
What we’re about
http://www.socialfundation.com for the full calendar EVERYONE IS WELCOME INTO THE GROUP! (Legal note: The "I Wanted To Do That, . . . Just Not Alone!!!"™ and it's derivations are Trademarked. Trademark infringement will be aggressively prosecuted.)(for permission or to join our collective contact the admin) I wanted to do that... Just not alone! (FREE & SAFE) \ *\* A community is great because of its members, and we need you to make it great!* \ We live in an ever-shrinking world, where the technologies and transportation systems make it easier than ever to connect people from every corner of the world. We also have the fortune to live in a quality and vibrant city that is home to people of diverse backgrounds and life experience. The Austin International Network gives you an opportunity to experience some of the many international cultures that the city hosts, to share your knowledge of cultural heritage, interests/hobbies or professional expertise with other members of the group, and make new friends while doing so. The mission of this group is as implied by the name of the group--we'd like to provide good company as well as a positive and safe environment for members to experience things that, for whatever reasons, you longed for but weren't able to do before. You'll also get to know things that you can do and enjoy in Austin through the meetups proposed by your peers. It is also a hope of our group to promote cross-cultural dialogues, sharing, understanding, and peer supports through a variety of local activities and events, as well as international trips. But we (organizers) are few and you are many, and this means that to work toward these goals we need the proactive participation and supports from at least some members of the community. This group is unique because of our members, and we look forward to meeting you and facilitate the meetup ideas you propose. ——————————————————————————————————— \ Interested in a festival or music performance? Crave for dining at an exotic restaurant? Can't find teammates/players for a sport, hobby, or fun stuff (e.g., bowling, basketball, badminton, dance, or a silly fun game)? *\* Any Member Can Schedule a Meetup at This Group for Free:)* \ This is a forum in Austin where people get to discover the city together in a fun and safe environment. People who are familiar with the city are of course welcome to join us and even provide meeting ideas. Newcomers to Austin (from overseas) are also more than welcome to join us and explore Austin and Texas together! We aim at building a safe and friendly community with people currently residing in Austin or visiting from overseas. You don't need to have experience overseas or be able to speak English to join this group. Every friendly person is welcome in this group! (Including people local in Austin or (originally) from other parts of the world.) If you happen to be traveling to Austin, you are welcome to join our group and events as well:) If you are currently overseas but have a plan to visit or stay in Austin in the near future, still welcome join the group. EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Join our upbeat and friendly international community *& \* Meet People from All Walks of Life \** If you enjoy friendship, activities, music, arts, networking, socializing, parties, learning, sharing, inspiration, personal/professional development, travel, culture, language, and/or some fun, and *you like them for free*, this is the group for you!! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \
Dear friends, This new group is part of an effort for establishing a network of global meetups, currently being fast deployed in major cities worldwide, including *London, Paris, San Francisco, New York, LA, Toronto, Montreal, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Austin, Thailand*... And more to come! Our only agenda is to build up a global community (in the format of meetup groups at this stage), where participants get to mix and mingle in a safe and friendly environment, have fun and adventures together or establish long-lasting friendship and fully enjoy what the city's got to offer. We believe that this service can be offered for free, and we need your participation and encouragement to make it happen. If you are fond of our vision, welcome to join and check it out. Invite your friends who may be interested. We appreciate your supports, volunteering, and valuable inputs, but nothing is mandatory except for mutual respects to other members in the community.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Meetup on Orient Express. Spring in Paris Venice Prague Vienna Budapest IstanbulAustin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, TX
*****The group for this event (May 2025) is filled. International travel takes a lot of planning and it is a little late to join this trip . . . but do not fret! We are doing it again in Sep 2026. CLICK HERE to go to the event*****
Speaking of planning . . .
Here are our other upcoming more elaborate/complex meetup events so you can plan to join us.Aug 10-20, 2025 EPIC MACHU PICCHU! vis Short Inca Trail or Train!!
Aug 10-20, 2025 The Salkantay Trek EPIC MACHU PICCHU!
Sep 15-24, 2025 Bali & Singapore Journey: From Monkey and Elephant Sanctuaries to Urban Elegance
Oct 12-23, 2025 Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek with bonus of Wadi Rum
Oct 19-31, 2025: Petra to the Pyramids. Dead Sea, Sphinx & Nile Cruise
Feb 08-18, 2026 Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey!
Feb 28-Mar 11, 2026 India's Golden Triangle with HOLI and Dubai Extension
Mar 29-Apr 09, 2026 Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Jun 18-27, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jun 27-Jul 06, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari! "Africa’s Best Wildlife Show"
Sep 09-20, 2026 France Culinary Explorer! Food, Wine, Cheese. Cooking Lessons, Tastings AND MORE
Sep 20-Oct 03, 2026 Meetup on the Orient Express
Mar 06-16, 2027 Galapagos Islands ExpeditionFor detailed day-by-day itinerary and more info on any of these trips, fill out our form. You can check-box several events that way.
https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8OR
We do a monthly Q & A Zoom on all our overseas events.
