Small Group Experiential Travel
In honour of our 35th year of operations, we at Adventures Abroad celebrated our birthday with a very popular bi-weekly photo contest. This photo contest drew many participants, and the idea was to take the time during the pandemic to relive fond memories of trips and tours gone by. It was to give us a chance to appreciate past opportunities of travel to experience other cultures and to bide our time until that opportunity arose again. Many of the themes of the photo contests involved destinations like Egypt, Greece, Central Asia and more. Other themes featured wildlife, monuments, and birds. While some themes featured either your Adventures Abroad tour leader, other members of your group, or your best selfie!
So without much further ado, we present to you the winners of the 35th photo contest as voted by YOU, our valued travellers.
Butterflies on a Croc. - Anne H. on her January 2019 trip with her friend Chris C. Winner of the 18th round on Ecuador and Galapagos.
High above the Valley of the Kings (or Queens). - Ashley C. on her November 2018 tour. Winner of the 1st round on Egypt.
Three beauties. On the road near Mt. Kamal, Tibet. - Melvin R. on our October 2003 Himalayan tour. Winner of the 32nd round on the Himalayan region.
In the spirit of our 35th birthday, we also took the opportunity to celebrate by offering two randomly selected voters in this 35th photo contest to receive a $200 travel credit on their next tour with us. Congratulations to: Camille B. and Rich G.! And a big thank you to all of you voters out there who participated in voting to determine the winners!
Congratulations to all of the winners and to all of the photo contest participants over the course of our run. We immensely enjoyed taking the time to go through the submissions and reliving your travel memories. It was a very difficult decision each time to select the winners. Now? We look forward to plenty of new travel memories to come as we return to the magic of travel!
The Adventures Abroad Team
So without much further ado, we present to you the winners of the 35th photo contest as voted by YOU, our valued travellers.
FIRST PLACE WINNER ($500 travel credit toward next tour):
Butterflies on a Croc. - Anne H. on her January 2019 trip with her friend Chris C. Winner of the 18th round on Ecuador and Galapagos.
SECOND PLACE WINNER ($300 travel credit toward next tour):
High above the Valley of the Kings (or Queens). - Ashley C. on her November 2018 tour. Winner of the 1st round on Egypt.
THIRD PLACE WINNER ($200 travel credit toward next tour):
Three beauties. On the road near Mt. Kamal, Tibet. - Melvin R. on our October 2003 Himalayan tour. Winner of the 32nd round on the Himalayan region.
In the spirit of our 35th birthday, we also took the opportunity to celebrate by offering two randomly selected voters in this 35th photo contest to receive a $200 travel credit on their next tour with us. Congratulations to: Camille B. and Rich G.! And a big thank you to all of you voters out there who participated in voting to determine the winners!
Congratulations to all of the winners and to all of the photo contest participants over the course of our run. We immensely enjoyed taking the time to go through the submissions and reliving your travel memories. It was a very difficult decision each time to select the winners. Now? We look forward to plenty of new travel memories to come as we return to the magic of travel!
