Travel Buddies: Fun Trips & Travel Partners found here!

Join here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/bali-small-group-tours/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club have invited us to their classic adventure in Bali.

We’ve been exploring Bali for years crafting a one of a kind experience to the best known and unknown treasures of this special island. From the coastal temples of Tanah Lot, to the gorgeous pure white sand beaches and snorkeling on Nusa Penida island, to the man made wonders of the Jatiluwih rice terraces, we will see an incredible slice of diverse spectacle’s throughout Bali. The food is incredible, amazing photography opportunities, and the locals are known for their friendliness.

Canggu and Tanah Lot Temple

• Enjoy the seaside resort town full of surfing, beachside restaurants, and beautiful sunshine
• Tanah Lot Temple: Privately guided tour of the 16th century temple built upon a rock formation along the rocky shore

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Munduk

• Walk through the expansive undulating rice terraces in the island's interior and enjoy lunch with a view of the lush scenery
• Travel into the country's interior to Munduk to enjoy various waterfall hikes, an included massage, and quietude away from the tourist areas

Taksu Sanur

• En route to Taksu Sanur, stop at incredibly detailed Ulun Danu Bertan Temple built on the shores of a huge lake to honor a god that provides water to the local farmers
• Visit a local farmer's market to purchase and enjoy a multitude of tropical fruit such as lychee, longan, mango, papaya, rambutan, guava, and more
• Stop at a farm specializing in the production of coffee known as kopi luwak, a Balinese specialty that uses partially digested coffee beans
• Included dinner on the beach overlooking the stunning ocean
• Included massage

Nusa Penida

• Take a short ferry to adjacent islands known for dramatic limestone cliff views, beach paradise, secluded bays, island exploration, and a slower pace of life
• Surrounded by turquoise waters, the island's main street is full of ice cream shops, small bars and restaurants, cheap spa treatments, and plenty of quiet beaches
• Optional activities include snorkeling with the chance to swim with manta rays and a trip to other islands to explore mangroves, unique cultural experiences, and geological wonders

Ubud

• Shop around in this artistic capital known for wood carving, stone carving, painting, custom jewelry, and handmade goods
• Walk through the Monkey Temple containing hundreds of long-tailed macaques in this forest sanctuary throughout the sprawling temple complex
• Final night's Farewell Dinner includes a traditional Balinese dance performance that recreates cultural tales and legends

Bali small group tours inclusions:

• 8 Night/9 Day adventure
• Amazing Balinese style bungalows and boutique hotels
• Privately guided, small group tour
• Delicious local meals throughout - daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
• 3 Massages throughout the experience - great way to unwind and relax at the end of a day’s adventure!
• All taxes and entrance included
• All transfers and ground transportation included
• Roommate pairing
• International airfare is not included but we will assist all guests with finding the best flight! We will be flying into and out of Denpasar International Airport (airport code: DPS)

Email us to see daily itinerary for our Bali tour at joinus@photoflytravel.com

Join Us!

For our solo travelers, we can pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $2,495
Single Supplement: $595.00

Deposit: $600.00

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/bali-small-group-tours/

Join Here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/portugal-azores-group-tours/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club are relaunching their Portugal and Azores tour. It is an excellent program in a small group that highlights the diverse and stunning culture of Old-World Portugal and the gorgeous landscapes, beaches, and villages of the Azores.

Part 1: Mainland Portugal (8 Nights/9 Days)

Porto & the North (3 Nights)

• Privately guided walking tour of city landmarks including city hall, D. Luis bridge, and Stock Exchange Palace
• The most colorful & lively district: Discover Ribeira
• Wine tasting while exploring the valley: Road trip along the route that offers viewpoints, wine, and walks
• Cruise on the Douro

Central Portugal & Mountain Villages (1 Night)

• Free time in Piódão village: This is the perfect place to wander the narrow streets and peculiar alleys made of shale rock
• Exploring Foz d'Égua: This moderate hike begins in Piódão and takes us to an idyllic and unforgettable little village
• Convent of the Soothing of the Blessed Sacrament: This historical landmark and former 18th-century convent is our hotel for the night!
• The Schist Villages: Talesnal & Casal de São Simão
• Fragas de São Simão Walkway: The wooden paths embrace dramatic granite landscapes, steep hills, an enchanting valley, and also vestiges of laurel forest

Coimbra & the Coast (2 Nights)

• Privately guided tour of the University City
• Visit University of Coimbra: Highlights include their massive Baroque Library and Cabinet of Curiosities filled with unusual treasures through the ages
• The Old Cathedral built in 1117
• The Walled Labyrinth privately guided walking tour of Óbidos'

Lisbon, City of Hills (2 Nights)

• Guided tuk-tuk adventure in the capital
• St. George's Castle: Towering dramatically above Lisbon, the 11th-century fortifications
• Belém Tower & the Monument of Discoveries: See and photograph these World-Heritage Sites that represent the epi-center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery.

