Thank you for submitting your stories!!

We would like to thank those who took the time to submit their travel stories for our call-out. We read through some unbelievable moments - some funny, some compelling, some heartbreaking - but all demonstrated how an unexpected experience can change the way we view the world.

Traveling is a multifaceted relationship: a relationship with other people, a relationship with other cultures, and ultimately a relationship with ourselves. If we allow the experience to transpire - if we are open to the connection - travel provides an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with our own spirit.

We are now in the final phases of publishing and will keep you posted on the details.

3rd Annual SAWERA Fundraiser

SAWERA, the South Asian Women's Empowerment and Resource Alliance, is an Oregon-based non-profit that provides free, confidential, and culturally sensitive services to South Asian women and children who are the victims of domestic violence. We invite you to attend the 3rd Annual Fundraiser at the beautiful Benson Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon. The last two years have been an overwhelming success in raising money for our programs that directly benefit the women and children. Thank you for your support!

October 3, 2009
7pm - midnight
Benson Hotel

Formal Indian Dinner, Music, Dancing, and Auction
21 and Over

Tickets are $65/person and available online

We hope you can join us in supporting SAWERA's mission: to support and empower the South Asian community experiencing domestic violence in Oregon.

Happy Independence Day!

On August 15, India celebrates it's 62nd Independence Day! For those of you in the Portland/Seattle area, I encourage you to attend India Day on August 16.

India Day
Pioneer Square
Portland, Oregon
11am - 9pm

Free Admission!

Food, music, dance, and entertainment in celebration of India's heritage.

I will be volunteering at the SAWERA booth until 12pm. SAWERA is an Oregon based non-profit that provides free, confidential and culturally sensitive services to South Asian women and children who are the victims of domestic violence.

Come by and say hello!

Featured Tour: Taste of India

"Indian food contains spices so colorful, so flavorful, that your mouth competes with your eyes."

We invite you to explore India's history and traditions through the art of food. Our Taste of India tour is quickly becoming a favorite among travelers. The opportunity to fuse Indian culture and cuisine is enticing - especially at such an affordable price!

9 days/9 nights
Mumbai - Cochin - Bangalore - Hyderabad - Delhi

Savor India's culinary heritage on a journey from South to North. Each city presents an exceptionally diverse taste and preparation of regional dishes:

Mumbai: Konkoni

Cochin: Ayurvedic

Bangalore: Coorgi

Hyderabad: Biryani

Delhi: Kashmiri and Mughlai

Each tour includes superior hotel accommodations, airfare and transportation within India, guided excursions with entrance fees, breakfast and dinner daily, culinary lectures and demonstrations from local experts, airport transfers, and more.

Please click here for more information.

Why should I use a travel agent?

There are many myths that circulate about travel agents:

"Travel agents really don't know as much as the average consumer."

"Travel agents won't offer as many options because they only have contracts with particular vendors."

And the most popular:

"If you use a travel agent, you will pay so much more. It is a waste of money."

With the internet housing endless options for researching and booking generalized travel, why should you use a travel agency? I believe there are many valuable reasons - for purposes of time, I have prioritized the top three, as it pertains to Sodha Travel:

1. Expertise: Online booking engines, including Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia, provide an avenue for travelers to find generalized deals. However, if you are seeking a customized itinerary, or specialized information on a particular region, the sites lack possibilities. Sodha Travel specializes in India and Nepal - it is what we know and what we love. We can provide options that are unavailable on other sites, including house visits with the locals, an Ayurvedic cooking demonstration, or a private tour of a Bharatanatyam dance academy. If there is a hotel or flight that is showing sold out online, most times we can confirm the reservations. Furthermore, we can answer your questions about train schedules, currency, vaccines, visas, restaurants, water filtration systems, and more.

2. Value: Let's be clear. There is a significant difference between "value" and "cheap." As John Peters, President and CEO of Tripology stated, "If you want cheap, then sure - hit the web and take risks... You get what you pay for." Believe it or not, many people who come to us are surprised at the affordability of using an agency. Why? We have inside connections with vendors, hotels, and operators that are unavailable on published sites. Furthermore, there is the value of time. For many, planning an itinerary in India and Nepal is a complex endeavor - some spend weeks researching and googling only to become overwhelmed by the options. We eliminate the burden of train schedules, trekking permits, and airport transfers so you can focus on what is most important: the experience itself.