The Adventures Abroad Team
Past Photo Contest Winners and Runners up
- 34th Week's Photo Contest: Your Best Selfies34th week's winner
Sierra Negra Volcano - Chris C. on our Jan 2019 Galapagos, Andes & Amazon tour
34th week's runners up
Enjoying the wind in my hair with dramatic ocean vistas of 'The Great Ocean Road' - Trish P. on our Feb 2020 Australia tour
At Nahuel Huapi Park - Carol S. on our Nov 2014 Argentina and Chile tour
NOT TOO COMFY. Pit stop on the road somewhere in Burkina Faso - Melvin R. on our Aug 2006 West Africa tour - 33rd Week's Photo Contest: Islands of the Indian Ocean33rd week's winner
Reflections high in the mountains of Reunion. - Chris G. on our May 2018 tour
33rd week's runners up
Woman from the Village of Nioumachoua - Moheli Island, Comoros - Arne P. on our May 2016 tour
Ring-tailed lemur family on the island of Nosy Komba (also known as the Lemurs island), Madagascar - Chris S-J on our May 2016 tour
Sunset in the Comoros Islands - Chris G. on our May 2018 tour - 32nd Week's Photo Contest: Himalayan Region Photos32nd week's winner
Three beauties. On the road near Mt. Kamala, Tibet - Melvin R. on our October 2003 Himalayan tour
32nd week's runners up
In Bhutan, we visited the Punakha Dzong near the town of the same name with an old bridge as the primary access to the entry to the Dzong - Rudy P. on our September 2016 Himalayan tour
Monks at the Clock Tower Square, Thimphu - Eileen B. on our October/November 2019 Bhutan tour
A small monastery taken from the Shanti Stupa near Changspa Village - Ann S. on our June 2013 Ladakh tour - 31st Week's Photo Contest: Wildlife Photos31st week's winner
A young sloth was just hanging out at the beach in Manuel Antonio National Park - Linda S. on our November 2012 Costa Rica tour
31st week's runners up
Playful young mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Viggo D. on our January 2018 Uganda tour
Elephant eye - Eileen B. on our April-May 2013 Namibia and Bostwana tour
Mother cheetah and three cubs feasting on a fresh kill. Serengiti National Park, Tanzania - Ward W. on our September 2008 East Africa tourA Wildlife Collage
With yet another overwhelmingly popular round of this photo competition, instead of doing a "special mention" we could not help but to include a collage of some of our other favourite submissions that show the great diversity of the offerings and activities available on tour with Adventures Abroad.
Photo credits: Rudy P., Veronica P., Viggo D. (@cdn_picturesmith), Richard M., Eileen B., Robin M., Stephen P., June S., John H., J. Frederick F., Barbara C., and David H. - 30th Week's Photo Contest: South Pacific Islands Photos30th week's winner
Bay of Virgins, Fatu Hiva, French Polynesia - Viggo D. (@cdn_picturesmith) on our November 2019 French Polynesia tour
30th week's runners up
End of the Rainbow. Rock Islands off Palau - Melvin R. on our June 2013 South Pacific tour
These young Marquesans don't need to be passengers aboard the Aranui 5 to enjoy its mooring lines - Brenda L. on our November 2019 French Polynesia tour
While the freighter part of the Aranui 5 is busy loading and unloading goods for the island of Hiva Oa, the passengers explode the island and enjoy the scenery - Francois D. on our November 2019 French Polynesia tour - 29th Week's Photo Contest: Sunrise and Sunset Photos29th week's winner
The Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan on the India Sri Lanka tour in 2005 - Melvin R. on our 2005 India Sri Lanka tour
29th week's runners up
Sunset along the beach at Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica in November 2009 - Hart and Anne O. on our November 2009 Costa Rica tour
Sunrise in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, 2011. While staying at Cabanas del Paine in Torres del Paine National Park, I rose early one morning and saw this beautiful sunrise on the Cordillera del Paine mountains - June S. on our October 2011 Chile tour
This was taken on my tour in Mongolia in 2010 - Camel ride at sunset - Linda S. on our June 2010 Mongolia tour - 28th Week's Photo Contest: Monument Photos28th week's winner
Southern Cemetery of the Royal Necropolis of Meroe. On our 2018 trip to Sudan, we visited the Royal Necropolis of Meroe where kings and queens of Nubian Egypt were buried from about 800 BC to 300 AD. Although smaller and younger than the Egyptian pyramids (oldest c 2630 BC), these Sudan pyramids outnumber those in Egypt – 255 pyramids in Sudan to 132 in Egypt - June S. on our October 2018 Sudan tour
28th week's runners up
Monument to the victims of the Holocaust in Victory Park, Moscow - Keith A. on our June 2016 Baltic States and Russia tour
The Jaswant Thada mausoleum as viewed from the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. A beautiful contrast of white marble against the pink sandstone. Constructed by Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur State in the end of the 19th century in honor of his late father - Ward W. on our Feb-March 2012 tour of India
This statue of Rudaki is in a park in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Rudaki, born in 858 near the Tajik town of Panjikentand was a singer, musician and poet and the founder of classical Persian literature - Karen W. on our September 2012 tour of the Silk Road - 27th Week's Photo Contest: Bird Photos27th week's winner
Visitor at Nahuel Huapi Park - Carol S. on our November 2014 Argentina and Chile trip
27th week's runners up
This photo of a Bare-throated Tiger-heron was taken on a trip to Costa Rica in February of 2020 - Wayne S.
