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On
Sale Now:
"Getting
Lost: Mishaps of an Accidental Nomad"
Winner
of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop Book Proposal Contest
"When you travel, things go wrong." That
might not sound like uplifting advice, but in this hilarious collection
of stories about mishaps in faraway places, Dave Fox proves otherwise.
Find Out More
"Dave
Fox's writing is hilarious. It's rare to find a person who has
such unique stories to tell and can write about them to boot."
--
Tim Bete, Director of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
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Travel Journaling Cruise: March 4-14, 2009
Become an Expert Travel Journaler as You Explore the
Caribbean!
Our
Itinerary
Travel Journaling Cruise ~ Learn Travel Journaling at Sea ~ Trans-Atlantic Cruise to Brazil, Cape Verde, Morocco, and Spain
Brazil
~ Cape Verde ~ Morocco ~ Spain
 During
our 16-day journey, we'll visit four countries on three continents. For
our first few days, we meander up the coast of Brazil. Then we head northeast,
crossing the Equator and the Atlantic Ocean, stopping at the small island
nation of Cape Verde and then continuing onto Morocco and Spain. On our
days in port, you can sign up for a variety of shore excursions the cruiseline
offers. Travelers with a more independent and/or frugal spirit are encouraged
to strike out on their own and find their own adventures.
On our days at sea, we'll have a series of writing classes – a mix
of lectures for the whole group, and smaller workshops that will be repeated
in three different sessions so everyone gets some hands-on writing experience
and personal attention.
(Please note that the below itinerary is subject to change. Times and
topics for specific class sessions may be adjusted, and the cruiseline
reserves the right to change the itinerary as conditions require.)
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio was the capital of Brazil for almost 200 years, ceding the title
to São Paulo in the early 1960s. It’s known for its contrast of
sparkling turquoise waters and white sandy beaches at Ipanema and Copacabana.
The imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the newly named Modern
Seven Wonders of the World, looks down from Corcovado and is visible from
just about anywhere in the city. You may want to arrive a day or two early
to tour this vibrant city before our cruise departs. We set sail on Friday,
March 27, at 4 p.m. In the evening, we'll get to know the other members
of our group at a hosted cocktail reception.
 Day
2: Cruising up the Brazilian Coast
We'll kick off our journaling classes today with an introductory lesson
for the whole group. Then, in the afternoon, we'll split into smaller
groups for our first hands-on writing workshops.
Day 3: Salvador, Brazil
We dock in Salvador, Brazil, at 2 p.m. Also known as Bahia, Salvador is
situated on a peninsula with the Atlantic on one side, and All Saints
Bay on the other. Meander through the narrow streets of the old quarter,
peruse the market, gobble down some fresh octopus, or bask in breathtaking
views of the bay and ocean. With a history of European settlement dating
back more than 500 years, its architecture is exceptional. Salvador also
offers an active nightlife and club scene... and our ship remains docked
until the wee hours of the morning for those who choose to experience
it!
Day 4: Continuing along the Brazilian Coast
If you're an early riser (or if you've just been up all night experiencing
the aforementioned nightlife), soak up the sunrise as we set sail early
this morning. In the afternoon, Dave will offer a talk on "Journaling
Outside the Box" – creative techniques that will add variety
and colorful stories to your travel journals.
 Day
5: Recife, Brazil
If you choose, get an early start on your sightseeing when we dock at
7 a.m. Recife boasts a shoreline of beautiful beaches and vibrant coral
reefs. The water is exceptionally clear, making it one of Brazil's great
scuba destinations. Narrow, winding streets lace together the plazas,
churches, and restored homes of this coastal town. The Malakoff Tower
offers scenic views, an old Dutch fort harkens back to colonial times,
and the Jewish Historic Archive highlights a minority history in this
predominantly Catholic nation. In the afternoon, our trans-Atlantic crossing
begins when we set sail at 4 p.m.
Days 6 - 8: Crossing the Atlantic Ocean
We're at sea for the next three days, with lots of shipboard activities
to choose from. Among them, Dave will continue his series of lectures,
small-group workshops, and drop-in journaling sessions. We'll celebrate
as we cross the Equator, and... hey... a travel journalers' happy hour
just might be in order too!
 Day
9: Porto Grande, Cape Verde
Just in time for dinner, we pull into Porto Grande in the Republic of
Cape Verde. A former Portuguese colony, this cluster of 10 small islands
(and a few smaller islets) became an independent nation in 1975. It's
now on the United Nations list of Small Island Developing States. Portuguese
is the official language, though Cape Verde Creole is the mother tongue
of most inhabitants. Our ship will remain docked here overnight, so you
can come and go as you please.
Day 10: Porto Grande, Cape Verde Islands
Wake up to more island culture. While tourism is a rapidly growing
industry on Cape Verde, the nation remains one of our planet's lesser
developed and more remote countries. The islands offer a mix of heritage
from their closest neighbors, Brazil and Senegal, along with good hiking
and palm tree beaches. We set sail again in the early afternoon, headed
toward Africa.
Days 11-12: Continuing across the Atlantic
Our workshop sessions continue for the next two days. We focus now on
polishing up our journal entries into well-honed essays we can share with
others. In addition, Dave will offer an extra, optional session on how
to get started as a professional freelance writer. He'll share tips on
identifying story ideas, pitching those ideas to editors, and where to
sell your work.
 Day
13: Agadir, Morocco
Agadir is a resort city on North Africa's coast that experienced much
rebuilding following a devastating earthquake in 1960. Visit the 16th-century
Kasbah atop the hill with its expansive views over the Atlantic, the new
city, and the beaches. Stroll through the alleys and browse in the souks.
Or head off toward the Souss Valley with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop
to another ancient fortress town. We'll have a full day to explore, arriving
at 8 a.m. departing at 4 p.m.
Day 14: Continuing across the Atlantic
We'll have one final series of workshops and critique sessions today,
and the chance to sign up for tomorrow afternoon's optional journalers'
open mic. Dave will offer final tips on how to polish up an essay to get
it ready for the book we'll be publishing.
Day 15: Cruising the Mediterranean Sea
Enjoy a free morning in the Mediterranean. In the afternoon and early
evening, we'll rap up our adventures with a journalers' open mic and one
last group happy hour.
 Day
16: Barcelona, Spain
We dock in Barcelona verrrrry early this morning. Once you're awake, you'll
disembark in this charming city, worthy of at least two days exploration.
You could head to the airport and fly home, but... nah. Stay in the old
section of town, close to the nightlife and restaurants. We’ll be arriving
the Saturday prior to Easter Sunday, a busy and fascinating time to visit
Barcelona. Be sure to visit Antonio Gaudi’s unfinished Sagrada Familia
and whimsical Park Guell. If you get tired of the city, journey out of
town to the coastal communities of the Costa Brava or visit the Benedictine
abbey in Montserrat, not too far our of town.
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