We are excited to announce that iExplore has been nominated for Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2010 in the "Tour Operators/ Safari Outfitters" Category.

Please take a moment to vote for "iExplore Exclusives" and to rate your iExplore Experience.

Voting ends on March 31st, so act fast!

You will also be entered in a sweepstakes to win a $10,00 dream trip!

Lands' End, Islands Of The Bahamas and iExplore.com

Host Travel Twitter Event

Travel Advice and More Than 25 Giveaways and Blogger Promotion

 

Join Lands' End and representatives from the Islands Of The Bahamas and iExplore.com for a Twitter Event to celebrate the Lands' End's Bahamas Adventure to Harbour Island promotion at The Hub www.landsend.com/thehub.  The site features engaging content focusing on travel through the summer as well as the chance to win a trip for four to the pink-sand beaches of Harbour Island.

Be a part of this exciting Twitter Event and tweet with representatives from Lands' End, the Islands Of The Bahamas and iExplore.com.  The event will feature more than 25 fun giveaways ranging from Lands' End luggage, beach towels, travel kits, beach bags and gift cards.

Lands' End Harbour Island Twitter Event

Date:              Wednesday, March 24, 2010 

Time:              7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST

Location:              #landsend

Join the fun and follow:

@LEprMichele, @LEprMolly, @LEprLibby, @VisitTheBahamas,

@iexplore and @iexplore_Amanda

First 50 Pre-Event Travel Blog Posts to Win!

Want to enter for a chance to win a Lands' End $50 gift card?  Here's how in three easy steps:

• Step 1: Share Information about Lands' End Harbour Island Promotion with Followers - Simply visit Lands' End's The Hub at www.landsend.com/thehub and enter to win.  Discover games, polls and a chance to win other exciting prizes.

Step 2: Promote the Twitter Event - Don't forget to promote the Twitter Event to your followers.  Please be sure to disclose that you are participating in the Lands' End Harbour Island blog promotion.

• Step 3: Send a Link - To be entered for a chance to win, you must send a link of your post to Libby.Schmeisser@landsend.com.

The first 50 to post and send a copy of their link with contact information to the email above will receive a $50 Lands' End gift card. 

As we look back at 2009 it is clear that it was a year of adventure and excitement! We saw some new travel trends emerge in 2009--we sent a record number of travelers to Antarctica-which was also our #1 selling destination for the first time ever! We also saw a dramatic increase in the number of travelers to Jordan. Additionally, we saw the number of solo travelers increase.  Throughout the year, the common theme we heard from all of our travelers was a desire to travel to a place that really mattered to them and provided them with a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In addition to sending our customers on amazing trips all over the world, our staff was busy in 2009 reviewing new destinations and continually improving our itineraries for our existing trips! We have sent our experts to Antarctica, Bostwana, China, Egypt, Galapagos Islands and Zambia---just to name a few!

In 2010, we are excited to offer some great new itineraries including a fascinating tour of  Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet, a Gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda and an incredible hiking tour of Piemonte, Italy!

As for me, I am looking forward to spending the holidays with my family in Chicago (yes, it is going to be a white Christmas here judging by all the snow falling outside my window) and a quick ski trip over New Years.

From all of us at iExplore--Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!

 

iExplore's team of travel experts have been busy creating some new Best Of Travel lists that showcase some of the best travel destinations and experiences. This week we focus on the Best Safari destinations.

It should come as no surprise that Africa heads the top 10 list for wildlife and safaris. Not only is this where the notion for the safari began, and the origin of the word, but it contains many of the big greats of the mammal kingdom. However, you may be surprised to learn only three of our Top 10 Safari experiences are based in Africa. Check out our entire list:

Top 10 Safari Destinations
Whether your vision of the ideal safari includes luxury lodges and meals on fine china, or a tent in the bush--we have a trip for you. Our list of top 10 safari destinations is sure to make you ready to pack your pith helmet.