Hoatzin on the bank of Añangu stream in the Napo river region of northeastern Ecuador - Scott L. on our February 2019 tour to Ecuador
Brown Pelican - Jacki S. on our March 2016 tour to Ecuador and the Galapagos - 26th Week's Photo Contest: Food Photos26th week's winner
Street food in a Kashgar bazaar on our October 2012 tour of the Silk Road; it looked delicious but we didn't try it - Karen W. on our Sept/October 2012 tour of the Silk Road
26th week's runners up
Patient, experienced hands required - Francois D. on our April 2010 tour of Japan
Ice cream vendor whipping up a serving. A man who enjoys performing. Turkey 2010 with Laura - Doris LR. on our October 2010 Turkey tour
Amazing presentation of this tasty dinner at a restaurant in Zagreb - Ward W. on our May 2013 hiking tour of Croatia and Montenegro
Honourable Mention
Our tour leader, Jonathan, buying corn on the way to Lake Issy-Kul - Chris S-J on our Sept/October 2017 tour of the Five Stans - 25th Week's Photo Contest: Group Photos25th week's winner
Boating fun, Gulf of Tonkin - Dan W. on our March 2016 tour of Vietnam
25th week's runners up
Holi Festival, Jaipur, India. Our tour group, led by Subash Tamang (on the right), bought the white duds at a market. We joined the celebrations in the neighborhood of our hotel, and fully got into the spirit of the Festival of Colors - Ward W. on our February 2012 India tour
'The bridge' on our Wadi Rum 4x4 drive through the desert - Louise P. on our March 2009 tour of Jordan
A tired group, with the local guide on the left, having traversed the side of the volcano Pico de Fogo, Cape Verde - Chris SJ. on our May 2018 tour to Cape VerdeA Collage of our groups
With yet another overwhelmingly popular round of this photo competition, instead of doing a "special mention" we could not help but to include a collage of some of our other favourite submissions that show the great diversity of the offerings and activities available on tour with Adventures Abroad.
Photo credits: Viggo D. (@cdn_picturesmith), Rudy P., Veronica P., Vesna A., Carol S., and Brenda L. - 24th Week's Photo Contest: Hotel Views24th week's winner
Evening view from room at Vang Vieng, Laos on our trip through Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in November 2010. We had a lovely dinner on the terrace overlooking the Nam Song River - Karen W. on our November, 2010 tour
24th week's runners up
Early Morning at Hotel Urgeiriça Urgeiriça, Canas de Senhorim, Portugal - Debbie C. on our September, 2014 tour
The domes of Ashgabat, capital city of Turkmenistan, surround a monument to the country's revered Akhal Teke horse - Angela J. on our October 2018 tour
Chile - Dining Room, Cabanas del Paine, Torres del Paine NP. Our visit to Torres del Paine was one of the highlights on our trip to Chile in October 2011. While in Torres del Paine National Park, we stayed overnight at Cabanas del Paine. We not only had a view of the mountains from our cabin but were able to eat in the dining room with its gorgeous panoramic views of the mountains - June S. on our October 2011 tour - 23rd Week's Photo Contest: The Guayanas23rd week's winner
Exceptional wildlife - Chris G. on our February 2019 trip
23rd week's runners up
Left Baganara Island, Guyana via tiny 5 seater plane enroute to central Guyana to see Kaieteur Falls, surrounded by Amazon rainforest. Thrilling to fly low around falls before landing and walking to see falls at different levels - Roger and Robin B. from our February 2015 tour
Great Egret on the wing at Kabalebo Jungle Resort, Suriname - Linda J. on our Sept. 2013
Carnival time in Guyana - Chris G. on our February 2019 trip - 22nd Week's Photo Contest: Turkey22nd week's winner
Hot Air Balloons over Cappadocia - Viggo D. (@cdn_picturesmith) on our May 2013 tour
22nd week's runners up
Nazar Boncuk Charms to Ward off Evil Eye, Garden of Vasil. In the Cappadocia area, we stopped at the Garden of Vasil for a break and saw this tree covered with Nazar Boncuk charms created to ward off the Evil Eye and keep you safe - June S. on our October 2010 tour
The Blue Mosque - Linda J. on our Sept. 2013
