Come join us as we return for our 7th trip celebrating the Winter Traditions of Bucovina, Transylvania and Maramures in Romania! For persons with an interest in traditional folklife, Transylvania’s mountainous region of Maramures is truly a living ethnographic museum. Between Christmas and the New Year, days are filled with fun-loving activities intended as a good omen for the New Year. Connected with the Winter Solstice, the dances with masks in Maramures are visible remnants of pagan processions of the past… the country’s Romanian Orthodox background blended with these pagan remnants manifests itself in the colorful winter traditions of today. One of the organized festivities is the Maramures Winter Festival where villages are represented by men, women & children in traditional dress singing and dancing.

Day 1 Thu. Dec 16: Early evening departure from JFK New York for our AUSTRIAN Airlines flight to Bucharest, Romania… connection in Vienna. Meals served on board.
Day 2 Fri. Dec 17: Late afternoon arrival in Bucharest, capital city of Romania. Welcoming dinner in a folk restaurant this evening. BUCHAREST- LIDO HOTEL (D)
Day 3 Sat. Dec 18: Morning visit to the Peasant Museum, a wonderful collection of traditional handcrafts, ceramics, textiles and folk arts. Departure for our drive through the Carpathian Mountains to Brasov, with lunch en route. BRASOV- ARO PALACE HOTEL (B.L.D)
Day 4 Sun. Dec 19: Morning walking tour of Old Brasov, an ancient Transylvanian city which has retained its medieval quality. Excursion to Bran Castle before lunch in a mountain restaurant. Late afternoon visit with a master woodcarver. BRASOV- ARO PALACE HOTEL (B.L.D)
Day 5 Mon. Dec 20: Continue northeast through the Carpathians to Piatra Neamt, stopping to photograph the villages & countryside along our way. PIATRA NEAMT- HOTEL CEAHLAUL (B.L,D)
Day 6 Tue. Dec 21: Continue across the mountains to Romania’s northeastern province of Moldavia, also called Bucovina, region of painted monasteries. Along our way we’ll stop to visit Agapia Monastery and maskmaker and folk artist Popa Nicolae. CAMPULUNG MOLDOVENSC- HOTEL ZIMBRUL (B.L,D)
Day 7 Wed. Dec 22: Explore the painted monasteries of Voronet and Moldovita, unique as the churches are painted inside & out with marvelous frescoes, considered some of Europe’s fine art treasures. CAMPULUNG MOLDOVENSC- HOTEL ZIMBRUL (B.L,D)
Day 8 Thu. Dec 23: Visit Sucevita monastery and meet a family of traditional eggpainters, as well as visit ethnographic collections. CAMPULUNG MOLDOVENSC- HOTEL ZIMBRUL (B.L,D)
Day 9 Fri. Dec 24: Continue our journey west through beautiful mountainous countryside into Transylvania’s traditional region of Maramures. Early evening we drive to one of the villages in the Iza Valley to enjoy their Christmas Eve celebrations, caroling & dinner with a local family. SIGHETU MARMATIEI- TISA HOTEL (B.L,D)
Day 10 Sat. Dec 25: Explore Maramures villages on Christmas Day. Watch costumed young men in animal masks laden with heavy bells dancing through streets. The Maramures dances with masks are remnants of pagan processions of the past… intended as a good omen for the New Year. SIGHETU MARMATIEI- TISA HOTEL (B.L,D)
Day 11 Sun. Dec 26: See old log homes, carved wooden gates, and wooden churches in the villages of Barsana and Ieud. SIGHETU MARMATIEI- TISA HOTEL (B.L,D)
Day 12 Mon. Dec 27: Maramures Winter Festival in Sighetu Marmatiei. Parade with many villages represented by men, women & children in traditional dress singing and dancing. Folk performance in the afternoon. SIGHETU MARMATIEI- TISA HOTEL (B.L,D)
Day 13 Tue. Dec 28: Today we depart Maramures as we drive south to the university town of Cluj, stopping to visit a straw hatmaker en route. Orientation sightseeing of Cluj by bus. CLUJ- VICTORIA HOTEL (B.L,D)
Day 14 Wed. Dec 29: Drive to Sibiu in southern Transylvania. Stop at Saliste village to visit a felt hat workshop and an old water-powered gristmill before lunch with our hatmaker friend and his family. SIBIU- HOTEL IMPARATUL ROMANILOR (B.L,D)
Day 15 Thu. Dec 30: Morning walking sightseeing of the Old Town of Sibiu… the old city walls, town squares, and medieval staircase. Visit with one of our weaver friends in Avrig village. SIBIU- HOTEL IMPARATUL ROMANILOR (B.L,D)
Day 16 Fri. Dec 31: Visit folkart shop and Sibiel village for icons painted on glass. New Year’s Eve celebration in Sibiu to welcome 2005! SIBIU- HOTEL IMPARATUL ROMANILOR (B.L,D)
Day 17 Sat. Jan 1: Mid-morning departure for our drive south to Bucharest. Farewell dinner this evening. BUCHAREST- LIDO HOTEL (B.L,D)
Day 18 Sun. Jan 2: Transfer to the airport for our AUSTRIAN Airlines return flight to JFK New York. In-flight meals (B)

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

All cancellations must be made in writing. If a cancellation is made more than 90 days before departure, the full deposit will be refunded less a $100 processing fee. Between 89 and 60 days, 50% of the tour price is non-refundable. Within 59 days of departure, 100% of the tour price is non-refundable.

INSURANCE:

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to protect your investment. Information on insurance options will be sent to you upon receipt of your deposit.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Craft World Tours (CWT Inc.) and its representatives act only as agents for the various suppliers of services (hotels, transportation, etc.) and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour.

CWT TOUR DIRECTORS:

CWT Tour Directors (Tom & Sherry Wilson) will accompany most tours to ensure the smooth operation and delivery of services.

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