Dear Travelers,

People want things that are hard to find, daring and intensive, yet warmly reassuring.  We set off on journeys, certain of our destination, only to discover the journeys most worth taking are never the ones we’ve planned.

In an ever-changing world that never ceases to surprise and provoke, we at Oasis continue to forage to distant and familiar lands with inspiration and wanderlust, venturing off the beaten path and pushing the limits of seeing in new ways.  Our 2008 and 2009 roster of journeys are revisiting some of our tried and true destinations as well as venturing into exciting new territory.

Our updated Indochina traverses the lands of Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos in April 2008, countries deeply rooted in ancient culture and home to some of the world’s greatest civilizations.  Hanoi, Hué, Saigon, the great temples of Angkor, and Laos’ UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang – the best-preserved city on the Asian continent – are only some of the jewels to be experienced on this journey.

Russia is a place of mystery – both haunting and beautiful and brimming over with a proud and colorful culture of enduring fascination.  Our Oasis journey in September 2008 is a luxurious one, beginning in legendary Moscow, a city of renowned Imperial and Soviet landmarks like the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral.  Later we explore the historic and fortified town of Suzdal, dating back to 1024, and Vladimir, once the capital of Russia.  Moving north to the romantic and aristocratic St. Petersberg, we spend three full days exploring the magnificent palaces and elaborate cathedrals including the unrivaled Hermitage, Peterhof, Pushkin, and Peter and Paul Fortress – located on Zayachy Island and designed to defend newly conquered lands obtained from Sweden.  This regal journey is a must for anyone who wants to experience these well known lands in an educated and authentic manner. 

By contrast our Myanmar & Bangkok journey in January 2009 is enigmatic, rich in culture and home to two of the world’s greatest civilizations.  This itinerary is one of the most engaging journeys we offer.  The sublime culture is revealed through the exploration of art, cultural customs and the historic heritage of these lands, sanctified by century’s old tradition.

In February 2009 we are journeying back to luxurious Northern India, a place that beckons the sensual traveler, keen on authentic experience and driven by the ancient culture that is the very pulse of the country. The northern lands are diverse, electrified and full of temples and structures that the ancient civilizations built and are still in use today.  Travel to Varanasi, situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, regarded holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.  Khajuraho was the religious and spiritual capital of the Chandela Kingdom, and Gwalior is a magnificent city that has been the center of several of Northern India’s historic kingdoms.  Combined with the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal in Agra, the Rajasthani capital of Jaipur and the sublime lake city of Udaipur, this voyage will leave far lasting impressions – beyond what the camera and written word can possibly record.

If our fixed dates or destinations do not fit with your travel plans, we are pleased to customize private itineraries for your family, small groups or incentive seminars. We continue to offer tailor-made journeys where we work together with our travelers to create truly unique itineraries that provide insight and portraits of known destinations or places less traveled.
At Oasis we remain committed in our quest to bring our intrepid travelers into intimate, authentic and responsible contact with foreign cultures and different peoples, revealing human truths, honoring cultures and always searching to embrace new experiences.  The triumph of the human spirit – sometimes against all odds – perseveres and provides harbor and sustenance in a process that unites humankind, an evolution of sorts that manifests itself in hope.

Sincerely,

Richard Koegl
Executive Director