It's one thing to ask a question, but can travelers recognize the people and places that make Philadelphia famous just based on a photo? Could you tell the difference between Benjamin Franklin and William Penn? How about Harry Kalas and Bradley Cooper? We put attendees to the test, with the help of a trusty iPad, of course.
I even got in on the action and took the quiz myself. Check it out for yourself to see what picture everyone had the hardest time identifying!
This includes the election of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy opposition party in Myanmar, to parliament on April 1. While her party's swearing in was delayed because of a dispute over the wording of the oath of office, a compromise was agreed to yesterday, and Aung San Suu Kyi was sworn in to Myanmar's parliament today!
Aung San Suu Kyi has already been invited to Europe to attend meetings with high-ranking officials. She also plans to visit Norway to show her gratitude for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her peaceful struggle while on house arrest as a political prisoner for almost two decades.
It seems very fitting that this woman, who has been a symbol of freedom for so many people, will now have a chance to accept the Peace Prize in person! This will be the first time in 24 years that Suu Kyi will travel outside Myanmar, as she had previously feared that the military junta would refuse her entry back into the country.
Yes, that means the Friendly Planet Travel Win the World Facebook Sweepstakes is back on with three more trips for a winner and the guest of his or her choice over the next three months. The first trip up for grabs? A getaway for two to the crossroads of Europe and Asia -- Turkey -- on our Best of Turkey program, valued at more than $5,000.
So how can you win? Since it's the start of Phase II, we're wiping the slate clean. If you entered your information between the months of January and March, you must enter your information again to be entered in Phase II. The good news is that once you've submitted your name, you're in the running for all three giveaways!
As in Phase I, you can earn extra entries into our sweepstakes by inviting your family, friends, coworkers, Facebook friends, and anyone else who would love to win a free trip to enter. For every entry into our sweepstakes from your referrals, you'll get an extra entry for yourself.
Once everything cooled down, I asked Friendly Planet Travel blogger Caitlin to talk to Shari a little bit more about herself, what she's most looking forward to seeing on our Taste of China tour, and other places in the world she hopes to travel to.
What we learned from the conversation is that Shari is quite the traveler -- she's been to Costa Rica, Italy, Egypt, and more! I'm so glad that someone who finds so much passion in travel will have the opportunity to visit another wonderful destination with us.
In the podcast, Shari describes her lifelong goal to visit every continent. Her next trip will probably be to South America, though she can't decide between Machu Picchu or Iguazu Falls as her destination. If she chooses our new Sensational South America tour, she won't have to. It includes both destinations in one great program, and new dates and prices will be posted shortly. So, take a look Shari.
Stay tuned, because we're kicking off the second phase of the Win the World Facebook Sweepstakes on May 1. That means that EVERYONE will have the chance to enter again for three free trips -- Best of Turkey, A Taste of Ireland, and Taj Mahal Express. So starting May 1, visit the Friendly Planet Travel Facebook page, enter your information (even if you already have before!), and your name will be in the pot to win! Hopefully I'll be calling you on June 1 to let you know that you're going on a free trip to Turkey!
Peggy Goldman is a specialty tour operator and travel expert, who owns and operates Friendly Planet Travel, a leading full-service company that specializes in tour deals to exotic destinations at affordable rates.
