Travel the Globe Through WorldChicago

How many times have you heard folks say, “I would love to see the world, but….” And that “but” often is tied to travel funds—or the lack thereof? So why not bid on fabulous trips to far-off destinations through a cultural fund-raising silent auction and hope you get lucky?

WorldChicago, which helps promote Chicago as a vibrant center for commerce, culture and tourism by hosting visitors, emerging leaders and professional counterparts from around the globe, is sponsoring this silent auction. The “WorldChicago Jet to Japan” cultural fundraiser takes place from 6-8:30pm Tuesday, October 18 at the ever-chic Japonais Restaurant, 600 West Chicago Avenue.

Of course, you won’t get to take these amazing trips absolutely free of charge, but if you get lucky, you’ll get overseas for a whole lot less than you’d normally pay thanks to WorldChicago. Tuesday’s attendees will also get to enjoy sample sake and hors d’oeuvres throughout the night. Among the packages on which you can bid:

Jet to Japan $15,000 value; minimum opening bid, $3,500. Courtesy of American Airlines, win two round-trip Business Class airline tickets valid for travel to any American destination in Japan. Expires Oct. 18, 2012.

Sacramento, San Francisco, Sushi, Sake—California Calls $3,500 value; minimum opening bid, $1,800. Courtesy of American Airlines, win two round-trip Coach airline tickets valid for travel to any of American’s destinations in the contiguous United States; all travel must be completed by October 18, 2012. And courtesy of the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, get a three-night stay at the Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento; a two-night stay at Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco; and a one-night stay at San Fran’s Hotel Adagio with breakfast for two. In addition, VIP sake factory and wine tours are included, as well as a Sacramento sushi dinner and a basket of Sacramento specialties. (These tours are valid until June 2012.)

In the Lap of Luxury $435 value; minimum opening bid, $225. Travel without leaving Chicago with this package, featuring a one-night stay at the downtown Dana Hotel & Spa, with a 50-minute Swedish massage in the mix. The package also includes a $75 dinner for two at downtown’s Saigon Sisters Restaurant.

Class It Up Japanese Style $150 value; minimum opening bid, $80. Get two seats at Chicago Sake for any Level 1 sake class, along with a gift certificate for one class at the Japanese American Service Committee (origami, Japanese language, etc.).

But even though the event’s called WorldChicago Jet to Japan, you’ll find other countries’ cultural treasures on the auction block, as well. Incredible India (value $50, minimum opening bid, $25) includes items gathered during a WorldChicago member’s travels through India. These include a hand-made blouse, Indian print table cloth, Indian note cards and envelopes, bangle bracelets and a jeweled belt.

Want a head start on the Travel competition? E-mail Lexy Gore at Lgore@worldchicago.org with your bid amount. She’ll acknowledge your bid with a reply e-mail and will add your name to the event’s bid sheet. And best of all, you don’t have to be present to win.

Admission is $80 for WorldChicago members and $100 for non-members. So get inspired and work that travel bug out of your system!

Tagged as: WorldChicago, travel, fundraiser, India, Japonais and entertainment

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Maureen Jenkins s a food/travel writer and communications professional who's visited more than 30 countries and territories, lived in Florence, Italy -- and is spending the year in Samois-sur-Seine, a charming village near Paris, France. The self-proclaimed “urban travel girl” talks travel, food and wine – abroad and in Chicago – in “TCW Travel Connection.” Read more of her thoughts on living globally at UrbanTravelGirl.com.