Come to the zoom and ask any questions. Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff. As well as meet us and other attendees.OR
Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions.
We believe in good decent social. This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective of total attendees. In this case the trip is full.
We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events.
Click Here to see and join in on all our other fun events
SOT 200318-10
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
- We like creating meetups so much we are taking it on the road! Come join us!!Link visible for attendees
This event is to help us all plan ahead.
Overseas travel takes a lot of planning in advance. Flights, Time-off, dog sitters . . . Here are our Featured International/Overseas Events so you have the time to get things planned to be able to join.
We started simple and have only gotten better.
Our events are built from scratch and go direct. These are not just some package being re-sold. We create and lead our events. Our events are only posted to meetup. AND . . . they are REAL MEETUP EVENTS!!!
The beauty of meetup is you can come on your own and we help set up the share. We work together as a group and pool resources. So you can pay the lower double occupancy cost and not have a single penalty, unless you wish a solo room.
In other words . . . going as a meetup we get to save money AND increase our fun and adventure.
Come join us on an adventure. You have waited this long. Now is the time to finally create those memories instead of just dreaming of them.
This way you also create new friendships at the same time!!
Jun 28-Jul 11, 2025 Spain and Portugal with Running of the Bulls! (waitlist only)
Aug 10-20, 2025 EPIC MACHU PICCHU! vis Short Inca Trail or Train!!
Aug 10-20, 2025 The Salkantay Trek EPIC MACHU PICCHU!
Sep 15-24, 2025 Bali & Singapore: From Animal Sanctuaries to Urban Elegance
Oct 12-23, 2025 Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek with bonus of Wadi Rum
Oct 19-31, 2025: Petra to the Pyramids. Dead Sea, Sphinx & Nile Cruise
Feb 08-18, 2026 Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey!
Feb 28-Mar 11, 2026 India's Golden Triangle with HOLI and Dubai Extension
Mar 29-Apr 09, 2026 Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Jun 05-14, 2026 Costa Rica Eco Adventure
Jun 18-27, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jun 27-Jul 06, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari! "Africa’s Best Wildlife Show"
Jul 05-14, 2026 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Sep 09-20, 2026 France Culinary Explorer! Food, Wine, Cheese, Cooking Lessons
Sep 20-Oct 03, 2026 Meetup on the Orient Express
Mar 06-16, 2027 Galapagos Islands ExpeditionDo you have questions on ANY of the above?
What to do next?
How to attend?
What to pack?
What's included and not included?
Or any question you might have!!!The most simple thing is to send a meetup message to https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881
In your message say which one and we can get the ball rolling from there and get you info.
The other easy way is to fill out our form. You can check-box several events that way. https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8
ALSO . . .
We have a monthly Q & A video conference call to answer it all!
Rsvp on this event and join us on the listed date.Here is the link to join https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgb
OR . . . If the video call is not a good time for you, or you want specific answers sooner . . . send a note and we will set up a 1 on 1 video call for a time that works for you.
RSVP here and we will send you a reminder too!!
We very much look forward to you joining our very special and super-fun meetup events.
- Portugal & Spain with Running of the Bulls! Gaudi, Paella, Sintra and more!!Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, TX
Dine at the oldest restaurant in the world, visit iconic museums such as Prado and Guggenheim, be amazed at Gaudi's architecture, taste pinxtos, sip good Spanish wine and view the Running of the Bulls from your own private balcony! To top this off...visit Portugal with its rich history, vibrant culture and breathtaking views!
This is just a little taste of what awaits us on this awesome culinary and cultural adventure!
Spain is truly a magical and fascinating country - full of history, culture and oh...so much good food and fun time!!! Portugal's history is intertwined with Spain's, so it makes perfect sense to combine these two destinations and be amazed at the similarities and the differences.
We get to travel as locals, mostly by trains between the cities AND at the best time of year to be able to experience in person The Running Of The Bulls in Pamplona.CLICK HERE to see the photos from our 2022/2023 amazing adventures!
We visit:
- Lisbon (with Sintra an Unesco World Heritage)
- Porto
- Madrid
- Bilbao
- Pamplona RUNNING OF THE BULLS
- Barcelona
Guided tours in each city, breakfast daily and several dinners, museum entrances, tasting menus, Running of the Bulls w/balcony view, transportation throughout the trip and much more!