Unusual to see an ancient Sarcophagus in one of the lovely bays - Helen E. on our Sept 2013 tour
Honourable Mention
Photo by Shelley A. from our 1995 Turkey and Greece tour featuring a very young Martin, as "Norton" before he became our head tour leader. - - 21st Week's Photo Contest: Spain21st week's winner
Toledo & the River Tagus - Carol H. on our Sept. 2016 tour
21st week's runners up
Guggenheim Bilbao is a reflection in a glass sphere - Shirley J. on our Sept 2017 trip
A waymarker on The Way of Saint James - Linda S. on our May 2013 tour
Plaza de Espana, in Seville, Spain - Deborah C. on September 2004 - 20th Week's Photo Contest: Photos featuring Tour Leaders20th week's winner
Alastair - Southern Africa. 'Not one to take the easy way up' - Brenda L. on our June 2008 tour
20th week's runners up
Martin enjoying some quality time with the hyenas in Harar, Ethiopia on the Jan 2018 Sudan trip - Scott L. on our January 2018 tour
Serra Hughes - India February, 2012. 'Another time, another place' - Francois D on our February 2012 tour
Victor showing how the pitcher works in a ceramic shop in Turkey - Rudy P. on our April, 2008 tour of Turkey
Typical Jonathan….could have been taken anywhere, but this was in Kyrgyzstan on the April 2017 5-Stans Tour. - Sara G. on our April 2017 5-Stans TourA Collage of our tour leaders
Photo credits: Carol S., Jan K., Jim W., Andrew K., Andrew and Rita C., Hart O., Sara G., Dave H., Angela J., Patricia N., Noreen B., Karen B., and Linda B. - 19th Week's Photo Contest: The Caucasus19th week's winner
Gergeti Trinity Church in Georgia. It has an isolated location on top of a steep mountain, and is a symbol of Georgia. - Dave N. on our September 2014 tour
19th week's runners up
Clock Tower in Tbilisi, Georgia. - Tom O. on our September 2018 tour.
Turkish Mr. Ararat overlooking the Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia (AD 4-17). - Clyde W. on our May 2019 tour
Peter Barathan, the best Adventures Abroad travel guide, eating on the job. - Clyde W. on our May 2019 tour - 18th Week's Photo Contest: Ecuador and Galapagos18th week's winner
Butterflies on a Croc. - Anne H. on her January 2019 trip with her friend Chris C.
18th week's runners up
Fog-shrouded trees on the way to Ingapirca. - Scott L. on our Feb 2019 tour
Blue footed boobie. - Shirley J. on our October 2007 tour
Swimming with a young sea lion - Galapagos Islands. - Dan W. on our Feb 2020 tour
Honourable Mention
Ingapirca. Basic black... - Rudy P. on our March 1995 tour - 17th Week's Photo Contest: Norway and Finland17th week's winner
Winter will soon test these sturdy cabins near Gudvangen. - Francois D. on our September 2018 trip
17th week's runners up
Woman Singing - Waterfall on 'Flamsbana' railway journey, Norway. - Patricia P. on our August 2019 tour
The 600 shimmering pipes of the Sibelius Monument await a breeze in Helsinki; the "Love of Music" is a tribute to Finland's most beloved composer. - Julie H. on our September 2015 tour
View of Bergen from the Floyen Funicular. - Veronica P. on our June 2013 tour - 16th Week's Photo Contest: Morocco16th week's winner
Blue fishing doreys at Essaouira. - David H. on our October 2016 tour
16th week's runners up
Camel ride in a sand storm. - Linda S. on our April 2016 tour
Ait Ben Haddou panorama shot. - Viggo D. on our October 2011 tour
Moroccan architecture has a classic, serene beauty and order. - J. Frederick F. on our Sept. 2009 tour
Honourable Mention
"The Sahara" - Chris C. on our April 2019 tour. - 15th Week's Photo Contest: Argentina15th week's winner
On his way to get wood, against the colourful background of limestone mountains near Humahuaca. - Francois D. on our January 2019 tour
15th week's runners up
Lucky record-setting day in the Beagle Channel - calm and sunny. - Brenda L. on our January 2019 tour
Dancers rehearsing for a weekend afternoon outdoor tango performance at the romantic Plaza Dorrego, with its cafés the heart of San Telmo barrio. Adjacent to this scenic plaza is historic Mercado de San Telmo open on weekends. - Gerhard E. on our March 2017 tour