Part 2: The Azores (6 Nights/7 Days)

São Miguel: The Green Isle (2 Nights)

• Botanical gardens and hot springs
• The most unique meal in the world: The stew cooked using Furnas’s natural volcanic heat!
• The oldest tea plantation in Europe
• Epic photos at viewpoints
• Giant caldera hike
• The Azorean Pineapple: A fun stop takes us to one of the 6,000 pineapple plantations on the island

Faial: The Blue Isle (2 Nights)

• Explore the great crater & interpretation center
• Photograph from multiple viewpoints the caldeira, a massive volcanic cone now classified as a nature reserve
• Enjoy sprawling views of Ponta da Espalamaca with views of Horta town, the Northern Atlantic, and nearby islands

Pico: The Mountain Island (Day Trip)

• Cachorro Rocks: A photo stop reveals unique volcanic rock formations
• Visit Adega a Buraca winery to sample their product and learn about the process
• Visit Whaling Factory and Fishermen Museum to learn about the island's early economic driver
• Visit Church of São Mateus
• Criação Velha Vinyards: The unique methods for producing grapes ideal for winemaking on such difficult terrain is what lead to this site's important designation. Lajido da Criação Velha is the best example showcasing the art of dividing the land and planting vines in the lava rock.

Flores: The Flower Island (2 Nights)

• The westernmost county in Europe
• A curious rock: Rocha dos Bordões is the postcard image and symbol of Flores. The basaltic formation provides a unique and unforgettable landscape with geometrical rock columns that resemble a man-made structure
• The great fajãs: This Portuguese term describes the beautiful coastal formation of a small flat land on the ocean below giant cliffs
• More beauty at the highest point: The Morro Alto forest reserve area is the highest point on Flores Island
• The 7 Lagoas: We'll explore this lush area with a number of serene lakes throughout the valleys

Corvo Day Trip: The Black Isle

• Caldeirão, The Crater: This ancient crater is responsible for the epic landscape of the extinct volcano that gave rise to the island
• The Village: Vila Nova do Corvo is the sole town on the entire island and unites the old and new in two distinct sections
• Lots of wind: Before electricity came to the island wind was the main source of food production via a number of windmills. Today 3 unique windmills still stand and function from this long-lost tradition

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Price: $4,495
Single Supplement: $895

Deposit: $600

Check out our club's official trip page: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/portugal-azores-group-tours/

Fall weather in this area is warm with day average temperatures 60 degree F. See updates of weather forecasts at:
https://bit.ly/3WXy9TN

• 6days/5nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
• The starting point is Winnipeg International Airport (YWG) in Winnipeg, MB, CAN and the ending point is Fargo International Airport (KFAR) in Fargo, North Dakota (or YWG - drive back to Winnipeg with me, where rental car to be returned.)
• Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.

Hotel accommodations in Winnipeg, MB, Brandon, MB, Wibaux, MT, Jamestown/Valley City, ND. All locations in this event follow safety requirements by the state.

Clothes and gear recommended:

• good hiking shoes,
• warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat.

Tentative cost $590. What is included:

• 6days/5nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two queen beds in room)
• Breakfasts at some hotels,
• Transportation by minivan (like Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand or similar) covering approx. 1000 mi of road-tripping total,
• Park entrance fees at Theodor Roosevelt NP,
• Organized hikes in all days.

What is NOT included:

• Getting to Winnipeg, MB, CAN and returning from Fargo, ND,
• Parks entrance fees in Canada except per vehicle fees (but most CAN parks charge per person, not per vehicle),
• Individually charged fees/tours in North Dakota
• Meals, snacks, water (we will drive for grocery shopping in each location.)

Sunrise: 7:20am. Sunset: 7:15pm. Everyday we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or 8am as the latest. If you are a nigh owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight for activities.

UPD. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the chat.) Regular messanger will not work out for this trip, sorry.

Sign up and feel free to comment/mail with questions 👍

Title photo: Theodor Roosevelt National Park

UPD. Photo-albums from the previous trips with similar features
South Dakota's badlands, bison herds, 2021: https://www.meetup.com/u-s-national-parks-quest-group/photos/31429080/
fall foliage peeping trips to Canadian British Columbia and Alberta: https://www.meetup.com/u-s-national-parks-quest-group/photos/33817981/
https://www.meetup.com/u-s-national-parks-quest-group/photos/32009286/