Budget Travel

They are a family-owned business. With family from all around Asia, they are exposed to a variety of Asian cuisines. Their mission is to bring the best of these worlds together at Mi La Cay! Many people assume Mi La Cay is just another pho spot. While they are one of the top-rated pho locations in the DMV, pho is just scratching the surface of Asian flavors! Start the meal off with spring rolls, summer rolls, roast quail or papaya salad. These are all great for sharing around the table. In the mood for poultry, seafood or red meats? Rice or noodles? Soup? They have something to tingle your tongue. Have a look at their menu: [MI LA CAY | Noodles and Grill](http://milacaywheaton.com/#menu) All aboard mates!

Everyone is welcome to join these classes on meditation and modern Buddhism. These classes include both meditations and teachings based on Buddha’s wisdom that can help us to stay peaceful, even in the most challenging times. Topics include the following: * Freeing Ourself from Stress * Understanding the Mind * Learning to Let Go of Negativity * The Keys to Stable & Lasting Change * Staying Positive No Matter What Happens * Freedom from Anger * Why This Day Matters * Forces for Positive Change **To Register:** Visit our class listings page at [MeditationMD.org](https://www.meditationmd.org/classes-retreats). You can also register at the door, arriving 15 min early. **This is an in-person class.** **Cost:** $12 ($8 students, seniors 62+, and unemployed). Free for Monthly Members. **Location:** Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045 **With Teacher Rick Ratigan** A long-time member of KMC Maryland, Rick has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism since 1999, and has been teaching for about 15 years. He is retired from the State of Maryland with a background in Social Services. He is a sincere meditator and Dharma practitioner and is well liked for his compassion and a good sense of humor. Rick’s classes are down-to-earth and practical. Visit our website: [www.MeditationMd.org](https://www.meditationmd.org/classes-retreats)

This group was originally started by Chad Keith who created and hosts a podcast by the same name in Charlotte, NC. I am hoping to continue his legacy here in NoVa as I recently moved to this area. This group is all about finding community around self-improvement and exchanging ideas on how to be your best self and get the most out of life. This group is for anyone who is interested in overcoming average in all areas - career, ambitions, relationships, hobbies, health, everything. I am so excited to meet driven individuals in the NoVa area so please reach out if you have any questions at all. EVERYONE is welcome so please sign up for an upcoming meetup!

Un'ottima occasione per parlare in Italiano con persone di madre lingua. Aperto a tutti i livelli di conoscenza dell'Italiano. Specialmente gustando una buonissima pizza. A presto. Please consider donating to us via the Pledge widget on this page to help us defray the costs of running a Meetup group. **Note: This event occurs on the third Wednesday of every month at Redrocks Columbia Heights**

**Want to help bring your city’s community together?** We’re looking for local hosts to organize small group lunches, evening drinks, mixers, movie get-togethers and curated experiences. **No experience necessary,** just a friendly attitude, some local knowledge, and a willingness to meet a few new people. After each event, we’ll send a short feedback form so we can improve and support you. The host will also be able to provide feedback so we can learn what worked and what didn't. **[Click here](https://form.questionscout.com/6926c9ab87a828a5c11a79fc)** to apply and get started: if you’re selected, we’ll reach out for a quick screening call.

**NOTE: AN RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT SERVE AS A BOOKED SPOT. YOU MUST BOOK VIA LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.** **THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!** **You must book your spot through our website: [[Booking Link Here](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/shape-sip-a-queer-clay-social)]** Bring your curiosity and creative spark! Lesbifriends Travel invites you to *Shape & Sip*, a queer clay social where we trade wine glasses for clay slabs and build something beautiful together. Whether you're sculpting your first coffee mug or just vibing with community energy, this event is all about creation and fun. No experience needed, just come ready to play, sip, and shape your Saturday with us. **Event Details You Should Know:** 📅 **Date:** Saturday, January 24, 2026 ⏰ **Time:** 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM 📍 **Location:** Moonlight Studios in Beltsville, MD 💸 **Cost:** $40 **What to Expect:** 🎨 Hands-on clay fun with guidance (Take home what you create) 🍷 Wine to sip while you sculpt 💖 A cozy, safe space for queer creativity **Who This Event Is For:** Queer BIPOC folks who want a chill, artsy Saturday full of laughter, new Lesbifriends, and feel-good vibes. ✨ Lesbifriends Travel invites you to create art, feel joy, and be connected. Learn more details and claim your spot here: **[Shape & Sip](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/shape-sip-a-queer-clay-social)**! **Booking deadline is January 14, 2026.** **Note:** By attending this event, you agree to being photographed. However, if communicated, we will try our best not to capture you in photos and post you publicly. That request must be communicated ahead of time/at the beginning of the event to photographer and host.