Panoramic view of Cerro Campanario on 2014 trip. - Carol S. on our November 2014 trip - 14th Week's Photo Contest: The Baltic States14th week's winner
Vilnius, Lithuania, Sept 2019
Young dancers entertaining at a street festival right outside our hotel. - Joanne S. on our September 2019 tour
14th week's runners up
Hill of Crosses - Shirley J. on our September 2014 tour
Riga in Latvia has the most outstanding examples of Art Nouveau architecture that I have seen anywhere - Chris SJ on our September 2011 tour
There are many shots of Trakai Castle in Lithuania from the outside, but this is what it looks like in the courtyard - J. Frederick F. on our September 2014 tour - 13th Week's Photo Contest: Kenya and Tanzania13th week's winner
When we first arrived, after a night in Nairobi, we travelled to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and immediately saw this Reticulated Giraffe taking a drink at the water hole - Roger E. on our July 2013 tour
13th week's runners up
Kilimanjaro - Viggo D. on our October 2006 trip
Samburu dancers at a shared Samburu-Turkana village in the Samburu National Reserve - Karen W. on our September 2008 trip
Colobus Monkey in tree at the Trout Tree Restaurant in Kenya - Veronica P. on our September 2012 trip
Honourable Mention
Bad hair day, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - Alex T. on our September 2012 trip - 12th Week's Photo Contest: Colombia12th week's winner
WEDDING FESTIVITIES in the streets of Old Town Cartagena. - Lionel C. on January 2016 tour
12th week's runners up
Guatape is famous for its colorful lower ornamental relief panels on the traditional houses lining its narrow cobble stone streets. With a little imagination, this village is like an open-air art scene, ready to become a painting itself - Gerhard E. on our January 2020 tour
Silletero and his flower silletas in Santa Elena - Jacki S. on our February 2019 tour
A friendly rainbow billed toucan, Cartagena Columbia - Dan W. on our Jan 2017 tour - 11th Week's Photo Contest: Vietnam11th week's winner
Halong Bay Evening - James L. on our November 2018 tour
11th week's runners up
Enroute to Viet Minh headquarters north of Dien Bien Phu we stopped at a small village of Hmong and Tay people. They were very welcoming, friendly and allowed us to take many photos. - Barbara M. on our November 2004 tour
LANTERNS taken in Hoi An on November 13, 2017 - Jill C. on our November 2017 tour
Sherry A, Ann J, and Ken J sharing a dugout in the Mekong - Rudy P. on our October 2014 tour - 10th Week's Photo Contest: Croatia10th week's winner
Pula – Ampitheatre
This Roman colosseum is the most complete in the world and to sit inside on the steps was a very special reflective moment for me. - Barbara M. on our May 2015 trip
10th week's runners up
Looking down on Dubrovnik - Carol S. on our September 2017 tour
Plitvice Lakes - Chris S. on our May 2008 tour
Hiking up to the Hvar Fortress offered great views of the port of Hvar on Hvar Island - Ward W. on our May 2013 tour - 9th Week's Photo Contest: Peru9th week's winner
Taken on one of the various stops during our forgettable Andean Explorer train ride from Cuzco to Puno - Lynn P. on our February 2018 trip
9th week's runners up
We had the pleasure of traveling with Pablo in Peru and Bolivia, November 2007. One of our most memorable experiences was meeting the indigenous Uros people living on their "islands" of reeds on Lake Titicaca. - Doris L. on our November 2007 trip
Driving to Colca Canyon and stopping along the way to see the local handicrafts being sold. - Scott L. on our May 2008 Peru trip
Machu Pichu Rainbow - Dan W. on our Feb 2020 trip - 8th Week's Photo Contest: Italy8th week's winner
Back from the edge of the crater on Vulcano - François D. on our September 2011 Italian Isles tour
8th week's runners up
Vatican Museum - Joan S. on our May 2007 Italy tour
Group Exploring - Doris L. on our September 2015 Microstates tour
Taormina, Sicily with Mt. Etna in the background - Samantha H. on our March 2003 tour - 7th Week's Photo Contest: South Africa7th week's winner
A hippopotamus OUT OF THE WATER showing all the scars. It is a rough life!
