Dear Friends,

Much has happened in 2006, family changes and a new destination for Teacher treks travelers. We have been very busy but our travel program has finally been completed

In January of 2006 our granddaughter Tayha was born. In December, twin granddaughters, Ava and Elisa were born. Our twins were early but are now out of the hospital and are doing well. We have been so involved helping that our yearly party and Teacher Treks travel schedule for 2007 was delayed. Thanks to all of you who have been patient, referred other to us, and continue to travel with us.

We are planning 2 exciting trips this summer.

Our new trip this year by popular request is a wine tour to both Chile and Argentina. We tour tour Santiago, Chile and the wineries of the Maipo Valley. We visit Valparaiso, a city of folding hills where we ride the famous Cerra Artilliera elevator lift with its beautiful view of the harbor. We also visit the famous beaches at Vina del Mar. Then we fly to Mendoza, Argentina where we take a very scenic drive to Aconcagua National Park, following a route steeped with history. We follow the old Trans- Andean railway as it climbs through the stunning Uspallata valley, a route known as Seven Tunnels. Just before the Chilean border, we arrive at Aconcagua National Park (and take a small trek to Los Horcones Lake), where the imposing summit of the tallest mountain (22,914 feet) outside the Himalayas can be viewed. We visit Puente del Inca (the Incan Bridge). This is a naturally formed bridge over a steep ravine, around which is a complex of thermal baths. On the return route you stop for lunch in the picturesque town of Uspallata. An example of one of our winery visit is the Bodega Alta Vista, a French owned winery specializing in fine wines.. A tour of the winery concludes with a special tasting of their Single Vineyard Malbec, one of the best Malbecs coming out of Argentina. Next we visit Bodega Lagarde, a traditional style winery with many fascinating characteristics, such as a 1942 semillon and a boutique champagne operation. A visit will conclude with a champagne tasting session. A visit and tasting session is complemented by a gourmet lunch in Bodega Ruca Malen. This modern winery is a rising star of Argentine wine and makes a great Cabernet Sauvignon. There you will taste all their range, including their top wine Kinien. You conclude the day with a visit to Bodega Luigi Bosca, one of Argentina´s most famous wineries. If you are interested in great wines this is the tour for you. We complete our tour with a visit to Buenos Aries for tango, fine leather and terrific food.

Our second tour is a China in Depth Tour. As many of you know we spent 2 months in Asia in the fall of 2005. We found wonderful new places in China to explore and have added these great places to our itinerary. Our 17 day china tour includes Hong Kong, express train ride from Guangzhou to Hong Kong (3 Hours long) , Cruise on the Li River, the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, Yangshou with its fog covered rock peaks, Dazu, with its 50,000 rock carvings dating back to 514 AD, Shanghai, Chongqing, Xian Terra Cotta Warriors, Beijing the Great Wall Forbidden City, the marvelous area built for the Olympics and more. If you have not been to China in the last few years you will marvel at the changes .This is an opportunity to see the changes made on the Yangtze since the completion of the dam and the preparation for the 2008 Olympics.