I'm excited to revive a DCUL tradition -- our annual potluck and "big trip" slideshow. You'll get to munch on tasty treats while seeing brief presentations from 2025 "big trips," including Tour du Mont Blanc, Nepal, the Wonderland Trail, and adventures in Colorado and Arizona. It's a great opportunity to socialize, meet other club members, and learn about trips that may be on your bucket list. And who knows--maybe a few plans for 2026 and 2027 trips, domestic or international, will take shape. This will be a potluck, so post what you're planning to bring in the comments. The building is easily accessible by metro—just two blocks from the Eisenhower metro or a short walk from the King Street metro. Limited street parking is available, but there are parking garages nearby.

Greetings from the capital! Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people from all walks of life — students, diplomats, travelers, locals — gather to unwind and connect. [[[Click this whatsapp groupchat link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gf89PPYe3RMAK6Z7SGf5or)]] Our age range is mostly 20s to 30s. If you enjoy discussing culture, politics, travel, or just want to practice a new language, this group is for you. A perfect blend of diversity and dialogue, right in the heart of D.C.

Our monthly meeting: Opportunity to introduce yourself, learn about each other, discuss travel ideas, possibly plan a trip together and make new friends! At this meeting, we will determine our Feb20-22 weekend trip!

Let’s meet at Sweet Greens and discuss travel plans. Hope to see you all there.

Meet for coffee and let’s discuss fun travel ideas and past trips.

**\*\*\*This group is filled. Check out our next departure on Feb 20, 2026:** **https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/\*\*\*** Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, catch a fish (or two) through a hole in the ice, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure! Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value. Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever! ***We visit:*** * Stockholm * Kiruna (Lapland) * Helsinki * Copenhagen (optional extension) ***The trip includes:*** \* 2 nights in Stockholm \* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment \* 4 nights in Kiruna \* 3 nights in Helsinki \* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki \* Arrival and departure transfers \* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki \* Boat ride in Stockholm \* Food tasting in Helsinki \* Breakfast daily \* 2 dinners and 3 lunches \* Northern Lights Tour \* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour \* Full-Day Reindeer Tour \* Ice Fishing or Husky Sleigh Ride **Price per person, double occupancy: $4770** (we match roommates for those wishing to share) **Price for single room: $6320** ***Not Included:*** x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that) x Meals not listed above x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses x Optional extension to Copenhagen The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit **\*\*\*Deposit link removed as this date is sold out. You can reserve your spot for our next departure on Feb 20, 2026 [HERE](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/) \*\*\*** Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).\*\*\* Final payment due 60 days before departure\*\*\* ***[Click Here](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37)***[ and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37) For a detailed Day By Day itinerary: **[Click Here](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)**[ to fill out our info request form](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8) Limited capacity of 14 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly. \*\*\*Airfare from/to the US not included\*\*\* **OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)** ***[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062)***[ to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions. [Click Here to see all our other fun events](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events) SOT 2000318-10

**\*\*\*This group is filled. Check out our next departure on Feb 20, 2026:** **https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/\*\*\*** Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, catch a fish (or two) through a hole in the ice, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure! Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value. Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever! ***We visit:*** * Stockholm * Kiruna (Lapland) * Helsinki * Copenhagen (optional extension) ***The trip includes:*** \* 2 nights in Stockholm \* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment \* 4 nights in Kiruna \* 3 nights in Helsinki \* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki \* Arrival and departure transfers \* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki \* Boat ride in Stockholm \* Food tasting in Helsinki \* Breakfast daily \* 2 dinners and 3 lunches \* Northern Lights Tour \* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour \* Full-Day Reindeer Tour \* Ice Fishing or Husky Sleigh Ride **Price per person, double occupancy: $4770** (we match roommates for those wishing to share) **Price for single room: $6320** ***Not Included:*** x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that) x Meals not listed above x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses x Optional extension to Copenhagen The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit **\*\*\*Deposit link removed as this date is sold out. You can reserve your spot for our next departure on Feb 20, 2026 [HERE](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/) \*\*\*** Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).\*\*\* Final payment due 60 days before departure\*\*\* ***[Click Here](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37)***[ and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37) For a detailed Day By Day itinerary: **[Click Here](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)**[ to fill out our info request form](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8) Limited capacity of 14 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly. \*\*\*Airfare from/to the US not included\*\*\* **OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)** ***[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062)***[ to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions. [Click Here to see all our other fun events](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events) SOT 2000318-10