3. Advocacy: Sodha Travel is here to assure you have a memorable experience. We are your advocates. If you wish to make changes to your itinerary, we explore the options. If your flight is cancelled 24 hours before departure, we step in. Does a hotel booking need to be extended, train tickets changed, and/or transfers rescheduled? Do you need to access local authorities or the nearest embassy? With associates both in the United States and India, you always have someone available to assist you. Above all else, we provide a detailed list of contact names, phone numbers, and a 24 hour emergency line throughout your trip. It is our philosophy that peace of mind is just as important as the logistics.

Lufthansa Service: PDX - FRA

Many of you have inquired about Lufthansa's nonstop service from PDX - FRA. Sadly, this route is being suspended as of September. Additionally, the NW/Delta nonstop from PDX - AMS will be cut back to a limited number of flights per week. We are hoping that Lufthansa will resume the service in Spring 2010 to serve our PDX clients!

Bhutan: The Royal Kingdom

Bhutan has recently reopened its borders to international visitors. The country is truly a splendid wonder and untouched by Western influences. Even the most privileged travelers consider Bhutan a special destination - and now we invite you to visit this hidden jewel in the Himalayas.

Our customized Bhutan tours can be coordinated by flight from Delhi, Kolkota, and Nepal, or by surface from Darjeeling/Sikkim. The best part: Sodha Travel can process your visa application! Required information is sent to us 6 weeks before departure, along with a payment of $30 USD (amount subject to change). We will email you a copy of the visa approval once received from the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Please contact us with any additional questions about this enchanting country, and we look forward to coordinating your Bhutanese experience!

Tripology

To all of our clients from Tripology: thank you for trusting us with planning your Indian (and Nepali!) experience.

Tripology is an online site that connects travelers to global travel experts. Sodha Travel, being one of the only travel companies in the United States that specializes in India and Nepal, has been fortunate to connect with wonderfully diverse people planning a trip abroad. We love meeting so many fascinating people from around the world who will be traveling to the Indian subcontinent.

I also recommend Tripology for those of you planning a trip to an unfamiliar destination. My cousin recently decided on Belize as her next vacation destination. She asked me, "Who can you recommend that knows Belize?" My response? "Tripology!" It is a terrific resource for all travelers - and best of all, it's free! Visit: www.tripology.com

Golden Experience Tour: 8 Days for $1699 Including Airfare!

At the request of clients, friends and family, we have established two dates this fall for an 8 day, all-inclusive group tour to India's Golden Triangle: Delhi, the capital and illustration of heritage; Agra, the home of the majestic Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, the Pink City of Rajasthan.

This tour includes non-stop airfare from JFK - Delhi, superior hotel accommodations with daily buffet breakfast, comprehensive touring with an experienced guide, entrance fees, ground transfers and transportation, a farewell dinner and more for $1699 per person, double occupancy.

For similar tour packages, many companies advertise a lower price and charge additional fees for optional tours, airline taxes and more. Our Golden Experience package is truly all-inclusive - with no hidden fees! Also included: the experience and support of Sodha Travel, whose passion for India results in a lifetime of memories for our clients.

For more information, please visit: www.sodhatravel.com/itin-goldenexperienceGroup.html

New Regulations Regarding Passenger Names on Airline Tickets

Here’s a new rule that you should know about. Middle names that are included on passports and drivers' licenses will soon have to be reflected on the passenger's ticket when they fly within the US, and by December if they fly overseas.

The requirement from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is supposed to make it easier for travelers, airlines and the TSA to avoid ID hassles at airports. Because the master lists of questionable travelers are apparently in full-name format, the TSA wants to make sure that travel documents conform to its lists. The requirement was supposed to take effect May 15 for domestic travel, but has been pushed back a month or so. The new rule apparently stipulates that passengers must travel under their name as it appears on the ID utilized to board their flight. That typically means a passport or a driver's license domestically, and a passport or "enhanced" driver's license internationally. Under the new rule, when making flight reservations, each airline is supposed to obtain the full name of the passenger and pass it along to the TSA. The ticket and/or boarding pass should exactly match the identification used. The TSA has announced that it will be lenient in case of small differences.