RetreaTours

RetreaTours We make world travel easy, safe, and affordable! Lauren & BJ design and lead small-group Around the World tours, wildlife safaris & Buddhist pilgrimages.

See some of our free travel resources at https://linktr.ee/RetreaTours

Our latest newsletter, hot off the digital presses! mailchi.mp/retreatours/november2024
29/10/2024

Our latest newsletter, hot off the digital presses! mailchi.mp/retreatours/november2024

29/10/2024

Wednesday is Kukur Tihar! 🐕 In Nepal, Kukur Tihar is a holiday devoted to honoring dogs for their loyalty & guardianship. Nepalis decorate their dogs with flower garlands, place a red tika mark on their foreheads as a symbol of blessing and protection, and offer them special treats. If they're lucky, local street dogs will also get some love! This tradition is a meaningful part of the 5-day Hindu festival of Tihar.

Enjoy some scenes from 2021 Kukur Tihar in the Kathmandu Valley!

There are covered bowls all over the town of Side, Türkiye, encouraging people to leave food & water for the street dogs...
26/10/2024

There are covered bowls all over the town of Side, Türkiye, encouraging people to leave food & water for the street dogs and cats.

Side, Türkiye is simply loaded with Roman ruins everywhere you look!
26/10/2024

Side, Türkiye is simply loaded with Roman ruins everywhere you look!

25/10/2024

New city, new sunset views 🧡❤️🩷💛💜

24/10/2024

It’s our last night in Kaş, Türkiye and I’ll miss these beach friends I’ve made 💔 I’m sure there are lots more friends awaiting me in the next town!

Six years ago today we were exploring Lake Bogoria in Kenya, where I took some of my favorite flamingo photos of all tim...
22/10/2024

Six years ago today we were exploring Lake Bogoria in Kenya, where I took some of my favorite flamingo photos of all time!

One of my favorite things about Türkiye & Turkish people is their love for the street dogs and cats. It’s just not a big...
21/10/2024

One of my favorite things about Türkiye & Turkish people is their love for the street dogs and cats. It’s just not a big deal if someone needs a place to crash for a couple hours, no harm done ❤️ (And yes, there is a big push to sterilize them, too—they do very well with that.)

21/10/2024

Do all the good you can with whatever you have on hand.

This morning that looked like sharing some drinking water—in my snorkel mask— with a thirsty street dog (beach dog!) here in Kaş, Türkiye.

You can always make a difference!

PS—this is some serious Dog ASMR! 😂

20/10/2024

Is it a Pokéman? No! Behold, the lowland streaked tenrec, found only in Madagascar!

The streaked tenrec is the only mammal known to use “stridulation” (the act of producing sound by rubbing together certain body parts).

They rub specialized quills together found on their back, as you can hear a juvenile tenrec doing in this video taken at Masoala Forest Lodge.

20/10/2024

*Original video of dog climbing down the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt!*

We’re so happy to share the knowledge that street dogs (and pyramid dogs!) are clever, playful, and capable of SO much more than you might think! I know a lot of folks were worried that the “paragliding dog” got stuck on the pyramid, but it’s all part of a day’s play for them.

In your part of the world, you may not see many stray dogs, but in much of the world, they are a part of the vibrant fabric of society. They form their own relationships with other dogs (and people!) and do what they can to survive and be comfortable, following their own preferences and whims.

Although we believe every dog deserves a loving home, it’s also powerful to watch how strong and resilient these beautiful animals are.

19/10/2024

You can help the street dogs of Egypt on your next visit—when you go to the sites, bring some extra water and “borrow” some extra eggs and meat from your breakfast buffet!

19/10/2024

Egyptian street dogs in Aswan stay safe from traffic… by climbing on TOP of the cars!

19/10/2024

Seems like a good time to share this again in honor of the pyramid-climbing dogs of Egypt! YOU (yes, you!) can help feed and water street dogs on all of your travels, too! Whether it's a collapsible water bowl or leftovers just stashed in a napkin, all of our efforts add up, whether it is dogs at the pyramids or in the next town over!