We travel as a group, and also have the flexibility of hop-on, hop-off tours and museum passes with "skip the line" so you enjoy a complete independence. You can take our organized tours or do your own thing, cater to your special interests, visit other sites and locations in the cities, while still being guided and aided with arrangements. You can do it independently, or you can join new friends traveling with you, and do it together. The idea is come alone, meet new like-minded people and make lifelong memories, without the "one size fits all" tour formula.
Price per person, double occupancy: $4850
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Price for single room: $6450Included:
- 13 nights in first class hotels with central locations
- Breakfast daily
- Dinner at Casa Botín in Madrid, founded in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records https://botin.es/
- Authentic Basque Foodie Tour in Bilbao
- Transportation between the 6 cities
- Arrival and departure transfers from airport to hotels and train stations
- City Sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona
- Entrance tickets and guided tours at Sintra, Prado and Guggenheim museums, La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and more
- Front Row Private Balcony to view (safely from above) the Running Of The Bulls in Pamplona
In addition to the services listed above, what's included mostly comes down to creating an awesome trip at a great value and balanced logistics, making new friends and lifelong memories.
Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals not listed above
x Tips and any personal and accidental expensesThe only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit
Click Here for Secure Deposit Link
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit
Click Here to fill out our google info request form and receive detailed itinerary and inclusions.
Limited capacity of 24 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.We have designed this to include all the "must see" locations.
Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.
Click Here to see all our other fun eventsSOT 2000318-10
- EPIC MACHU PICCHU via Short Inca Trail or Train - With Amazon Jungle ExtensionAustin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, TX
Discover the awe-inspiring journey to Machu Picchu with one of our three distinct options, each offering its own charm and adventure. As a Meetup, we travel as a group and still are able to tailor your Machu Picchu experience according to your preferences and interests.
This post is for those interested in the easier options to get to Machu Picchu, compared to the 5-day hiking trip via the Salkantay Trek.
We are taking The Short Inca Trail. It's a one full day of hiking in the second half of the classic Inca Trek, followed by a full day spent at Machu Picchu. This is the shorter and less difficult alternative to the Salkantay Trek. It is a memorable trip with stunning views of rainforest canopy and ancient historic sights!
The Train version is intended for people with less mobility or those wishing to glamp it a bit. The itinerary matches the Inca Trail group, except the hiking day is substituted by a comfortable train ride.
The third alternative is The Salkantay Trek. This is a 5-Day hike on the ancient and remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snow-capped mountains collide with lush tropical rainforests. Those who are interested in this option, CLICK HERE for the Meetup event.
ALL THREE groups begin together with a few days in Lima and Cusco but will reach Machu Picchu - the culmination, in different ways!
As a special bonus for the Inca/Train group, we have included a 4-day excursion to the Amazon Rainforest! We will explore Tambopata National Reserve alongside our expert naturalist guides, immersing ourselves in lush rainforest landscapes teeming with exotic flora and fauna. Breathtaking vistas of the mighty river and vibrant sunsets await us to make this journey an experience of a lifetime!
Machu Picchu via 2-day Inca Trail and the Amazon Rainforest
Price per person, Double Occupancy $2950
We offer roommate matching for those willing to share.
Single Supplement $550
Secure Deposit Link for 2-Day Inca Trail and Amazon Rainforest $252Machu Picchu by TRAIN and the Amazon Rainforest
Price per person, Double Occupancy $2850
We offer roommate matching for those willing to share.
Single Supplement $550
Secure Deposit Link for Train Option and Amazon Rainforest $253***Airfare is not included***
RSVP to receive detailed Day-by-Day itinerary. If you wish to attend, deposit is the only way to secure your spot. Upon paying the deposit, please fill out this Participant's Form.
The land deposit is refundable up to 90 day before departure.
INCLUDED
- Hotels in Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes and the Rainforest
- Emergency Insurance during hiking and Amazon portion
- Guided Sightseeing Tours in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Amazon Rainforest
- Breakfast Daily
- Welcome Dinner in Cusco
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes after Machu Picchu
- All meals during the Amazon Jungle Adventure
- Hotel/Airport Transfers
- Professional English speaking guides and naturalists
Not Included
- International and domestic airfare
- Any other meals not stated
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Travel Insurance (we can give you a quote for that)
This event is posted to several groups. The number of RSVP does not reflect the actual number of participants. CLICK HERE for the main/central post.
If you need information on this or any of our other international events**FILL OUT OUR GOOGLE FORM **
Got Questions?
Message Marc (screen name Oddie) https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881
Or Anna
https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062OR . . . .
We do a monthly Travel Q&A Zoom. CLICK HERE to RSVP for our monthly A & A Zoom
Come to the zoom, ask questions, meet others attending, be social.
CLICK HERE to join in and see all our other eventsSOT 2000318-10