Ethiopia: ‘1000 Places’ author leads trip to ancient hot spots

Patricia Schultz redefined the concept of bucket lists when her book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” hit stores in 2003 and was updated in 2011. It was and continues to be a hit, with a dizzying checklist of the popular and the exotic travel spots.

Now Schultz, who produced a Travel Channel show based on the book, leads a trip to Ethiopia in the spring that visits many UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as the capital, Addis-Ababa.

Highlights of Imperial Ethiopia offered through ET African Journeys include the 17th century imperial capital Gondar; Simien National Park; Axum, the purported site of the Ark of the Covenant; and Lalibela, a church and monastery carved from surrounding rocks.

An optional four-day add-on features hands-on volunteer work at poor schools through Hope for Children in Addis-Ababa. It may involve teaching English or computer skills, or helping to prepare meals.

Date: The tour runs from April 25 to May 4.

Price: $5,399 per person, double occupancy. It includes round-trip airfare from Washington, D.C.; seven nights lodging, intra-country flights and transportation, and meals. L.A.-Washington, D.C. airfare is extra. Group size is limited.

Source: LA Times