Hi, I'm Lauren! This is a good time to introduce ourselves to some new followers who care deeply about the dog on top of...
18/10/2024

Hi, I'm Lauren! This is a good time to introduce ourselves to some new followers who care deeply about the dog on top of the pyramid!

My husband BJ and I have been on the road non-stop for 12 years, developing *amazing* tours all over the world AND making street dog friends at every stop along the way. If you enjoy hearing about the fascinating lives of street dogs (and learning how to help them), you are in the right place--welcome!

(This is me and an old friend, Dorje Bear. I met him in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2018 and we became fast friends. When his mange got too bad to stay on the road, we sponsored him to stay at a rescue center, and we recently found him and his sister a loving home in Kathmandu!)

It’s been amazing to see this adventurous dog on the Great Pyramid of Giza go so viral (including our video!) Let’s try ...
17/10/2024

It’s been amazing to see this adventurous dog on the Great Pyramid of Giza go so viral (including our video!)

Let’s try to turn this attention toward HELPING the street dogs of Giza and all over Egypt! They are remarkably sweet animals—amazingly resilient and so forgiving of all of our human faults.

ESMA 'Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals' and Baladi Mabsut are great organizations to donate to ❤🙏

We've driven around Georgia for the past month to design a new itinerary here in this gorgeous country! Bordered by the ...
08/10/2024

We've driven around Georgia for the past month to design a new itinerary here in this gorgeous country!

Bordered by the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Georgia is said to be the birthplace of wine 8000 years ago, and they still make it in traditional clay pots called qvevri.

It's a charming country and we can't wait to bring you here! In the meantime, here are some of our photos from the exploration ❤

We are in the area right now planning a trip that includes Istanbul AND Tbilisi, Georgia, so you can check two more of t...
08/10/2024

We are in the area right now planning a trip that includes Istanbul AND Tbilisi, Georgia, so you can check two more of these cities off your list!

From far-flung destinations to places closer to home, these are some of the most beautiful cities in the world.

BIG NEWS! We've just opened registration for a May 2025 Pilgrimage to Ladakh with Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and Scot...
19/09/2024

BIG NEWS! We've just opened registration for a May 2025 Pilgrimage to Ladakh with Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and Scott Tusa! It is limited to 12 guests (and we had TWO sold out Ladakh trips this year!) so mosey over to the website and claim your spot today!

Pilgrimage to Ladakhwith Scott Tusa & Tricycle: The Buddhist ReviewMay 16–28, 2025 Immerse yourself in Tibetan Buddhism on the rooftop of the world during this all-inclusive, small-group journey to Ladakh, India. We’ll use the Indus River Valley as our home base on this Himalayan pilgrimage in ....

Sunsets are a special time in Masai Mara!
15/09/2024

Sunsets are a special time in Masai Mara!

Grateful to the Maasai for sharing their land and culture with us 🙏
15/09/2024

Grateful to the Maasai for sharing their land and culture with us 🙏

We’re so grateful for the opportunity to visit and support the women’s village of Umoja. For more information, please Re...
15/09/2024

We’re so grateful for the opportunity to visit and support the women’s village of Umoja. For more information, please RetreaTours.com/Umoja

Big safari photo haul!
15/09/2024

Big safari photo haul!

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Videos

Wednesday is Kukur Tihar! 🐕 In Nepal, Kukur Tihar is a holiday devoted to honoring dogs for their loyalty & guardianship. Nepalis decorate their dogs with flower garlands, place a red tika mark on their foreheads as a symbol of blessing and protection, and offer them special treats. If they're lucky, local street dogs will also get some love! This tradition is a meaningful part of the 5-day Hindu festival of Tihar. Enjoy some scenes from 2021 Kukur Tihar in the Kathmandu Valley!

Wednesday is Kukur Tihar! 🐕 In Nepal, Kukur Tihar is a holiday devoted to honoring dogs for their loyalty & guardianship. Nepalis decorate their dogs with flower garlands, place a red tika mark on their foreheads as a symbol of blessing and protection, and offer them special treats. If they're lucky, local street dogs will also get some love! This tradition is a meaningful part of the 5-day Hindu festival of Tihar. Enjoy some scenes from 2021 Kukur Tihar in the Kathmandu Valley!