A game drive in the Thornybush Reserve in 2015. - Rudy P. on our 2015 tour
7th week's runners up
"The Dramatic Peninsula Coast". Taken at the southern tip of Africa where the Atlantic & Indian Ocean meet. - Gary B. on our Sept 2016 Southern Africa trip
The Potholes in South Africa - Hart O. on our October 2015 tour
Taken at a winery stop, a King Protea, open and welcoming - Molly M. on our October 2019 tour - 6th Week's Photo Contest: Portugal6th week's winner
Lisbon, September 2019 - Anto A. on our September 2019 Portugal tour
6th week's runners up
Sunny day on the Porto waterfront - Henry P. on our October 2019 Portugal tour
Douro Valley, Mesao Frio - Carol B. on our September 2019 Portugal tour
Obidos representing a typical street - Rosemay T. on our September 2018 Portugal tour - 5th Week's Photo Contest: Japan5th week's winner
Famous Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji Temple - Scott L. in October 2019
5th week's runners up
Dance competition, Dazaifu-Shi - Eve S. on our April 2015 tour
Spring Evening in Kyoto - J. Frederick F. on our March 2012 tour
'Peace', the universal Japanese salutation - Dara L. on our October 2019 JP2 tour
Honourable Mention
Alistair entertaining us - Daissy O. on our 2001 Japan Festivals Tour with Alastair - 4th Week's Photo Contest: Costa Rica4th week's winner
The sloth was posing in the trees along the canal beside Tortuguero - Ian C. from our Costa Rica trip during February 2016
4th week's runners up
Arenal volcano view from La Fortuna - Anto A. on our January 2019 tour
As we took a boat ride through part of Tortuguero National Park, we saw this Anhinga drying its wings. If their wings are too wet, Anhingas cannot fly. - June S. on our February 2008 Costa Rica tour
Local transportation - Chris C. on our February 2018 Costa Rica tour - 3rd Week's Photo Contest: Central Asia3rd week's winner
Devoted Sufi Followers in Prayer - Mausoleum of Hodja Yusup Hamadani, Ancient Merv, Turkmenistan. - Roger P. on his September 2018 Five Stans trip
3rd week's runners up
Near Lake Issyk Kul Kyrgyzstan - Rita C. on our September 2018 Five Stans trip
Samarkand - Riana R. on our October 2018 Five Stans Trip
Playing Kok-Boru near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, October 2019 - We went to a version of the Nomad Games at a small village near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where we saw local villagers play a variety of games including an exciting game of Kok-Boru - June S. on our September 2019 Five Stans tour
Honourable Mention
The teahouse was from the Minsha Shan sand dunes near DunHuang, China - John Y. on our October 2005 Silk Road tour - 2nd Week's Photo Contest: Greece2nd week's winner
Lines and shadows Agora Athens - Doris L. on her May 2018 tour
2nd week's runners up
- James B. in September 2007
Temple of Apollo at Delphi - June S. in September 2014
Street at the ruins of the Fortress of Mystras. 1249 AD - Carol B. in May 2019
Honourable Mention
Another Typical Day on a Victor Trip - Tour leader and Chief Mischief Instigator: Victor Ramagnoli
Consorts: Terry, Alistair, Rudy
Photo credit to Eralyn M. - 1st Week's Photo Contest: Egypt1st week's winner
High above the Valley of the Kings (or Queens) - Ashley C. on her November 2018 tour
1st week's runners up
Market Day Mayhem. It is an arial view of a market place spanning a large intersection of two major streets. It was taken from the bus as we crossed over a bridge in Cairo. It reflects a way of life and the day-to-day survival of locals vendors and customers in a big city that is truly a world away from mine. It captures a frenetic existence and is rich with culture and color. - George C.
Solitude away from the Karnak crowds. - Dave S.
Here comes our ride across the Nile for a Nubian dinner. - Keith A.