New city, new sunset views 🧡❤️🩷💛💜

It’s our last night in Kaş, Türkiye and I’ll miss these beach friends I’ve made 💔 I’m sure there are lots more friends awaiting me in the next town!

Do all the good you can with whatever you have on hand. This morning that looked like sharing some drinking water—in my snorkel mask— with a thirsty street dog (beach dog!) here in Kaş, Türkiye. You can always make a difference! PS—some serious Dog ASMR! 😂

Giving water to beach street dogs
Giving water to beach street dogs

Do all the good you can with whatever you have on hand. This morning that looked like sharing some drinking water—in my snorkel mask— with a thirsty street dog (beach dog!) here in Kaş, Türkiye. You can always make a difference! PS—this is some serious Dog ASMR! 😂

Is it a Pokéman? No! Behold, the lowland streaked tenrec, found only in Madagascar! The streaked tenrec is the only mammal known to use “stridulation” (the act of producing sound by rubbing together certain body parts). They rub specialized quills together found on their back, as you can hear a juvenile tenrec doing in this video taken at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Is it a Pokéman? No! Behold, the lowland streaked tenrec, found only in Madagascar!
Is it a Pokéman? No! Behold, the lowland streaked tenrec, found only in Madagascar!

Is it a Pokéman? No! Behold, the lowland streaked tenrec, found only in Madagascar! The streaked tenrec is the only mammal known to use “stridulation” (the act of producing sound by rubbing together certain body parts). They rub specialized quills together found on their back, as you can hear a juvenile tenrec doing in this video taken at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Original video of dog climbing down the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt
Original video of dog climbing down the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt

*Original video of dog climbing down the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt!* We’re so happy to share the knowledge that street dogs (and pyramid dogs!) are clever, playful, and capable of SO much more than you might think! I know a lot of folks were worried that the “paragliding dog” got stuck on the pyramid, but it’s all part of a day’s play for them. In your part of the world, you may not see many stray dogs, but in much of the world, they are a part of the vibrant fabric of society. They form their own relationships with other dogs (and people!) and do what they can to survive and be comfortable, following their own preferences and whims. Although we believe every dog deserves a loving home, it’s also powerful to watch how strong and resilient these beautiful animals are.

You can help Egyptian street dogs!
You can help Egyptian street dogs!

You can help the street dogs of Egypt on your next visit—when you go to the sites, bring some extra water and “borrow” some extra eggs and meat from your breakfast buffet!

Sassy dogs in Aswan, Egypt
Sassy dogs in Aswan, Egypt

Egyptian dogs climb on top of cars to stay safe from all the hubbub! 🤩

Sassy dogs in Aswan, Egypt
Sassy dogs in Aswan, Egypt

Egyptian street dogs in Aswan stay safe from traffic… by climbing on TOP of the cars! #streetdogs

Helping Egyptian Street Dogs
Helping Egyptian Street Dogs

Seems like a good time to share this again in honor of the pyramid-climbing dogs of Egypt! YOU (yes, you!) can help feed and water street dogs on all of your travels, too! Whether it's a collapsible water bowl or leftovers just stashed in a napkin, all of our efforts add up, whether it is dogs at the pyramids or in the next town over! #streetdogs #pyramiddog

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World Travel Made Easy

We specialize in affordable and authentic small-group Around the World journeys, in addition to cultural, meditation, & Buddhist groups around the globe. We like to think that we provide “tours for people who don’t like tours!” Each group trip considers the needs and interests of the individual guests and is handcrafted to deliver the best experience possible.

We are a small, family-owned business with a clear mission: to create itineraries that are authentic, accessible, and affecting. We have lived on the road for 6 years (since January 2013), personally designing the details of each of our custom itineraries. We craft each trip to maximize the greatest good for the greatest number, including our guests, our partners, and the local community.

Keep it Real

Authenticity is crucial to our itineraries. Authenticity informs everything from our choice of cities, hotels, restaurants to the timing of tours to coincide with local festivals when possible. Your time, effort, and interest are precious resources and should be honored with a true experience.